Exciting battles and record performances in Athlone
There was some exciting competition and standout performances at the Irish Life Health National Indoor Combined Events Championships in Athlone IT today (January 21).
Shane Aston (Trim A.C.) edged a thrilling senior men’s competition by 36 points from Roberto James Paoluzzi (Ballymena & Antrim A.C.) with 3,597 points to 3,561. Aston clocked 8.62 in the 60m hurdles, 6.63m in the long jump, 12.43m in the shot put, 1.89m in the high jump and hung on with 2:56.39 in the 1,000m. Eamonn Fahey (Donore Harriers) was third with 3,244 points.
Amy McTeggart (Boyne) defended her senior women’s crown with 3,373 points with personal bests in the 60m hurdles of 9.68 seconds and a 1.72m clearance in the high jump. She recorded 9.43m in the shot put, 5.16m in the long jump and 2:35.44 in the 800m. Laura Frey (Lagan Valley) was second once again with 2,979 points with Karen Dunne (Bohermeen) third with 2,860 points.
Harry Nevin (Leevale A.C.) had a dominant display in the U14 boys with a Championship Best Performance of 2,892 points. Nevin impressive display followed as such: 60m Hurdles in 9.02 seconds, long jump in 5.21m, shot put in 10.93m, high jump in 1.54m and a dominant display in the 800m in 2:24.24. Nevin was well clear in the 800m and added even more daylight between himself and his competitors by turning on the after burners at the sound of the bell for the final lap.
Conor Hoade (Craughwell A.C.) was second with a tally of 2,358 points and Michael Raggett (Kilkenny City Harriers A.C.) was third with 1,972 points.
Reece Ademola followed in the footsteps of his Leevale clubmate in the U15 Boys with a winning score of 2,752 with his 60m hurdles of 9.44 and high jump in 1.69m proving creating the divide between him and his rivals. Jordan Kissane (Tralee Harriers A.C.) was second with 2,386 points and Cian Dunne (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) was third with 2,310 points.
Laura Frawley from St. Marys (Limerick) A.C. triumphed in the U14 girls with 2,894 points from Katie Nolke (Ferrybank A.C.) with 2,620 points and Saidhbhe Byrne (Enniscorthy Juvenile A.C.) with 2,541 points.
Jennifer Hanrahan (Brothers Pearse A.C.) hung in gamely to win the U15 girls with 2,894 points, ironically the same score as the U14 girls, from Niamh McCorry (Annalee A.C.) with 2,844 points and Ava Coyle (Riverstick/Kinsale A.C.) with 2,822 points.
Diarmuid O’Connor (Bandon A.C.) came out on top in the U16 boys with 3,319 points from Iarlaith Golding (Claremorris A.C.) with 2,970 points and David Smith (Letterkenny A.C.) with 2,848 points.
Darragh Miniter St. Marys (Clare) A.C. was victorious in the Youth combined events with 3,317 points ahead of Shane Monagle (Tramore A.C.) with 3,070 points and Nelvin Appiah (Longford A.C.) with 3,003 points.
Rhian Kidd (St. Laurence O'Toole A.C.) added another victory for Carlow in the U16 girls with 2,891 points from Jennifer Leahy (Kilkenny City Harriers A.C.) with 2,775 points and Orla Coffey (Carraig-Na-Bhfear A.C.) with 2,546 points.
Lara O'Byrne (Donore Harriers) was the top youth woman with 3,364 points from Rachel Kelly (Kilkenny City Harriers A.C.) with 3,246 points and Caoimhe Rowe (Trim A.C.) with 2,260 points.
Daniel Ryan (Moycarkey Coolcroo) only competed in the 60m hurdles in the junior men which let Simon Zandarco (St. Laurence O'Toole A.C.) take the win with 3,121 points in a tight battle from his clubmate Jonathan McKenna with 3,034 points. Peter O'Connor (Enniscorthy Juvenile A.C.) was only three points further adrift with 3,031 points.
Cliodhna Blake (St. John's A.C.) stepped up to win the junior women’s with 2,711 points from Eva McPartlan (St. Coca's A.C.) with 2,595 points and Saoirse Reihill (Tallaght A.C.) with 2,131 points.
In the Masters section Snezana Bechtina (Clonliffe Harriers) won the O35 with 2,832 points, Verena Fenlon (St Joseph’s AC) won the O40 with 2,296 points and Margaret Higgins (Corofin AC) won the O50 with 982 points.
In the Masters men Ger Cremin (An Riocht) impressed once more in the O35 with 2,713 points. Kevin Byrne (DSD) won the O40 with 2,422 points and Tommy Greene (St John’s AC) won the O50 with 2,415 points.
For full results click HERE