Limerick Athletics - Weekly News Update

AAI Games and National Indoor Combined Events

TAKING place in Abbotstown , the AAI games provide an opportunity for competitive action and to set ‘qualification times’, while on Sunday others would compete for National titles in the Combined Events.

On Saturday last, Ciara Sheehy (Emerald) followed up last week’s U23 victory with 1st place in the Shot Put in 13.62 Amy O’Donoghue from Limerick but now of Dundrum South Dublin won the 1500m by just over a second 4:22.41.

Sophie Meredith of St Marys was a close 2 nd in the Long Jump in 6.04m while Roisin Harrison was 2 nd in her 400m heat in 54.52.

Darragh Murphy (Limerick AC) was 3 rd in his 60m heat 1 7.22 secs, and later 6th in 7.28 secs in his second 60m heat. Jim O’Connor of Limerick AC was 6 th in Pole Vault clearing 2.40m.

The stand-out Limerick performance came on day 2 however as Dooneen’s Emer Purtill took the Girls U16 National Pentathlon title with a comprehensive victory on 3230 points.

It was her fourth national title for combined events. She has previously won national titles for Javelin, Shot Put and Relays. This event also doubles as the Munster combined events championships so she took Munster U16 title as well.

Her brother Robert was in action in the U14s. He finished a very close 4th after missing out on points in the Long Jump, but took a silver medal for his efforts in Munster Championships.

Laura Frawley, from Limerick, but now representing Nenagh, took Silver in the Senior Women’s pentathlon, having led going into the final event (800m).

Mike Sheehy (West Limerick) was 3rd in a superb time of 35:36 in the Kerins O’Rahilly 10K in North Kerry.

Raheny 5 Mile

Some times included Aislinn Nic Domhnaill 28:55, Carmel MacDomhaill 44:24 and Marcella McGrath 37:51.

Parkrun

Murna Griffin, back in Ireland from Chicago ran an impressive time of 18:57 on her to ‘first woman’ at UL. The husband and wife pair of Mark Whelan and Susan Murnane finished ‘Mungret’ in times of 20:22 and 20:26 respectively.

International
Sarah Lavin (Emerald A.C.) stormed to another personal best of 7.91 to finish third in the 60m Hurdles in the her opening race of 2024 at the World Tour Gold meet in Astana Kazakhstan.

She was also recognised for her achievements the past year by being awarded the ‘Her Sport’ Sports Personality of the year.

Publication
Frank O’Mara’s Memoir ‘Bend, don’t break’ will be available in book shops from February 19th.

Tip of the week: “When performed correctly, plyometrics/reactive strength can be of enormous benefit to sprinters and distance runners alike. Double leg exercises which are not too technically complex to perform can be a good place to start”- Mike Carmody

Fixtures

The North Munster Schools XC Championships take place Thursday in Salesians Secondary School, Pallaskenry. These are mandatory qualifiers for the Munster finals in Tramore Valley Cork on 27th February.

The Milford Hospice 10K Run and Walk takes place on Sunday 11th February, entries through

Eventmaster

The Transfer window for the Adare 10K is currently open until 9th February, will William Maunsell
and Ide Nic Domhnaill retain their titles?

The Limerick County 4 Mile takes place in Kilmallock on Sunday 24th March

The Michal Rejmer 10 mile race is adding a new prize category of club and corporate mixed teams. This adds an extra level of competition and excitement to the event.

Mixed teams will consist of four athletes to score and must have at least one female athlete. This will add an extra level of excitement and camaraderie to the race so let’s get training and organizing teams.

It takes place on 14th April and entries are through Eventmaster.