It has been a very frustrating year for the Dunboyne AC athletes with most competitions being cancelled due to the on-going Covid crisis.
Thankfully a handful of our Youth athletes had the opportunity to compete on Saturday September 5th at the 2020 All Ireland Junior Track and Field Championships at the Morton Stadium, Santry. With no spectators, parent/guardian or coaches allowed on site, the experience was not only strange for our young athletes, it was a bit more daunting than what they are used too. Only last Thursday the event was split into a two day championships, so even the run up to the event was turbulent. Most athletes were well shy of their own age categories for this Under 20 competition, however with athletes in the Under 17 Age Group upwards being eligible to compete, the athletes were still delighted to have an outing. Many field athletes were using heavier throwing equipment than they are accustomed to.
In action were;
Junior Men
– Ben Hughes (Under 17) 400m
– Philip Thornton (Under 19) Shot Putt
– Peter Delany (Under 19) Javelin
Junior Women
– Kayla Ryan (Under 17) 400m/200m
Highlights
Dunboyne AC got the day off to a great start as Philip Thornton had to get out of bed early to head for the throwing circle in what was a cold dull morning. It was Philip’s opening throw of the competition that counted , Philip making the podium as he took bronze. A disappointed athlete but happy coach as this emerging star adapts to a new throwing technique.
Next up were Kayla and Ben in the one lap dash. Kayla came home fifth in her heat and agonisingly missed out on the Junior Women’s final by one place as her 63 second lap placed her a respectful ninth overall in a competition where she is eligible for the next three years.
Ben was comfortable in his heat as he ran a new PB of 51.4 seconds and qualified for the Junior Men’s final third fastest overall. It was going to be a three hour plus wait for the final for the youngster competitor in the field.
Our second thrower of the day was Peter Delany who was chucking a spear for sport. Peter is new to competition, but can be more than pleased with a throw of 42.95m in this Junior Men’s Javelin competition, Peter finished a fine fifth overall – less than two meters off a place on the podium.
Kayla Ryan was back on track later in the afternoon when she contested the Junior Women’s 200m. Despite being well out of age she finished fifth in her heat with a respectable 28 second time. A tired lady after the two competitions.
Ben Hughes’ patience had to be tested as he saw the weather deteriorate in the hours leading up to the final showdown. The wet track and the hated lane 8 did not bode well for young Ben who was a second off the PB that he set earlier in the day. Overall he will be happy with his day’s work and with a further three years to come in this competition his time will come to stand on the podium.
Next weekend see the remaining Youth athletes in action in hurdles and distances races as day 2 of the 2020 Junior Track and Field Championship is scheduled for Sunday the 13th September 2020.
Well done to all our athletes today. The future is bright for the blue and white.
