DOUBLE GOLD FOR MILLET AS SWINNEY CLAIMS SPRINT TITLE
Ruby Millet and Oliver Swinney lit up today’s action at the 123.ie Junior and U23 Indoor Championships hosted at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena (January 14th). A record entry saw a host of impressive performances across the 8-hour schedule, but it was the St Abbans AC star who ultimately signed of the day in style, taking long jump gold (U23) in 6.31 CR having already secured the 60mH gold medal in 8.47 earlier in the day.
Oliver Swinney (Speed Development Project Track AC) built on last weekend’s performance to claim the U23 sprint title impressively in 6.77 in the absence of Israel Olatunde.
The first track medals of the day were decided in the 1500m, where recent European Cross Country Championships silver medallist (U20 team) Sean McGinley of Finn Valley posted a 3.52.78 to claim a superb gold.
U23 Report
The first track medals of the day were decided in the 1500m, where recent European Cross Country Championships silver medallist (U20 team) Sean McGinley of Finn Valley posted a 3.52.78 to claim an impressive gold, while Kelly Breen (North East Runners AC) claimed first place in the women’s 1500m race in 4.41.39.
Oliver Swinney (Speed Development Project Track AC) built on last weekend’s performance to claim the U23 sprint title in 6.77 in the absence of Israel Olatunde. Bori Akinola (UCD) also impressed to cross for silver in 6.78, with Colin Doyle (Leeave) securing bronze in 6.87.
Katie Bergin (Moyne AC) enjoyed a superb day of competition, claiming the 60m title in 7.71 before going on to also take gold in the 200m in 25.25.
The men’s 200m went the way of the ever-consistent Padraic Hassett (Nenagh Olympic) who stormed clear for gold in 21.81.
The women’s 400m race was touted as one of the races of the day, and it didn’t disappoint with Miriam Daly (Carrick on Suir AC) producing a personal best performance of 55.76 to take the 2023 title ahead of the talented pair of Lauren McCourt (Bandon AC) 56.01 and Caoimhe Cronin (Le Cheile) 56.30.
Ciaran Carthy (DSD AC) won the men’s 400 title in 48.53 ahead of Sean Harding (Shercock AC) 49.46, and Ted Collins (Nenagh Olympic) 51.59.
Nathan Sheehy Cremin (Emerald AC) posted a 1.54.50 to secure honours in the 800m from Waterford’s Jake Bagge (Ferrybank AC) 1.54.50 and Finn Woodger (MSB AC) 1.54.59.
There was no shortage of thrilling action in the field events with Ciara Kennelly (Killarney Valley AC) 1.74enjoying a great battle with Aoife O’Sullivan (Liscarroll AC) 1.71 in the high jump.
Ciara Sheehy (Emerald AC) was stand out thrower of the day, posting a best shot of 13.55 with her final throw of the day.
Juniors Report
Elanor Foot (Bray Runners AC) claimed one of the first track gold medals of the day with her blistering final lap taking the 1500m title in 4.43.11 from Roise Roberts (North Belfast Harriers), and Maebh Caffrey (St Cocas AC).
Louie Woodger (MSB AC) was fastest of the 18 entries in the split junior men’s race, claiming gold in the in 4.05.95.
Lucy May Sleeman (Leevale) lived up to the favourites tag in the 60m, exploding from the blocks to cross in 7.47 from Laura Bolster (Cushingtown AC) 7.84, and Megan Lynch (Lios Tuathail AC) 7.90.
The junior men’s race was a hotly contest affair with Jesse Osas coming out on top for Ratoath in 6.99 from David Oghuvbu (Naas AC) 7.01 and Killian Curran (Blackrock AC) 7.06.
Katie Doherty (Ratoath AC) continued her progress to take the 200m title in 24.76, while Dannon Long (Enniscorthy AC) took the men’s title back to Enniscorthy thanks to his 21.84 in what was one of the finished of the day. Darragh Murphy (Limerick AC) finished just behind in 21.84
Okwu Backari (Leevale AC) was another of the Leevale sprinters to star during the afternoon session, clocking a massive PB of 8.64 to take gold in the 60m hurdles.
Adam Nolan (SLOT) defended his 60m hurdle title in style, breaking the 8 second mark to cross in 7.95.
Niamh Murray (Bray Runners) continued her super 12 months to claim the 400m title to in 55.18 ahead of Hannah Murray of Finn Valley in 56.53 and Lucy McGlynn (Tír Chonaill A.C) 56.64.
The men’s 400m looked a hard one to call on paper but David Mannon (South Galway AC) stamped his authority on the race over the final 200m to secure first place in 48.87 from Joe Doody (Cabinteely AC) 49.28 and European U18 championship silver medallist (400H) Fintan Dewhirst (Tir Chonaill AC) 49.69.
Saoirse Fitzgerald (Lucan Harriers) 2.11.73 finished ahead of Maeve O’Neill (Doheny AC) in 2.12.02 to cross one-two in the 800m, while Jack Kelly (Tír Chonaill A.C) 1.53.96 impressed once again to claim yet another gold for Tír Chonaill.
Jake O’Brien (Moy Valley) took the gold in the men’s 3000m walk, with Aisling Lane (Mullingar Harriers) taking the women’s gold with a dominant 14.28.21.
The Leevale pole vaulters impressed yet again with Una Brice (Leevale AC) taking first place in 3.25m on count back ahead of Ava Rochford (Nenagh Olympic). The Nenagh star also took a gold medal in the high jump earlier in the day thanks to her 1.77 clearance. Rochford was pushed all the way by Sium Quinn who bowed out at 1.74.
Leevale also claimed the men’s pole vault title with Joshua Fitzgerald (Leevale) posting a best clearance of 4.21.
Athenry’s Liam Shaw dominated the shot put with a best of 16.39 proving over one meter better than his nearest competitors.
Relay Finals
The 4x200m relays signed off the 123.ie National Junior and U23 Championships for 2023 with Ratoath yet again showing their strength in depth with a string of impressive performances which included both the gold and silver medal in the junior women’s race, before following up with gold in the junior men’s race. The Meath club would also go on to secure gold in the men’s U23 race (1.32.56).
- Live results link HERE