The new Meadowbank Indoor Arena in Magherafelt had the ‘wow’ factor at the NI & Ulster Age Group championships on Saturday 15th March, the third competition in this indoor series where over 300 juvenile athletes took part. Competitors and athletes were impressed by this new indoor arena and were delighted to have the opportunity to compete in this facility. Currently the largest of its kind in Europe, the new state of the art Meadowbank Sport Arena is designed to bring sports facilities into the 21st Century. The event is supported by Magherafelt District Council and organised jointly by Athletics NI & Ulster Athletics. The relays got the event off to an exciting start and created a great atmosphere in the large facility. The Ulster clubs came out on top in the 4 x 100m 96 and 97 age groups with Monaghan Phoenix, Annalee, Cranford & St. John Bosco. In the older age groups Ballymena & Antrim and City of Derry were the main contenders with other wins from Lagan Valley and St. John Bosco. The long jump competition had a very large field from both girls and boys. Ciaran Corrigan of Shercock won the 96 age group with a jump of 4.07m and also grabbed the Shot title- a clear winner with 9.46m ahead of 2nd placed 7.71m. Long jump category winners were Katy McGillion (Strabane TC), Amber Barrett (Cranford) and Oisin Gallen (Finn Valley). UU Jordanstown winner Hannah Todd also took the 200m (91) title ahead of programme cover star Janelle McGurk (Mid-Ulster). The 600m 97 final was won by Laura Greer (Dromore) in 1.59.4 and Conall Kirk (96) in 1.53.8, Sharon McGroddy (1.52.9). 800m winners: Darren McBrearty (Letterkenny), Rachel Gibson (CoL) and Simon McCluney (LV) and Breda McGinty (Finn Valley) who also won the 1500m. The top winners in each event qualify for the All-Ireland Juvenile Champs in Nenagh in April. (Please note all entries have been processed and sent off). View the Age Group Champs page under fixtures for full details and events in Nenagh. Full results are available to view at www.niathletics.org . Also see the photo gallery for all the official event photos from the weekend and of the new arena. Results
