As our hardened seasoned Distance Athletes were arriving at Abbotstown for the All Ireland Cross Country today the other half, our sprinters were arriving at Cushinstown and had the luxury of competing indoors. Although, it was just as cold inside today on the 60m track. Cushinstown had a great attendance today filling up the hall with clubs from all over the country attending and competing. Considering the Dunboyne AC Juveniles had multiple events on, we had a large crew of almost 20 turn up for the fast 60m Dash.
We had a treat today of a Tiny Tots race where Clara Eglington and 5 other Tots had their first introduction to competitive Athletics and ran the 30m race with a huge smile to earn a nice lolly and warm the hearts of the crowd.
In the U/9, John Hanlon was eagerly awaiting his heats where he sailed through to the final with a 10m lead. John then entered the final with full confidence and led from start to finish and winning Gold. John will be 8 after Christmas and will be eligible to compete at Meath Championship races which he has so eagerly been awaiting for the last year. Not a week goes by where he is asking can he run as he watches sister Catherine compete for Dunboyne.
In the U/10 we only had Paul Magee and Paul never disappoints us as he entertains with his witty charm and wonderful racing ability. Paul eased through the final had a superb final where he finished just outside the medals.
In the U/11, we had Alexandra Ahern, Alice griffin, LiAnn Grogan, Catherine Hanlon and Lana Glanic step into the heats of the 60M. Each of the girls had a great race setting markers for the season. LiAnn Grogan went on to win Silver in the final. Catherine unfortunately went over on her ankle stirring up an old injury from the past. We wish her a speedy recovery. Alice Griffin waited around eagerly and moved up in age for the U/12 Long Jump where she set a great marker with nearly a 3m Jump.
In the U/12 we had Just Elizabeth Comeford and good friend Isabel Phillips jump into the 60m where they had a straight final. Both girls just outside medals and doing themselves proud for this very early in the season sprint race. Both girls hung about for the Long Jump and Elizabeth stayed even longer into the later afternoon and eagerly competed in the High Jump. Well done girls, great stuff today. Loads more to come from you guys this season.
In the U/13, we had Sinead Magee and Aideen Reilly where both eased out of their heats and into the final. What a great final and both Aideen and Sinead were inseparable over the 60m with a photo finish required in the end advantaging Aideen who won a Bronze medal. Super racing from this pair who are working so hard in training. Lots more to come as these speed up over the coming weeks in preparation for the Leinster indoors in February 2018.
In the U/14, we had Pablo Mendoza, Kate Griffin, Lucy Eglington and Loreana Harrison. Like the U13 girls these guys are working so hard each week training over 6 days and preparing for the Leinster Indoors. Pablo with a slightly rocky start managed to fight back and win a Bronze medal. Big competition in this race and Pablo was superb.
Both Kate and Loreana qualified into the final with Loreana winning the heat where Lucy had a bad start from the blocks and unfortunately could not recover. 60m racing can be tough as there is no room for error at this level where the heats were packed with past All Ireland winners. In the final Loreana finished 2nd winning a silver with a PB of 7.9 sec beating her rival and demonstrating that winter training actually suits her. Kate was very unlucky finishing in an agonizing 4th place in the final.
Kate then held on and went straight into the 60m Hurdles doing superb and claiming a Bronze medal demonstrating her newly found increased speed.
After the racing was over the field events came where Lucy, Kate and Loreana eagerly awaited to test jumping on the mattresses. All 3 girls were fantastic at the jumps against top level National Medal winning competitors. The girls hung in to the 1.40 mark were the did themselves proud and bowed out watching the bar raise over 1.6m with top level Athletes.
In the U/15 both Doireann NiFlatharta and Abbey Knox were in the 60m both just outside the medals. Not much disrupts these pair who have been racing with each other since they were 8 years old as both went straight into the 60m Hurdles and both winning medals, Abbey with Silver and Doireann with a Bronze.
Abbey held on late into the afternoon as the crowd deserted along with the remaining Dunboyne Athletes and held on till the the end for the High Jump in the U/15 girls where medals were no problem for Abbey.
In the U/16 Girls our only Athlete Vickie Knox who like her sister Abbey and gang are training very hard over 6 days. Vickie held off her lunch and won a great Silver in the 60M Hurdles right up against top end competition.
Before we left some of the girls just didn’t have enough of fun for the day and threw themselves into the Shot Put. Doireann, Lucy, Kate and Loreana all jumped in and competing well, they would have impressed throws coach Declan who might have a few girls to compete against the lads.
Well done to all Athletes and thanks to parents and coaches today as we were split across Dublin and Meath. Its fantastic to have large numbers from the club getting out there and competing as a club on the same day in Cross Country and T&F. Our next race is in Waterford on December 17th for the All Ireland Uneven ages. we look forward to more big results.
See the photos here! https://www.flickr.com/photos/151447904@N02/albums/72157691009801976
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Juvenile News & Reports
