Darragh Whelan wins again as Limerick athletes excel at National Juvenile Championships

123.ie National Juvenile Championships Day 3 Tullamore

DARRAGH Whelan continued his superb 2024 by taking the Boys U14 1500m title and obliterating the championship record in the process on Day 3 of the 123.ie National Juvenile Championships in Tullamore.

The Limerick AC athlete stopped the clock on 4:17.18 secs, destroying Mustafa Nasir of Tallaght’s 13 year record of 4:22.87 in the process. This is Darragh’s fourth National title this year.

Dooneen AC’s Emer Purtill was also in top form taking Gold in the U16 Javelin, with a PB throw of 42 metres. Leagh Moloney added another Gold medal to her already large collection as she took top honours in the U19 triple Jump, clearing 11.06m.

Others to medal included Josh Devlin (Emerald) 3rd in the Boys U14 2Kg Shot Put in 10.25m, Rosie Gavin from Limerick
AC was 3rd in the U18 200m in 25:56 and Sizothini Ndhlovu, of Dooneen, took bronze in the U17 200m in 22:55.

Limerick were 7th place County Women’s team in the National League Finals on Sunday.

RUN KILKEE

Kilkee in the ‘Banner’ County has served as a popular holiday location for Limerick people for generations. And in balmy conditions the Treaty athletes certainly ‘brought home the bacon’ last Saturday.

Murna Griffin O’Malley, now of Limerick Triathlon Club, took top honours in the Half Marathon, crossing the line as 1st Woman in 1:28:30. Those to feature in the Men’s race included Kieran O’Brien (Dooneen) 10th , 1:21:32, Joe Laffan (Limerick AC) 11th in 1:22:45 and Edwin Torrie (Dooneen) 13 th on 1:23:34, The West Limerick pair of Karl Downe 1:28:22, 25th and Noelle Aherne clocked 1:28:22 and1:42:31 respectively.

Limerick native Kevin O’Flynn and uncle of Dooneen’s Shona was 1st M70 in 1:46:49. Derek Mullane of Limerick AC ‘podiumed’ in the 10K taking 2nd place in an excellent time of 37:45; 18th Alan Rice Dooneen 42:03.

BRANDON BAY 10K, HALF-MARATHON

Mike Sheehy, of West Limerick, made his way to Kerry where he finished 4th in the Half-Marathon in a time of 1:24:14.

Liz Leonard, of Kilmallock AC, acted as a 'guide' to Ross Gallagher who took top honours in the 10K ‘Visually Impaired’ category.

APPLE 5K, CORK

Pádraig O'Donnell and Mike O'Brien (both West Limerick) ran in the Apple 5k in Hollyhill, Cork last week as part of the Cork BHAA race series. Pádraig came in 17:12 (11th), followed by Mike in 18:54 (35th). 

TRAIL

Sean Quirke, Bilboa, won the IMRA Glen of Aherlow/Lisvernane Hill Run. With warm, sunny conditions, the route had a mix of hills, forest, trail and some fast descents, also taking part were Sinead McDermott, Andrew McMahon and his father Brendan.

TRAINING TIP

“Recovery is where you improve” – Joe Chawke, Dooneen AC coach

FIXTURES

The 123.ie National Masters Track and Field Championships take place next weekend in Tullamore.

The Dooneen duo Shane O’Sullivan and Tim Ryan will be amongst those hoping to add more medallions to their collection.

FIT4LIFE

Following the success of last year’s programme West Limerick AC are holding another Fit4Life programme at the Regional Athletics Hub from late September onwards. A 5K for participants will be held at the ‘hub’ at the end of the ‘course’. Expression of interest is sought.

2024 OLYMPICS 

Athletics Limerick congratulates Sarah Lavin on possibly the honour bestowed upon any Limerick athlete, by bearing the Irish flag at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, we wish her the best in the 100m hurdles.

2005

Sarah Lavin won Gold in the U12 100m at the Community Games National Finals in Mosney.