Sean Breathnach of Galway City Harriers secured yet another title at the National Senior Track and Field Championships last weekend in Santry, Dublin.
Many of Galway’s top athletes were in action, but it was Breathnach who took top billing when he claimed a comprehensive victory in the Weight for Height event. He produced a massive best throw of 4.60 metres, narrowly missed breaking the National record of 4.95m with his final throw.
David Carter of GCH was another who excelled, clocking a personal best of 15.31 in the 5000m heats on Saturday before taking bronze medal in the U23 category in another quick time of 15.38, and finishing in 15th place in the combined senior/U23 race.
Two Galway athletes made the final of the women’s 400m on Sunday with Craughwell’s Sinead Treacy, and GCH athlete Laura Nally placing a fine fourth and fifth respectively behind Sophie Becker of Raheny.
Sprinter Robert McDonnell of GCH, another up-and-coming star impressed when he made the senior men’s 100m final, placing ninth overall with a time of 11.08 seconds.
Keith Fallon of the city club was another to make a final, placing 11th overall in 4.06, in what was the most exciting race of the championships, with Paul Robinson pipping Sean Tobin on the olive for a dramatic win.
William Fitzgerald placed seventh for Craughwell in the junior men’s 5000m final in 16.08
Other Galway athletes who competed on the national stage included GCH sprinters Owen Scully, Alex Lee, and Jack Dempsey in the 100m heats, and Craughwell's Sinead Gaffney, Jack Miskella, Sean Cotter, Kyle Moorhead and Oisin Davis, all of who ran well over 1500m.
Next weekend days three and four of the championships take place, with many of this week’s competitors in action again. Sean Breathnach and Brendan Staunton will be chasing silverware in shot putt and discus, along with a strong track contingent from GCH and Craughwell AC including Keith Fallon, and Sarah Lanigan of GCH who will look to go well over 800m.
Fixtures
East Galway AC will host a 5k event on August 29 next in Skehana, with the race off at 7pm. Race headquarters is Skehana Community Centre and entry is online only on Pop Up Races website.
