Day 1 Leinster Track and Field Indoor Championships – Youngsters Impress
Despite the luxury of a roof over our heads and heaters warming the stadium it was the electrifying racing that kept us warmed up. Dunboyne AC had their first competitive track and field meet of the 2016 racing calendar as they travelled to the AIT Indoor Arena in Athlone for the Leinster Indoor Championships on Saturday 13th February 2016. Both the Juveniles and the Fit for Youth sections sent their finest athletes in search of glory and as always they came home with the silverware.
Our under thirteen girls took to the tartan for the first race of the day where Lucy Eglington led the charge as herself and her teammates Rachael Norman, Aislinn Kelly, Dervla McNiochlas and Kayla Ryan passed the baton in search of qualification for the final. The girls just came up short as they battled all the way to the line to be squeezed out of second place on the final run in. The girls running together as a team for the first time finished 8th overall out of thirty teams.
Our under twelve girls must have felt very hard done by to learn their fate in the Midlands. The quartet made up of Aideen Reilly, Sophie Dolan, Aleah Kelly and Sinead Magee did all that was asked of them, emptying the tank as they circled the arena in search of qualification. They looked gutted when they finished in fourth. When eventually the results came to light, they had the fourth fastest time in the competition, their time would have won the other heats and earned them an automatic slot in the final…what were the chances of being drawn in such a talent filled heat.
There were no fit for Youth relay teams in action because a decision was made to allow our athletes concentrate on their individual goals. Thomas Thornton got the group off to a flyer as he impressively jumped to silver in the under 17 Triple Jump, having Gold in his back pocket until the last jump of the day. Also in action at the sand pit was Niall Bermingham who had the frustration of finishing in fourth in the under 18 Triple Jump competition. Niall also was in action in the High Jump where his opposition includes some of our International athletes, despite some good jumps there was no joy for Niall today.
We had four individuals on duty in the 800m races. In the under 14 age groups both Doireann Ni Fhlatharta and Conor Leane ran steadily to win automatic qualification spots in their heats. In the under 15 girls races both Kate Reilly and Nicole Frazer both had tough heats and had the long wait to see what the heat results were, being a bitter sweet occasion as only Nicole qualified for the final as a fastest loser. Kate was running her very first track race in an experienced field so hats off to her.
In the final of her 800M Doireann accelerated from the gun to an early lead at the 200m mark and duelled with one of her regular rivals for the second half of the race as they swapped top spot all the way to the finishing straight where she just held out. Congratulations on your Gold Doireann! Like one of those deja vue moments Conor Leane also took to the front after 200m, renewed acquaintances with one of his old foes, and yes they swapped the lead numerous times before that final kick from Conor saw him regain his Leinster Indoor crown. Just to raise your eyebrows, both our Leinster Champions’ times were better than older age group winners. Nicole Frazer’s final was another intriguing race where Nicole pushed herself to the limit with her never say die performance which saw this ever improving athlete finish a credible fifth.
Well done to all, and a big thanks you to our coaches and supporters. Click HERE for more photos.
