Championship and Relay Action continues in Tullamore

The Irish Life Health Juvenile B Championships and Inter Club Relays brought the heat to Tullamore today (16th July),  as athletes from across the country battled it out for medal glory.

The championships were host to a number of Ukrainian athletes competing on behalf their clubs for the first time since coming to Ireland in recent months. Members of the wider athletics community hosted a BBQ for the athletes in Tullamore after the competition.

In Championship action, Patrick Neary (Crookstown Millview AC) in the U16 Boys 100m sprint, edged ahead of Richard McGrath (Galway City Harriers AC) to claim the championship title in a strong time of 12.42.

Grace Delahunty (Kilkenny City Harriers) produced a stellar performance across the U16 Girls 100m, winning the gold medal in 13.33. Following closely behind were Chloe Reck (St Killians AC) and Ava Palmer (Newport AC).

Star of Laune AC’s Ciara Moore took gold in the U12 Girls 600m with 1:50.07 on the clock. It was a dash for the finish line between Saorla Gilligan (Finn Valley AC) and Chloe McCarthy (Youghal AC), coming up behind Moore, with only a hundredth of a second between them in the medal deciders. Gilligan claimed the silver in 1:51.18 and McCarthy taking bronze in 1:51.19.

In the U14 Boys 800m Finn O’Neill (St Senans AC) came out on top, handling a hot track with ease in 2:19.98. Matthew Mahony secured silver for Midleton AC, Cian Manning bringing the bronze back to Leevale AC.

Daniel McDonald (Ferbane AC) threw 11.29m in the U15 boys shot put to claim his gold medal as well as the furthest throw of the day across the championships.

Tullamore Harriers own Isabel Browne keeps the gold medal in the host stadium for the U14 girls shot put after her 7.62m throw.

Leah Keyes (Raheny Shamrock) reached an impressive 1.38m in the U16 girls high jump to secure her championship title.

Bremer Harris (Inbhear Dee AC) set 1.40m was the height to beat in the boys U15 high jump in the opening jumps as he claimed the gold medal.  

There were perfect conditions for those competing in the Long Jump, with Galway City Harriers Richard McGrath reaching 4.81m to claim the U16 boys’ championship title.

Amelia Walsh (Crookstown Millview AC) secured her U16 Long jump medal, with one of the furthest distances of the day at 4.72m.

After waking up to the news Team Ireland had reached the mixed 4x400m World Championship Finals, there was a buzz throughout the Inter Club Relays this afternoon.

Ratoath AC produced a suite of incredible teams, securing gold medals in the U19 Boys 4x400m, U19 Girls 4x400m, U18 Girls 4x400m and U19 Girls 4x100m, with a number of silver and bronze medals secured in other categories too. Each team were quick out of the blocks, working right from the start to take the lead and with tight baton changeovers.

The U17 Boys of Carraig na bhFear AC secured an impressive 3:55.63 in their 4x400m relay. It was a strong performance from the young relay team, with smooth baton changes and quick reactions.

Leevale AC claimed the U19 boys 4x100m relay gold medal in a quick 44.79. It was a gripping relay as the Leevale side worked to fight off a Ratoath AC team with a neck and neck battle at each leg.

The U15 Girls team from Kilkenny City Harriers put in an incredible performance in the 4x100m final for the gold medal, crossing the finish line with a total time of 50.10. Ratoath AC and Blackrock AC followed closely behind for the silver and bronze respective medals.

After three tough heats, the U14 girls 4x100m final was filled with excitement as the teams took to the start line. Dooneen AC came out on top after the final leg with 50.80 on the clock. Kilkenny City Harriers and Craughwell AC were quick on Dooneen AC’s heels across the finish line consecutively in second and third.

Championship action continues tomorrow with the Irish Life Health Junior & U23 Championships getting underway from 10am in the Tullamore Harriers Stadium.

For all the details to the Irish Life Health Junior & U23 Championships please see here.

Link to Results: HERE