Galway clubs enjoyed a medal haul on the second day of the Connacht Track and Field championships in TUS Athlone on Saturday.
Galway City Harriers, Craughwell, and Tuam AC in particular, topped the medals leaderboard on day two of the U14 to U19 juvenile competition running alongside the senior and masters adult events.
Among the highlights for GCH were wins at senior level for Aine O'Farrell over 1500m and Laura Nally who completed a senior sprint double in the 100/200m.
Majella Loftus and Linda Nally impressed at Masters level with sprint medals, and Jim Phelan produced another fine performance, taking gold in the men's Master 400m.
In the senior field events Pierce Hopwood made it a treble for GCH, taking senior gold in the shot putt, wfd throw and high jump.
At juvenile level Daniel Songodele claimed a Connacht record in the triple jump at U16 level, while GCH Relay teams impressed winning multiple golds.
Craughwell AC secured more than 50 medals, with impressive double-gold winners, Rachel Warde, Claudia Coyle, Sean Hoade, Donnacha Lawless, Eva Kelleher and Andrew Power.
Tuam AC enjoyed success with 15 gold medals wins, including a superb triple gold from Rachel Treacy, two victories for Danielle Moynihan, and Connacht records and wins for Alix Joyce, Matthew Newell and Savanagh O'Callaghan
Athenry AC claimed gold medals for U18 Sean Doggett in both the 400 and his preferred 800m, while Liam Shaw was a comfortable winner in both the U19 discus and shotput with another championship record. Castlegar AC earned gold via Lamar Lucciano in the U17 boys' 100m sprint.
South Galway AC, East Galway AC, Loch Lurgan, CRH and Loughrea also secured multiple medals and All Ireland qualifiers in Kate Lally, Beibheann Hosty, both Loch Lurgan. South Galway athletes Amy Rose Kelly and Orlaith Mannion set new Connacht Championship records, and there were outstanding performances also by Ciarán Kelleher, Sinead Maher and Torin McGuire.
Amy Rose Kelly stormed home to victory to become the first U17 Connacht girl to run sub 60 second for 400m, winning in 58.85 seconds.
National Track and Field League
Galway County men's and women's teams travel to Dublin to compete in round one of The National Track And Field League this Sunday in Dublin.
Galway men’s team is managed by Siobhan Kelleher of South Galway AC, while the women’s squad is led by the long serving Sarah Finnegan of Craughwell AC.
Many of the countys stand-out senior athletes, as well as a host of up-and-coming juniors, will compete for the squad including Abaas Edris, John Moroney and Keith Fallon in the men’s round , while the women's team featured stalwarts such as Laura Cunningham, Sinead Gaffney and Mary Barrett
DSD Games: Craughwell AC stars performed well in the inaugural 2023 DSD Games on Sunday at the new South Dublin track. Oisín Davis came home second in the the 1500m in 3:56 PB, closely followed by Sean Cotter in fourth (3:57 ). Sinead Gaffney put on another masterclass with a strong 2:18 over 800m, while Michelle Duggan, representing UCD AC and formerly Craughwell, ran a new best of 25.82 in the 200m to win her heat. Jack Maher and Keith Fallon also competed well for GCH.
Northern Ireland Championships: Aoife Sheehy of GCH stormed to third place finish in the 400m hurdles at the Northern Ireland & Ulster Track & Field Championships on Saturday, as she clocked 1:03.57, a personal best and GCH club record.
Fixtures: Bullaun 8k. The annual Bullaun 8km Road Race takes place this Friday June 23 at 7.30pm at the Loughrea village. Limited entry is available online on Event Master with some on the day at race HQ at Bullaun NS at from 6pm.
Tailteann Games: The Tailteann Games Interprovincial Schools match takes place in Carlow on Saturday June 24. Connacht take part with a strong Galway contingent on the squad.
