Tallaght AC sent a small but nonetheless capable squad to compete at the
Athletics Ireland Indoor Games in Nenagh last weekend, an event that
provides senior athletes with the opportunity to test their early season
form, and attracts quality opposition from the 32 counties.
Sean Bolger was first into the fray when he lined up in one of the 200m
contests and was more than pleased when crossing the line in second, in a
time of 24.50. Sean also competed in a decidedly hot 60m sprint where he
finished 7th in a time of 7.65.
Ronan Kearns and Robert Fitzsimons contested race 2 of the 1,000m, and
midway through the race Robert threw down the gauntlet to the other
competitors. At this point Ronan who appeared to be struggling found
another gear and took the lead with 100m remaining to win decisively in
2.39.8, with Robert, despite his brave efforts to close the gap, crossing
the line in second, with both athletes recording personal best
performances.
Our only other competitor on the day was Brian Gregan and he made his
intentions quite clear when winning the 200m by a margin of 20metres in a
personal best time of 23.12. There was even better to come from this young
athlete when he lined up against formidable opposition in the 400m where
he produced a powerhouse performance to strike from behind in the last 60m
and record his second win of the day in a time of 51.8.
These performances bode well for the club as three of the athletes are
only 16, and in all races they were, by far, the youngest competitors in
the field. Both Robert and Brian will be live medal contenders when they
represent the club in the Scottish Indoor Championships in early February.
Elsewhere, some more of our athletes continued their cross country
campaigns. At Corkagh Park in Clondalkin our juveniles contested the
Clondalkin AC Cross Country Open, incorporating the 4th race in the Dublin
XC League series, and our seniors were in action in the Dublin Masters XC
Championships in Santry.
At Clondalkin, Megan Delaney got the club off to a great start when
leading from start to finish to claim the first victory of the day in the
U8 200m contest, securing maxium points in the hunt for retention of the
perpetual trophy. Liam Gaynor added some additional points when finishing
6th in the U9 300m and Cialan Mc Cormack, competing in his first ever
race, achieved his personal goal to finish the U10 600m contest.
In the U11 600m contest, Jade Johnston secured some more points when
taking 4th and maintained her high position in the Dublin league series,
with Emma Reid next to finish for the club, followed by Fina Condren and
Chloe Voyles. Craig Henry did well in the boys equivalent.
The U12 boys 800m contest, Dylan Murphy strongly challenged the National
U12 silver medalist throughout the race, finishing an excellent second,
with Killian Morris taking points for his 9th placing and in the U13 800m
girls contest Ciara Henry was first to finish for the club, followed by
Grace Kristensen, Ciara, Alanna Hutchinson and Lauren Keogh, whilst in the
boys 1,000m contest Cian Delaney, although tired, was pleased to finish
his first XC event.
At U14 level, Robyn Reece was our first finisher, ahead of Annmarie Mc
Clean and Jenny Moloney in their 1,000m event, with Christopher Delaney
running a solid race in the boy’s category. Roisin O’ Hanlon had a very
strong run when taking 4th in the U15 1200m contest and in the process
retaining her high ranking in the league competition and William Oliver
was our first finisher in the boys U15 1500m ahead of Stewart Kelly.
Aisling Johnston was our second winner of the day, leading from the start,
she gradually built an ever increasing gap on her rivals, crossing the
line with almost 300m to spare in the U16 1500m contest. In addition to
her winning prize she recorded her 4th straight win in the Dublin league
and with only one race remaining she is likely to pick up her fourth
consecutive league title. Rebecca Game had another strong run in third,
and she also retains a high league position, whilst in the boys category,
run over a distance of 2,000m, Niall Forrester gained more valuable points
and also stays in the hunt for a league trophy, with his fifth placed
finish where Stewart Kelly was next to finish for the club.
Peter Fitzsimons was another in good form when securing more valuable
points, when taking 2nd in the U17 3k contest and Carla Fullam also played
her part when finishing 5th in the 2k girls contest. Anthony Lieghio
secured maximum points and the 3rd win of the day for Tallaght, when
winning the U18 4k event and David Somerville took silver honours in the
U19 boys, over the same distance.
Bronagh O’ Hanlon ended the day on a high note for the club when striding
clear in the U19 3k, the final event of the day. Despite the wins and the
high finishing places of many of our athletes we came up short on points
when the final tally was done, unfortunately failing to retain the overall
winners trophy for the 4th year when finishing second to a worthy Celtic/DCH.
In the Dublin Masters Championships, Niall Coppinger was bang in
contention, maintaining fourth position through the contest until he had a
bad fall with 800m metres remaining, unfortunately losing any hope of a
medal. Desie Shorten benefited from this mishap and was the first club
athlete to cross the finish line in 12th, followed by Niall, Derek Quinn,
Billy Murphy, Frank Ferguson, Kevin Donoghue, Martin Haddock and Gary
Clarke, with the club team finishing as 5th team overall. However, there
was still a medal honour for the club when Frak Ferguson was awarded with
the Silver medal in the 0/50 category. Anna King, our only representative
in the ladies contest put in another strong display.
Our juveniles will again be competing next Sunday in the final race of the
Dublin Cross Country League Series, in Marley Park.