It was the Senior and Intermediate Secondary School Athletes who were in action on day 2 of the Leinsters Schools Track and Field Championship held in Morton Stadium, Santry on Saturday 19th May 2018. For the second Athletics meet in a row we had sunshine and with no breeze this time around conditions were near perfect.
Philip Thornton was Dunboyne AC’ s first competitor in action as he entered the throwing circle in the Intermediate boys Shot Putt competition. Having bulked up over the winter Philip was able to convert his new found strength into distance as he took gold with a 13m plus throw. He was equally as entertaining when receiving his medal on the podium as he threw the spectators a few waves that would have been more suitable for the Royal Wedding. He was repeating the phrase ‘Top-dog’ to echo his success to his brother who was competing later on that day as he reckoned that he was now his parents’ favourite – but we all know only All Ireland medals get children up the pecking order with the folks- so no pressure on the 2nd of June in Tullamore at the All Irelands.
Also competing in the Intermediate age group was Kate Reilly, who was taking part in the girls Triple Jump. Kate improved on her West Leinsters Jumps and qualified for the second round of competition to earn a further two jumps. Kate finished a very respectful sixth place overall in her first year competing in this age group.
The final competitor in action in the Intermediate events was Tadhg O Muircheartaigh who wore the Maynooth Community College colours in his Javelin competition. Tadhg had a bit of competition for a change in this specialised event, being only in his first year at this age grouping. Tadhg came up with an impressive 55m plus throw to take top spot on the podium and put Dunboyne AC’S Leinster Crown tally at four
Jack Nyhan who has been going very well in training of late had a very frustrating day in the senior Shot Putt. He finished in fourth a few centimetres out of the medals, with none of his throws going the way he had technically planned. He was close to two meters short of his training throws which would have guaranteed him top spot, but it was one of those days where the body and mind we out of sync.
Next in action on the final day of the schools’ provincial meet was Thomas Thornton who was in action in the Senior Long Jump. Thomas had his smirking brother in the crowd jeering him as he competed in the sunshine, but still manage to get a few good jumps in with a best just shy of six meters – good enough to claim bronze, but not the family bragging rights this time around.
Last of the Dunboyne AC Senior athletes in action was Belvedere College’s Evan Mitchell who was in magnificent form as he had two meters to spare as he claimed his latest Leinster Title in the Hammer Competition to add to his recent 2018 Meath Junior title and his highly ranked now for the National Finals in early June. Evan’s victory brought Dunboyne AC’s overall Leinster Crown tally to 5 , it’s best in many a year at school level.
Well done to all and to their teachers and coaches.
