Tallaght athletes got off to a flying start to
the New Year with some great performances in a number of competitions.
On New Years day Niall Coppinger contested the Tom Brennan Memorial 5k
in the Phoenix Park where he finished well up in the field and claimed
the winners prize in the 0/45 category and he again featured prominently
with Davy Byrne, Dessie Shorten and Billy Murphy in the Phoenix Park
last Sunday, where they combined to win team bronze medals in the Dublin
Masters Cross Country Championships, over the 7k.
The Tallaght vets returned home as masters of the Park, after some
outstanding individual silver medal performances from Davy Byrne, Niall
Coppinger, Desie Shorten, Vivian O’ Hanlon and Helen Dunne in their
respective 035/045/050/55 and 045 ladies categories, with Gerry O’ Brien
adding a bronze in the 055 category.
There was further good news on the same afternoon from down the country
which heralded the long awaited return of one of the clubs most
promising young athletes.
Brian Gregan who had missed almost 18 months of competition showed he is
back in tremendous form with a dazzling display over 400m on the very
tight indoor track at Nenagh, and his excellent time of 48.58 for his
return race is an indication of the potential and talents he possesses,
which undoubtedly will lead to greater achievements in the coming
season.