Limerick Athletics - Weekly News Update

All-Ireland Schools Cross Country

BALLYBRIT Racecourse in Galway City was the venue for the climax of the Schools Cross-Country season and Limerick athletes did not disappoint.

The standards Darragh Whelan has set the past few years meant that victory was almost expected in the Junior Boys.

And win he did although the Castletroy student only pulled clear with 400m to go on this occasion with the margin at six seconds at the end.

On the back of his many outstanding performances, Darragh has gained selection for the Irish Schools Cross Country International team who take on England, Scotland and Wales in Falkirk, Scotland on Saturday, March 22.

Well done Darragh on a very well earned first Irish vest and no doubt it will be the first of many.

There was a superb bronze medal for the multitalented Ellen Goggin, of Crescent College Comprehensive, as she was third in the Intermediate Girls' contest. She was actually close to second place in a tight contest.

Ella Grace Osborne moved up from 15th to 8th position in the last 500 yards to secure here second Irish cap last weekend in the schools cross country.

Both girls have also gained Irish selection for the forthcoming schools international, a second cap for Ella while Ellen also represents Ireland in soccer. Well done to both Girls who have been amazingly consistent the past few years.

Leaving Cert student Alan McCutcheon was a strong 25th for Crescent College Comprehensive in the Senior Boys race.
Well done to all.

National U20, U23 & Masters Track and Field Championships

U20 and U23
Taking place at Abbotstown Aaron O’Connor of Limerick AC was the sole gold medallist from the Treaty County as he won the U23 Triple Jump on 12.69m.

Dooneen’s Leagh Moloney took silver in the U20 Triple Jump (11.18m). Clubmate Destiny Lawal was third in the Women’s U20 60m in 7.58 secs and 5th in 200m 25.37.

Aaron Lynch, of West Limerick AC, ran a fast tactical race to win heat 2 of the U20 1500m in a time of 4:20:36

Masters

Olga Nedvede of Dooneen took outright Gold in the Women’s Shot Put with a best throw of 11.89m, well clear of the field.

Clubmate Shane O’Sullivan added to his medal collection with Gold in the M40 400m in 55.45 secs. Niall Counihan of Bilboa
won the Masters Long Jump overall clearing 5.91m.

Destiny Lawal of Dooneen was third in the Women’s U20 60m in 7.58 secs and 5th in 200m 25.37

Former Dooneen AC ‘Chair’ Tony Fitzgerald was second M50 in 2:14 for Nenagh Olympic. Well done to all

There was gold for Limerick AC at the All-Ireland Masters in Athlone at the weekend in M60 Pole Vault where Jim O'Connor vaulted 2.8mtr equalling the national record. Well done to all

Kilfinny 10k

A fundraising 10km run for Scoil Chiaráin in Kilfinny was held on Sunday 9th. Gillian O'Regan, of West Limerick, was first female home in a time of 44:46 with clubmate Mike Sheehy was second male in a time of 35:43. 

Also Declan Walsh (39:55) and Deirdre Bailey (49:44) were winners of the Bill Fox Memorial 10K in Ballylanders last Sunday.

Around the Country

There was notable achievement last week as Ballinacura native Charlotte Phelan was second lady in the Kinvara ¾ marathon in a time of 2:26:30. Charlotte is the granddaughter of former Limerick Leader Sports editor Cormac Liddy.

John Kinsella, of Treaty Track Club, took gold in the IMRA Trail Half Marathon in Clonmel.

Abroad
A number of Limerick athletes made their way to the Portuguese capital for the Half Marathon. The Dooneen duo of Paul Naughton and Patrick O’Regan crossed the line in (1:26:15 pb) and 1:34:23 respectively.

Liam Kennedy, of West Limerick, stopped the clock on 2 hours 30.

A new club is born

Treaty Track has been formed with Timmy Crowe as Chairperson. It will serve Senior and Juvenile members in the Castleconnell area. We look forward to their participation in County events in the year ahead.

1952

Wonder Hill won the Tug of War at the Limerick County Track and Field Championship in Doon, defeating Reenavanna Harriers in the final and Crecora in the semi-final.

Fixtures

The Limerick County 4 Mile Road Championship takes place on Sunday, March 16, in Kilmallock.

Enter through Justraceevents.com

The Michael Rejmer 10 Mile hosted by Dooneen AC takes place Sunday, April 13 at 11:00am from Limerick Racecourse. Entries via Eventmaster (€20, or €15 per person for the new 2x5 mile relay).

The Limerick County Track and Field Championship has been confirmed for weekend of May 11-12 in Newcastle West.

The Inaugural Limerick Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, August 3, 9:00am at TUS, Old Cratloe Road. Part of the Run Limerick Series. Entries available via Eventmaster.

Training Tip

"It can often be very advantageous to use the opportunity between the end of the indoor or cross county season, and the start of the track season, to take a brief deload period from training. Doing so can allow the body to regenerate, the mind to
refocus, and can help foster renewed and enhanced motivation." – Mike Carmody