The 2018 All Ireland Secondary Schools Track and Field Championship took place at the Tullamore Harriers grounds in County Offaly on Saturday the 1st of June. With heavy cloud cover and soaring temperatures the venue was like a cauldron.
Dunboyne AC first athlete in action was Evan Mitchell who togged out in the colors of Belvedere College for the boys Senior Hammer competition. Juggling ones studies with training in the leaving cert year causes its own difficulties, however Evan was de-stressing in the throwing cage and finished a respectable fourth .
Tadhg O Muircheartaigh was competing in year one of two in the Intermediate age group, where he was throwing a heavier 700 g javelin than he is used to. Tadhg continued his superb form as he claimed silver out of age with a new PB with the heavier spear as he reached a distance of 57m plus. All bodes well for 2019 when he is the elder in the group when he returns in the Maynooth CC vest.
Our first runner and first Saint Peters athlete in action was Kayla Ryan who with a bad lane draw which saw her in an uncomfortable position of leading out the Minor girls field on the opening lap. Kayla then got boxed in as the race reached its climax and never recovered but still was up the top end of the field as the race came to an end as she finished sixth.
Doireann Ni Fhlatharta was part of a group of four athletes that broke away from the rest of the field in the Junior 800m and after a missed tied final move finished just outside the medals in fourth.
Our sole jumper at the Schools Nationals was Thomas Thornton who was in action in the Senior boys long jump. Thomas is another leaving cert student who was just taking a break from his studies and his best jump was just shy of 6m which was good enough to put him fifth overall in the ranking.
The last of Dunboyne AC ‘s contingent to walk onto the tartan were the Saint Peters Minor girls relay team. The team consisted of Lucy Eglington, Kayla Ryan, Kate Griffin and Rachael Norman. The girls passes the baton smoothly and with four good legs were unlucky not to make the podium as yet again the finishing position was fourth.
Well done to all. Thanks to all teachers and coaches involved.
