Shock result as Niall Tuohy defeats champion
The KitKat Munster schools returned to the UL track at Plassey for the first time in years today. There was a time when every Munster, and more than a few All Ireland, track and field championships were held there, but that has changed in recent times. One of the biggest shocks in a long time in underage competition was witnessed in the senior boy’s race. Pre race favourite David McCarthy from St. Augustine’s Dungarvan was considered by many as only needing to go through the motions to achieve the 800m / 1,500m double – not only in Munster – but also in the All Irelands. In the 800m he did everything right, allowing his training partner in Waterford, Niall Tuohy from Newtown School, set the pace. Tuohy led them through in 57 sec. and continued to lead until McCarthy took over with 200m to go. Most observers at this stage thought that it was ‘race over’, with McCarthy stretching out in front. However, what a duel it turned into all the way down the home straight. Tuohy fought all the way to the line, closing inch by inch on his rival until a final lunge at the line brought him back into the lead and a famous victory. The winner missed the first three months of the year through injury – compartment syndrome problems, and is only now in the process of building up the miles. He plans a late season peak, with qualification for the European junior 1,500m high on his agenda. After the race he said he was ‘shocked’ by the result and it was totally unexpected. Both runners insisted their training was geared towards 1,500m / 3,000m. Tuohy won in 1:53.80, with McCarthy clocked at 1:53.89. Later in the day McCarthy easily won the 1,500m in just under four minutes. Other highlights included Eoin Hannon jumping 7.03m in the senior long jump (no wind gauge); Kelly Proper won the senior long jump with 6.00m, and also added the 100m and 200m; Chris Russell won the 100m in 11.02 and 200m in 22.74 (wind legal in both); Niamh Whelan won the 100m in 12.41, 200m in 25.48 (wind legal) and 300m in 41.91; and Cathal Owens clocked the fastest 400m time of the day in winning the inter 400m in 50.33. KitKat Munster Schools Results
The KitKat Munster schools returned to the UL track at Plassey for the first time in years today. There was a time when every Munster, and more than a few All Ireland, track and field championships were held there, but that has changed in recent times. One of the biggest shocks in a long time in underage competition was witnessed in the senior boy’s race. Pre race favourite David McCarthy from St. Augustine’s Dungarvan was considered by many as only needing to go through the motions to achieve the 800m / 1,500m double – not only in Munster – but also in the All Irelands. In the 800m he did everything right, allowing his training partner in Waterford, Niall Tuohy from Newtown School, set the pace. Tuohy led them through in 57 sec. and continued to lead until McCarthy took over with 200m to go. Most observers at this stage thought that it was ‘race over’, with McCarthy stretching out in front. However, what a duel it turned into all the way down the home straight. Tuohy fought all the way to the line, closing inch by inch on his rival until a final lunge at the line brought him back into the lead and a famous victory. The winner missed the first three months of the year through injury – compartment syndrome problems, and is only now in the process of building up the miles. He plans a late season peak, with qualification for the European junior 1,500m high on his agenda. After the race he said he was ‘shocked’ by the result and it was totally unexpected. Both runners insisted their training was geared towards 1,500m / 3,000m. Tuohy won in 1:53.80, with McCarthy clocked at 1:53.89. Later in the day McCarthy easily won the 1,500m in just under four minutes. Other highlights included Eoin Hannon jumping 7.03m in the senior long jump (no wind gauge); Kelly Proper won the senior long jump with 6.00m, and also added the 100m and 200m; Chris Russell won the 100m in 11.02 and 200m in 22.74 (wind legal in both); Niamh Whelan won the 100m in 12.41, 200m in 25.48 (wind legal) and 300m in 41.91; and Cathal Owens clocked the fastest 400m time of the day in winning the inter 400m in 50.33. KitKat Munster Schools Results
