September 1st will be an exciting day for Irish throwing. This is the date for the inaugural International Throws Festival that will be hosted by Tipperary’s Templemore Athletic Club.
National teams from Ireland, Switzerland, Iceland and Wales will fight for honours at the end of a great year for Irish throwing. All competing countries hope that this will be the first year of this annual quadrangular fixture. A full program featuring all 4 throwing events has been scheduled.
Local athletics fans will be thrilled that strong teams will represent each country, including some athletes competing at the London Olympic Games. As well as Ireland’s leading athletes, leading international athletes are likely to be Ásdís Hjálmsdóttir – Iceland (62.77m, Javelin - Women), Carys Parry – Wales (66.31m – Hammer – Women), Óðinn Björn Þorsteinsson - Iceland (19.80m, Shot Put - Men), Martin Bingisser – Switzerland (67.90m, Hammer - Men), Örn Davíðsson – Iceland (71.50m, Javelin - Men), Lukas Wieland – Switzerland (65.17m, Javelin – Men).
The Irish team is as follows:
Men:
Shot: Sean Breathnach (Galway City Harriers AC)
Discus: Conor McCullough (Crusaders AC)
Javelin: Matthew Martin (North Down AC)
Hammer: Conor McCullough (Crusaders AC)
Women
Shot Put: Clare Fitzgerald (Tralee Harriers AC)
Discus: Clare Fitzgerald (Tralee Harriers AC)
Javelin: Anita Fitzgibbon (DSD AC)
Hammer: Cara Kennedy (Ferrybank AC)
As a bonus, the organisers have also arranged that some high profile internationally known coaches will hold a coaching clinic after the International Throws match. All coaches and young athletes are encouraged to make their way to either of the above events. It’s a great time of the year to get some clear thoughts on throwing technique before you start in to a winter of training. There will be a €5 attendance fee, which covers the competition earlier in the day and the coaching clinic.
Full details regarding times of events are below. Please note that the coaching clinic will start immediately after the competition on the Saturday evening. This will run for approximately 2.5 hours. Any enquiries to David Sweeney – National Throws Coordinator – (087) 2353079 or throws@athleticsireland.ie
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