Aston and O’Connor look to star in Combined Events

Athlone set for Irish Life Health Combined Events

An exciting Irish Life Health National Indoor Combined Events are set to take place in Athlone IT on Saturday (January 19th).

Kate O’Connor (St Gerard’s Dundalk) looks set to star on the women’s side in the U20 pentathlon. O’Connor recently set a national senior record in the event which was subsequently eclipsed on Thursday (January 17) by Grace McKenzie in the US representing McNeese who scored 4,211 points.

O’Connor is the ultimate competitor and that new mark is still within her compass – her personal best 4,174 points.

The leading senior women’s athletes on the entry list are experienced campaigners Karen Dunne (Bohermeen) and Laura Frey (Lagan Valley).

On the men’s side Shane Aston (Trim) will be looking for a hat-trick of senior men’s titles but has an interesting challenger in Gerard O’Donnell (Carrick-on-Shannon).

O’Donnell is more renowned as a hurdles expert – he is currently reigning national outdoor 110m hurdles champion – but has been adept in the multi-events in his juvenile days in Leitrim. It looks set to be an exciting duel.

Brian Lynch (Old Abbey) will be looking to add the junior junior men’s title to his collection having won the youth crown last year. Lynch competed in the European Athletics U18 Championships in Gyor, Hungary in the summer.

Harry Nevin (Leevale) and Jack Forde (St Killian’s) are two of the leading entrants in a competitive youth category.

Ava Rochford (Ennis Track) has impressed in the combined events and will be a leading entrant in the U15 girls while Laura Frawley (St Mary’s Limerick) is one of the key competitors in the youth section.

Ani Rebegea (Metro/St Brigid’s) will be one of the leading female masters competing on the day. Leading male masters’ athletes include Ger Cremin (An Riocht) and Trevor McGlynn (Omagh Harriers)

 All told there should be plenty to look forward to from the Juveniles right through to the Masters.