Galway’s top young athletes excelled at the National Junior and U23 Indoor Championships in Athlone IT on Sunday.
Two gold medals for Galway City Harriers’ athletes Cillin Greene and Nicole Walsh were among the highlights of a great day's competition.
Cillin Greene claimed victory in the U23 men’s 200m race, and clocked 21.47 with a storming performance, and also achieved a B standard for this summer’s U23 European Championships in the process.
Nicole Walsh of GCH was hugely impressive when winning the U23 women’s 400m title in a fast 56.15 seconds, and she can look with confidence to the upcoming outdoor season.
There were more medal wins for the city GCH with middle distance athletes Aisling Joyce winning silver in the U23 1500m and Jack Maher taking bronze in the U20 1500m.
Loughrea AC's Brendan Lynch claimed double bronze with a super all-round performance. He won third placings at U23 level in both the triple jump, leaping 13.64 metres, and also in the 60m sprint hurdles.
GCH also had strong performances too from Laura Nally, who finished fifth in the U20 400m final, and Robert McDonnell, who placed fifth in the U20 200m final.
NUIG athletes also impressed. Ellie O'Toole (Newbridge AC ) won silver in the U23 400m, behind training partner Nicole Walsh, Sarah Quinn of St Colman's Mayo took silver in the sprint hurdles, and Shane Mooney won gold in a dead-heat in the U23 hurdles.
National Indoor League
Craughwell women were the sole Galway representatives at the National Indoor League final on Saturday in Athlone IT. Led by captain Sarah Finnegan, the squad placed sixth overall, with Arlene Earls and Ailbhe Miskella also scoring.
National Cross Country
The final day of National Cross Country action takes place, with the National Masters and Intermediates Cross Country championships in Dundalk IT on Sunday.
Galway will field strong county teams at Masters level, with the women's Over 35 team featuring strong performers, such as Niamh Hennelly, Grainne Ni Uallachain and Sinead Foran of GCH, as well as Cliodhna Ruane of Corrib AC.
The men’s Over 50 team will see Ian Egan and Niall Murphy vying for national glory, while at Over 65 level, the indomitable Martin McEvilly of GCH and Martin Hynes of Tuam AC will lead the charge. GCH will field a club team at O35 level, with Brian O'Connor and Seamus Leddy expected to feature well.
At juvenile level, Castlegar will field teams in the exciting cross country relays, and several Galway athletes will compete in the Juvenile B Championships which will start the programme on the day.
Coldwood 4 Mile race
Kevin Mooney of Craughwell AC came out on top in the annual Coldwood four mile road race on Sunday, which acted as a fundraiser for Coldwood National school.
Mooney enjoyed a great battle with Conor Dolan, and just eight seconds separated the pair at the finish. Mooney clocked 21.29 to Dolan’s 21.37, with Craughwell AC athlete Mark Davis third home. Cliona Hurst was the first woman home in 27.04, followed by Deirdre Devane of Craughwell AC in second and Marcella Heneghan third.
Fixtures
The annual Maree 8k takes place next Sunday (February 3 ) in the surrounds of Maree, Oranmore, Co Galway at 11am. The scenic circuit has been measured to AI standards, will be chip timed, and has been approved by the Galway County Board. This run routes from race HQ at Maree Community Centre out onto Galway Bay, down the picturesque Tawin peninsula, and back to the finish at the Community Centre.
The AAI Indoor Games also takes place next weekend, attracting strong competition in advance of the National Senior Indoors in February
Galway Sports Star Awards
Emma Moore of Galway City Harriers was awarded the Galway Sports Star for 2018 for athletics last weekend. This award was in recognition of her outstanding 2018 season, when she won multiple national titles across a range of events, set a number of national records at juvenile level over 800m, as well as gaining international recognition at Irish schools level.
Fit for Life
Galway City Harriers Fit for Life beginners' group commences again on Monday February 4, meeting at Westside Library 7pm sharp, Bernie Kelly is the group contact, and the programme is open to all interested in starting to run or getting back to training regularly over the spring months.
