On an historic day for the club, Galway City Harriers men's and women's teams both medalled at the National Indoor Track and Field League in AIT International Arena on Sunday.
GCH made history by being the first women's team from the club to medal at a National Track and Field League final. The team secured a national bronze medal in a high-quality competition, behind Dublin City Harriers and Raheny Shamrocks. The GCH women's squad, competing over the two rounds, comprised Nicole Walsh, Kathryn Casserly, Aoife Sheehy, Aoife Waldron, Laura Nally, Seren O'Toole, Sarah Lanigan, Rebecca Lynch, Rita Lahue, and team manager Majella Loftus.
In an equally competitive men's competition, GCH men's team took silver behind Clonliffe Harriers with an impressive team performance. The squad of GCH men who competed over the two rounds included Robert McDonnell, Daragh Jennings, Eoghan Jennings, Jonah Erugo, Conor Deane, Owen Scully, Darren Costello, Jack Dempsey, Brendan Staunton, Keith Fallon, led by manager Cliff Jennings.
Competing also were Craughwell women's team captained by Sarah Finnegan, and they had two solid all-round performances to place sixth overall.
Junior and U23 medal haul
Galway athletes excelled at the National Junior and U23 Championships held on Saturday in AIT Arena in Athlone, coming home with a large haul of medals.
At U23 level, the talented Nicole Walsh of Galway City Harriers took gold in the U23 400m, middle distance athlete Thomas Mc Stay of GCH doubled up with an impressive silver in the U23 1500 metres and bronze in the 800m, and newcomer to GCH, Emily Russell, won bronze in the U23 60m hurdles.
There were also medals for Brendan Lynch of Loughrea AC who won silver in the U23 triple jump, while Laura Cunningham of Craughwell AC won bronze in the U23 high jump.
At junior level, GCH sprinter Robert McDonnell won silver in the 200m and in doing so ran the fastest 200m for a GCH juvenile indoors or outdoors with a flying time of 21.85 seconds.
Richard Kamsen of GCH triple jumped his way to a huge 13.30m best, to claim silver, while Aaron Brennan claimed silver for GCH in the 1500m with a superb 4:06 clocking, just ahead Craughwell ’s Sean Cotter who won bronze the in same race.
There were other good performances just outside the medals from Seren O'Toole, of GCH, who took fourth in the junior 400m and Barry Murphy, fifth in the Junior 800m for GCH
Coldwood 4 Mile race
Coldwood National school held its annual four-mile run on Sunday in aid of the school's development. The event, organised conjunction with Craughwell AC, attracted a good turnout, and the race saw the top three spots go to GCH athletes. First over the line was David Carter in 21.40, with clubmates David Bohan second in 21.48 and Jerome Debize third in 23.21.
Linda Porter won the women's race in a time of 27.18, with Cliona Hurst second in 27.27, and third Eleanor Whyte of GCH in 27.49.
