Jack Dempsey of Galway City Harriers competed on the Irish squad which was successful in achieving the 4x100m relay qualifying standard for the World Youth Championships.
In a meeting in Manheim, Germany, on Saturday, the Irish squad clocked a national record of 40.30 seconds with Dempsey, aron Sexton, David McDonald and David Murphy combining brilliantly to secure the standard
Tailteann Games
Many of Galway’s top track and field athletes featured at the prestigious schools interprovincial track and field event, the Tailteann Games, held on Saturday in Dublin.
Robert McDonnell of GCH took pride of place, winning the 400 metres well, in 50.73, for Colaiste Na Coiribe. Emma Moore of Presentation Athenry was second in the girls' 800m, while Seren O'Toole of Ballinrobe and GCH was also second in the 300m hurdles.
All three athletes now qualify for the Schools International to be held in July in Scotland. There were other good results via Chloe Casey of St Raphael’s Loughrea who was third in the discus, while Eimear Rowe of Mercy Tuam placed fourth in the 300 metres.
National League
Galway teams took part in round one of the National Track and Field League held in sweltering conditions in Templemore, Tipperary, on Sunday.
Galway City Harriers men’s team topped their pool in the premier division with a super team display, orchestrated by manager Cliff Jennings. Their performance included event double wins by Sean Breathnach in the shot putt and weight for distance throws, and by Cillin Greene who was first in both 100m and 200m sprints.
The squad also had second place finishes from Brendan Staunton in the discus, James Frizzell over 800m, Henrique Nvokolata in the triple jump, Talon Thompson second in the steeplechase, and strong performances elsewhere including Neill Keane over 1500m
Galway women's team finished fourth overall in the premier division, with highlights including a win for Aisling Joyce in the 1500m, a first and second place for team manager Sarah Finnegan in the 100m hurdles and triple jump, and second places for Cathy McKenna in the javelin, Maeve Curley in the walk, and Sinead Treacy over 200m.
Galway County men’s team finished third overall in division one, led by managers Sean McDermott and Michael Tobin. There were some outstanding performances by Brendan Lynch, who won the 400m hurdles and was second in both triple jump and long jump, Jerry Keary, high jump, and evergreen Tommy Farragher in the hammer throw. Ronnie Warde was runner up over 100m and also competed well in the shot putt, and Damien O'Boyle also took second in a new event for him, the 3k walk.
All three Galway teams now will aim to qualify for the final, with the second and final qualifying round to be held July 8 in Athlone.
Elsewhere Brendan McDonnell of GCH took second place at the highly competitive Irish Runner Five Mile at the Phoenix Park in Dublin at the weekend. McDonnell clocked 25.16 to finish just behind Freddy Sittuk of Raheny.
GCH junior athletes Thomas McStay and Aaron Brennan competed in the University of Birmingham series, with McStay clocking a sub four-minute 1500m time and a solid 8.45 personal best for 3000m, and Brennan running a PB of 8.52 over the 3k distance.
Fixtures
National Championships: This weekend sees the start of the National Track and Field championships in Tullamore.
Many Galway athletes competing including Cillin Greene in 100/200m, Aisling Joyce in middle distance, James Frizzell (800/1500m ), Jonah Erugo 200/400m, Nicole King (400m ), Jerry Keary in High Jump and Sinead Treacy over 200m all likely to feature.
On Sunday July 1, the National Paired Juvenile team events for Under 9s, 10s and 11s takes centre stage, along with the U9 and 11 relays and the U12 and 13 field events
Castlegar Track and Field Tribal games
Castlegar AC’s Tribal Games takes place Saturday in Merlin Woods City park in Doughiska. The track and field event features Ireland's richest grass mile, and includes competitions for juvenile and adult athletes. The event starts at 5pm on the day.
