Susanne Huet Qualifies for European juniors The Woodie’s DIY junior and under 23 championships at Tullamore had to endure a couple of very heavy showers of rain, but conditions generally were conducive to good performances. Local man Eoin Hannon was in superb form as he produced a series of top class jumps to easily win the junior long jump. His winning leap is just outside the European standard as set down by Athletics Ireland, but the European standard itself would see him make the team if the selectors decide. Hannon opened with 7.14m, 7.35m, and 7.43m for his first three jumps, and followed up with another 7.43m 7.42m, and closed with 7.36m for a superb series of jumping. Mark Hanrahan raced into the lead from the gun in the under 23 1,500m and simply destroyed the field as he moved further and further away. His winning time saw him dip under 3:50 for the first time. Brian Markham made most of the running in the junior 1,500m and led into the home straight. However, a determined effort from John Coghlan brought him into the lead at the right time for victory. Susanne Huet took victory in the junior 5,000m and in doing so ran eight seconds inside the European qualifying standard for 5,000m. Linda Byrne did most of the front running in the under 23 800m, but it was Lyndsey Friel who was strongest in the last 100m , getting up in the closing stages to win narrowly. Pamela Hughes won the junior high jump and then made a brave attempt to make the qualifying standard, but never quite managed to clear the 1.80m needed. Joe Warne had the under 23 800m won with 30m remaining, but the fast finishing Kevin McCloy stormed past to win on the line. Mairead Murphy returned from Belgium to win the junior 100m hurdles, while clubmates Jessie Barr and Kalyn Sheehan finished 1-2 in the junior 400m hurdles. Derek Duff had a good 100m / 200m double at under 23 level, while clubmate Pawel Hazler had a hammer / discus double and was second in the shot behind EYOF bound Colin Quirke. European juniors bound Amy Foster was in top form to win the 100m and 200m, with EYOF bound Niamh Whelan chasing her home in both. Andrew Ledwith won the under 23 5,000m and described it as a ‘blow-out’ as he prepares for the European under 23 championships. Niall Tuohy was another to return from Belgium to make a final attempt at Euro qualifying. He was a good winner of the junior 800m, but was once again outside the standard Overall it was a superb championships only for the downpours with added thunder as the relays were being held. Junior 4x100m Women 1. Ferrybank 50.04; 2. Leevale 51.44; 3. St. Peter’s 57.22 4x40m. 1. DSD 4:15.48 Junior Men 4x100m 1. Navan 44.75 4x400m. 1. Finn Valley 3:35.05; 2. Donore Harriers 3:40.06; 3. Limerick 3:54.20 Under 23 Women 4x100m 1. Borrisokane 52.22 Under 23 Men 4x400m 1. Togher 3:28.94; 2. Raheny 3:32.87 Results
