There was plenty of action at the NI & Ulster Senior Track and Field Championships at Antrim Forum on Saturday 16th June 2007. Although the weather was damp and drizzly in comparison to the sunshine of the previous weekend, it didn’t stop some fine performances from Amy Foster, Joe McAlister, Eva Massey and Kelly Reid. Foster took the 100m title (11.85), a first victory over Anna Boyle (12.12) who had competed at the Bislett Games the night before in Oslo, Norway. Amy secured herself a PB and an extension to her NI Junior Record, along with beating her own North Down AC Senior Record and achieved the European Juniors Qualifying Standard. Amy said “This was just my third race of the season. I didn’t expect to win but I am delighted”. She earlier withdrew from the 200m to concentrate on the shorter distance following hamstring problems. The 200m was won by Mandy Crowe of DCH with silver being awarded to Hannah Lewis (North Down). Nick Smith of Scotland took the 100m title (10.42) in front of City of Derry star Jason Smyth (10.72). Mens 200m was won by Finn Valley’s Brian Doyle followed by Andrew Graham (U20) of Lagan Valley. New NI record holder Eva Massey continued her excellent form and retained her shot title and went over 16m again ahead of Inter-Counties champion Rebecca Peake. Jeremy Harper had double gold at shot and discus, extending his North Down recordswith PBs at both with 14.32m and 48.91m. The Men’s 5K saw a field of 19 athletes and an exciting race ensued. Brian MacMahon from Cork had taken the lead but St. Malachy’s Joe McAlister snatched victory in the home straight to retain his title. Victory in the women’s javelin went once again to Inter Counties Silver medallist Laura Kerr of Windsor who threw 46.74m. The men’s High Jump was a repeat of last year’sresults. Slovakia’s Martin Kalafus cleared 2.10 metres for victory, ahead of Ballymena’s Caolan Flanagan at 2.05 metres. A Slovakian also won the Womens High Jump, Iveta Srnkova, jumping 1.70m. Emphatic wins were recorded in the 1500m by Kerry Harty of Newcastle (4.31.85) and Abbey’s Paul Pollock (3.56.38) In the women’s 400m Lisburn’s Sarah Quinn just edged out Abbey’s Michelle Rodgers in a time of 56.70 seconds. In the Men’s race there was an easier victory for Denore’s Simon Taggart in 49.9 seconds ahead of Menapain’s Brendan O’Shea. Pole vaulter Zoe Brown suffered an injury while warming-up and in her absence victory went to Ballymena’s Claire Wilkinson. Anthony McCreery (Clonliffe Harriers) claimed gold in the mens pole vault with a height of 4.50m. Jonathon Ritchie of Ballymena jumped 14.30 in the Triple Jump ahead of Alan Kennedy (Abbey AC) who also took Gold in the Long Jump with 6.66m. The same situation occurred with the women; Gillian Cooke of Edinburgh AC finished 2nd in the triple jump behind Gillian Kerr but won the Long Jump with 6.07m. Kelly Reid had an easy victory in the 800m in a time of 2.08.59 followed by Kerry Hartyin second place with 2.13.31. Australian Brad Woods took the mens 800 title in 1.50.6followed by Kevin Kane of Inverclyde and Michael Dyer. Irish Schools champion Noel Collins (Omagh) at just 16 picked up his first Senior medal in the 3K Steeplechase ahead of Simon Murray of Abbey AC. The women’s event was won by Elizabeth Egan (Liverpool Harriers). John Glover took gold in 3000m Walk and 37 years ago he took gold in the 800m. Track ResultsField Results




