Tallaght Men Reach National Athletic League Final

The Tallaght A.C. men’s team put in some very fine performances in Round 2, Division1 of the Woodies National Track & Field League at Santry last weekend, with the points accumulated by the athletes in the various track and field competitions ensuring qualification for the National Final in Tullamore on 14^th August.

Top points were secured by Eddie Healy, National Senior 800m bronze medal winner Anthony Lieghio and Michael Gassowski in the long jump, 800m and shot putt respectively, whilst Tomas Fitzpatrick (1500m), Brian Connolly (5000m), Killian O’ Donoghoe (Hammer), Alan Casey (high jump), Patrick Curran (400m hurdles), Eddie Healy (3k walk) and Michael Gassowski (56lb weight for distance) all finished 2^nd.

Additional points were added by Luke Coleman after he finished third in the 3,000m steeple chase and by Sean Bolger in the 200m with Alan Casey, Sean Morris, Patrick Curran and Eddie Healy securing more in the Discus, 100m/javelin, pole vault/110m hurdles and 400m respectively.

The 4X400m relay team consisting of Sean Bolger, David Somerville, Eddie Healy and Anthony Lieghio finished second whilst, Derek Kennedy, Sean Morris, Eddie Healy and Sean Bolger combined to finish 3^rd in the 4X100m relay.

Although the ladies team were depleted due to holidays, Emma Morrin, Katie Fitzpatrick, Jenny O’ Connor, Bronagh O’ Hanlon, Stacey O’ Connor, Paula Murray, Jaqui Boyle and Yvonne Healy competed very well and secured points in the long jump, 100m, 200m, Walk, 1500m, 400m, 800m, javelin, 3000m, discus, shot putt and relays.

Elsewhere Sean Connolly was in the best form of his life. After taking the National bronze in the 5,000m in Santry a fortnight ago he stepped up a gear in the Savo Games in Finland last weekend where he finished fifth in the 5,000m, smashing his own P.B. for the second time in a month after he ran a superb 13.48.51. for the distance. Despite achieving his goal, the qualifying standard (13.50) for the European Championships, he unfortunately will not be selected to compete for his Country, as the Athletic Association of Ireland had set a very tough standard of 13.40, which is, to say the least, very disappointing for Sean, after this superb effort. 

Tullamore will be the next outing for Tallaght athletes next weekend, where some of our juveniles will contest the final 2 days of the National Juvenile Track & Field Championships