Last weekend was a busy one for the national squad athletes and coaches. Two sessions were held – one in Bandon (shot and discus) and another in Santry (hammer, javelin)

The throws weekend in Bandon had an objective of providing coaches and athletes with the opportunity to try the rotational shot technique, one favoured by many international shot putters and to give regional/national standard athletes a coaching opportunity closer to home. Athletes from regional and national squads participated along with their coaches/parents. The coaches involved over the weekend were Dennis Roscoe a renowned UK shot and discus coach with many years of experience of coaching international throwers, Sean Breathneach and Michael O’Brien ( both National throws squad coaches).
Local young athletes were given the opportunity to try the shot and discus for the first session with Dennis and Sean. This was followed by the rotational shot clinic. Dennis has done some work in the past few years with the Irish throws squad and was delighted with the progress made by a number of the Irish shot putters in trying this technique. Some of the other throwers embraced the new technique and were showing vast improvements by the end of the weekend.

There followed a discus session with the national squad throwers run by Michael and Dennis together. This was followed with a strength session in a local gym.

On Sunday we went to the Bandon AC grounds where the shot/discus throws session took place. Plenty of opportunity was given to fine-tuning technical issues. This was followed up with a med ball session and finished off with a core stability workout. All in all a busy weekend for Southern and national squad throwers. Many thanks to the members of Bandon Athletic Club for their kind hospitality over the weekend, and to Bandon Grammar School for the use of their facilities.

(Photos courtesy Bandon AC)

In Dublin the javelin and hammer group met up for a one day throws squad. Nicola Coffey and Sean Egan(national throws squad coaches) led the hammer group, which was split in two in order to maximise attention to athletes. Hammer throwers had a variety of specific exercises, med ball work, drills and throws in the morning and completed the day with a strength and conditioning session in the afternoon with Dave Sweeney (National throws squad). The javelin group was led by Dan Kennedy and Bart Rogers (National throws squad) and did a technical indoor session, followed up with throwing and strength and conditioning work with Dave. Dan (helped by Rachel) complemented the work with video analysis for the throwers.

(Photos courtesy Dan Kennedy and Rachel Bolger)

(Photos courtesy Dan Kennedy and Rachel Bolger)

Many thanks to all the national squad athletes and coaches for their hard work and enthusiasm over the weekend. A shot putt clinic with John Farrelly (National throws coach) takes place this Saturday in Templemore. If interested please contact Ailish O’ Brien on 085/7268849 or by email: ailish.obrien@itcarlow.ie

(Photos courtesy Bandon AC)