Galway athletes were on the podium at the Irish Life Health National Juvenile Track and Field Championships, with multiple medals returning west after the weekend's action.
Emma Moore of Galway City Harriers stormed home to win the U19 800m gold in one of the displays of the championships, continuing her great season to date at senior and junior level.
Craughwell AC enjoyed great success the weekend with four gold medals, three silver and a bronze. The highlight was the exceptional U15 athlete Conor Penney who won double gold in the hurdles and the high jump in which he leapt a massive 1.88 metres.
Joshua Whyte leapt to a massive personal best in the U15 boys' triple jump to win silver, while Emma O'Donovan also claimed U15 high jump silver. Rachel Warde for Craughwell was another bronze winner, over hurdles this time.
Amy Rose Kelly and Orlaith Mannion won silver and bronze in the U16 hurdles for South Galway AC.
There was more success for the west in Saturday's U9 to U13s events programme which took place with the paired competition for U9 to U11 ages and individual events for the older ages.
Michelle Nnadi of GCH sprinted home to first place in the U13 80m with a flying run, while clubmate Aisling Tauchen claimed long jump silver with a 4.51 metre leap.
Castlegar AC claimed a well-deserved All Ireland gold via U10 long jump paired champions Dylan Madden and Mattis Ozolins, with GCH duo Roan Lydon and Mathys Cullinane Vaux just behind them in second.
Ozolins also claimed sprint bronze along with co–star Patrick Cawley for his second medal of the day.
Tuam’s athletes enjoyed a great start with the U13 boys' relay team, finally winning the elusive gold their efforts over the years have merited. The history making U13 relay team was made up of Éanna McGrath, Oliwer Lewandowski, Odhran Kelly and Cian O'Driscoll, along with Ruairi Costello who ran the second leg in Galway Counties' win and Cian McGinn who has been with the team since U9.
There was also a welcome silver for the U10 team, while Annalysse Nally and Rachel Treacy each won their first All-Ireland Track & Field medals - Nally in the javelin at U14 level, and Treacy in the high jump.
Craughwell AC capped a fabulous day with a gold medal winning performance from the U12 boys 4x100m team in one of the last events of the day - Sean Colleran, Lincoln King and the three McNena brothers, Ciaran, Ruairi and Jack, all in the winning squad.
Alan Hallinan for Craughwell also won the sprint hurdles gold at U13 level with a dominant performance, while Conor Mannion and Jack Hibbitt put in storming runs in their 500m to combine to take the national silver in the team competition.
South Galway AC pair, Anna Huban and Aoife Maher, won silver in the U9 girls' long jump to top off a great day's athletics for the West.
European U18 Championships
Liam Shaw of Athenry AC competes in the European U18 championships this week in Jerusalem, Israel. Shaw was to throw in the shot putt on Tuesday. The young Presentation Athenry student is on an upward trajectory in his throwing career and is now well established at national and international level.
World Masters Championships
The indomitable Kathryn Casserly of GCH continues her stellar career with a superb bronze medal placing in the world in the W40 5000m race at the World Masters track and field in Tempere, Finland last weekend.
Headford 8km
The famous Headford 8k returns to the road this Saturday, with the race off at 7pm on Saturday July 9. Race headquarters is at the GAA facilities in the town.
