Brian Gregan was again in brilliant form in the
Mannheim International last weekend where he knocked an amazing .79
hundreds off his P.B time, equalling Gordon Kennedy’s 8yr Irish Junior
record for the 400m when finishing third behind two German competitors
in a fantastic time of 46.70.
Since his return to competition after his 18 month injury related
layoff, he has over the last two months made unbelievable progress,
knocking a massive 1.8 seconds off his previous best time.
Brian will return to competition next weekend to contest 200m in the
National Juniors in Tullamore, and following this he will be finalising
his preparations for the greatest challenge of his career to date, the
World Juniors Championships which will take place in Poland from 8th –
13th July. With the standard expected to be in the high 45’s and against
some very talented opposition, his initial target will be to come
through the heats and then take it from there. No doubt he will commit
his all and whatever the result, do us proud.
On his return from Poland he will contest the National Senior
Championships in Santry 19th/20th July and later the Morton Memorial
Meeting, also in Santry.
Elsewhere, many of our juveniles competed for their local areas in the
Dublin Community Games Finals at Santry last weekend, where they
produced some excellent performances to reach the podium and qualify to
represent Dublin in the National Community Games Finals which will be
held for the last time in Mosney in August.
Conor Murray easily won the U12 600m and anchored the winning
Kilnamanagh U12 relay squad which included club athletes, Eoin Doherty,
Aaron Conroy and Shane Mc Cabe. Eoin Doherty was just piped on the line
in the U12 100m and Shane Mc Cabe won the U12 ball throw contest with a
throw which should be good enough make the Mosney podium. Lauren Morris
also competing for Kilnamanagh won the U10 100m and Keith Doherty did
likewise in the U14 100m, whilst Killian Morris took bronze in the U14
80m hurdles contest.
Both the U16 boys and girls relay squads from Killinarden will represent
the Capital at Mosney after their victories in the 4X100m contests. The
boys team included club athlete Karl Arkins who ran an excellent anchor,
making up a 10m deficit to beat the Ballymun team on the line, Sean O’
Connor, Anthony Byrne and Jason Fullam who have recently returned to the
club after an absence of a few years. Club members Teresa Mc Guigan,
Jessica Wall, Robyn Reece and Annmarie Mc Clean combined well to go top
of the podium.
Robyn Reece almost gained another title for Killinarden when losing out
by only .20m in the U16 javelin contest, whilst Jade Johnston, despite
running out of her age, did well to make the podium and receive a
certificate for her 4th placed finish in the U14 800m.
John Daly was another club athlete to make the podium. Representing
Limekiln, he a terrific tussle with throughout his U14 800m final where
he finished 3rd behind the Clondalkin representative Boniface Chege and
Peter Weakliam representing St Judes.
Next up for some of our juveniles will be the Dublin relay Championships
and T&F league this coming weekend followed by the National T&F
Championships in Antrim on 5th/6th and 13th July.