National Senior Track and Field Championships
The first weekend National Senior Track and Field Championships was held Saturday and Sunday last weekends in Santry, Dublin, with many of Galway’s top athletes competing, on what was a hugely exciting weekend of action.
Top billing went to Sean Breathnach of Galway City Harriers who secured yet another National title via a comprehensive victory in the Weight for Height event, with a massive best throw of 4.60 metres. narrowly missed breaking the National record of 4.95m with his final throw.
David Carter of GCH excelled, clocking a personal best of 15.31 in the 5000m heats on Saturday and then ran a strong race in the final on Sunday earning himself a bronze medal in the U23 category in another quick time of 15.38, finishing in 15th place in the combined Senior/U23 race
Two Galway athletes made the final of the Women’s 400m Sunday, as Craughwell’s Sinead Treacy, and GCH athlete Laura Nally placed a fine fourth and fifth respectively behind Sophie Becker of Raheny.
Sprinter Robert McDonnell of GCH was another up and coming star who impressed, as he made the Senior Men’s 100m final, placing 9th overall with a time of 11.08 seconds.
Keith Fallon of the city club was another to make a National final, placing 11th overall, in 4.06, in what was the most exciting race of the championships, with Paul Robinson pipping Sean Tobin on the olive for a dramatic win.
William Fitzgerald placed 7th for Craughwell in the Junior Men’s 5000m final in 16.08
Other Galway athletes who competed on the National stage included GCH sprinters Owen Scully, Alex Lee and Jack Dempsey in the 100m heats, and Craughwell’s Sinead Gaffney, Jack Miskella, Sean Cotter, Kyle Moorhead and Oisin Davis, all of who ran well over 1500m.
Next weekend sees Days three and four of the National championships take place, with many of this week’s competitors in action again, with the likes of Sean Breathnach and Brendan Staunton chasing more silverware in Shot Putt and Discus, along with a strong track contingent from GCH and Craughwell AC including Keith Fallon, and Sarah Lanigan of GCH who will look to go well over 800m.
Road Racing Fixtures
East Galway AC will host a 5k event on 29th August next in Skehana, with the race off at 7pm. Race headquarters is Skehana Community Centre and entry is online only on Pop Up Races website.
