Foster flies as records fall in Abbotstown

POSTED:

Foster flies as records fall in Abbotstown

Amy Foster (City of Lisburn) sped to a national 60m record of 7.27 seconds on the second day of an exciting Irish Life Health National Indoor Championships in the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena in Abbotstown (February 18).

Foster was first across the line a very fast 60m where Joan Healy (Bandon A.C)was an agonising one  hundredth of a second off the world indoor standard placing second in 7.31. Ciara Neville (Emerald A.C) wasn’t too far off either in third in 7.35.

Sean Breathnach (Galway City Harriers) gets better with age and at 39 he set a new national indoor shot put record of 18.30m to win gold. John Kelly (Finn Valley) had a good second with 17.53m.  

On the other end of the spectrum Ellen McCartney (City of Lisburn) was another to set a record (U20) to win the women’s pole vault with a best of 3.72m in what was a big entry.

It was bittersweet for Adam McMullen (Crusaders) who was supreme in the men’s long jump winning with a monster jump of 7.99m – a mere centimetre off the magical 8m mark and the national indoor record of Ciaran McDonagh.

Phil Healy (Bandon A.C) took a commanding victory in the women’s 400m in 53.10 which was another world indoor standard with Catherine McManus (Dublin City Harriers) running another pb in second in 53.81. Sinead Denny (Dundrum South Dublin A.C) held down third in 54.31.

Andrew Mellon (Crusaders A.C) impressed in the men’s 400m to win in 47.32 with Brandon Arrey (Blarney/Inniscara A.C) scoring an outright pb of 47.57 in second.

Elizabeth Morland (Cushinstown A.C)was a slight surprise in defending her 60m hurdles indoor title in 8.43 to Sarah Lavin’s (U.C.D A.C) 8.45. Lilly-Ann O’Hora (Doneen A.C) nabbed the bronze in 8.51.

Matthew Behan (Crusaders A.C) also caused a stir in the men’s 60m hurdles to win his first national senior title in a big personal best of 7.84 seconds ahead of the fancied Ben Reynolds (North Down A.C) in second in 7.88. Shane Aston (Trim A.C) took third in 8.33.

Leon Reid (Menapians A.C) won on the double once more in the 60m and 200m in times of 6.72 and 21.36 respectively. His 200m win was most impressive from lane 2 with Thomas Barr (Ferrybank), dropping down in distance, unable to take advantage from lane 6 and being just edged out of the medals.

Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank) took a commanding victory in the women’s 200m in 24.00.

Alanna Lally (UCD) was another to win her first national title in the women’s 800m where she dominated to take gold in 2:08.71.

Mark English (U.C.D A.C) was majestic to win yet another men’s 800m title in 1:53.53 – two seconds clear of Karl Griffin (U.C.D A.C) in 1:55.14 and John Fitzsimons (Kildare A.C) in 1:55.20.

It was arguably the most impressive national title he has won to date and his turn of pace on the final lap was supreme as he clocked 24/25 seconds for the last 200m.

Emma Mitchell (Queens University A.C) dominated the women’s 1500m to win in 4:16.53.

Kieran Kelly (Raheny Shamrocks A.C) was getting the statisticians’ pages turning as he won the 1500m title convincingly in 4:08.70 – he now has national medals over 400m, 800m and 1500m. Garry Campbell (Dunleer  A.C) and Eoin Pierce (Clonliffe Harriers) won their first national senior medals in a tactical race in second and third in 4:09.61 and 4:10.33.

John Travers (Donore Harriers) has been building on his tactical acumen and he won the 3,000m in 8:25.21 from defending champion Eoin Everard (Kilkenny City Harriers) in 8:25.74.

Saragh Buggy (St Abban’s) reaffirmed her position as the number one female triple jumper in the country with a hop, skip and jump of 13.02m.

Barry Pender (St Abban’s) saved the best for last for the crowd with a swashbuckling performance to win the men’s high jump  with 2.24m which brought a huge roar from the fans and sent them home happy.

To read the report of day 1 click HERE and for full results go to live.athleticsireland.ie

Newsletter sign up

Sign-up for the Athletics Ireland E-Zine with exclusive interviews, coaching news and offers!

Which of the following best describes you?