The Galway Indoor Track and Field championships took place last weekend over two days, on Saturday and Sunday 25 and 26 January.
Withstanding the storm and its impact, a huge contingent of athletes, parents and coaches attended on both days and the high energy of youth saw some outstanding competition.
All Galway clubs competing secured numerous medals across the 100 plus events held over the two days, with events from U9 age group right through to Senior and Masters level.
At Senior level, there were high quality fields in evidence, notably in a cracking Men’s 1500m, won by guest Finlay Daly of Sligo AC and Ireland in a fast 3.55 clocking, just ahead of Galway champion Oisin Davis of Craughwell AC. Padraig Faherty of GCH took the Men’s 3000m crown, in 9.01, while Dee McCrae of GCH claimed Ladies gold in the 3000m.
In the sprints, Judy Maina of West Coast AC won the Galway title in the Ladies 60m, with Laura Ann Costello fastest over 200m for GCH. Fauve Aylmer won the Galway 800m event for West Coast, with Alex Joyce of Tuam AC going in the Ladies Elite race fastest of the Galway contingent over 800m. In the field, Craughwell trio Jade Moorhead, Sarah Finnegan and Alisha Larkin secured High, Triple and Long Jump gold respectively. Mary Barrett secured Shot Putt gold, with Margaret Higgins the Weight throw champion, while Loch Lurgans Beibhinn Hosty was the Race Walk winner.
Also in the Men’s, there were wins for Andrew Egan of GCH in the 60m in a fast 6.92 seconds, clubmate Richard Kamsen in the Hurdles and Ben Edeh of West Coast over 200m, and 400m with two superb efforts. John Whiriskey for South Galway AC won Men’s 800m gold.
In the field, there were wins for Ben Sheehan of GCH in the Men’s Long Jump and Shot, Richard Kamsen GCH won the Triple Jump, with Justin Lane of Craughwell claiming the Weight for Distance gold.
Overall, it was noteworthy to see new club West Coast AC win 10 golds and set seven championship records at the event.
At Juvenile level for West Coast, a brace of gold medals came from Angela Cielecka, winning the U18 girl’s 60m (7.80 ) and U18 girl’s long jump (5.28 ), breaking the championship records for both events.
There was a one-two for West Coast in the U19 boy’s 200m, with the national indoor and outdoor 200m champion, Leon Ewere easing home in a blistering new championship record of 22.75
Another two gold medals for West Coast AC came in the long jump. Michelle Nnadi jumped 5.05m. Ben Moran jumped 5.80m in the u18 boy’s long jump. West Coast’s tenth and final gold medal of the day came in the U18 boys 4x200m relay.
Tuam AC secured 23 Gold, 14 Silver and 11 Bronze with multiple golds for the likes of Rachel Treacy and Rebecca Moynihan, with Chloe Haverty and Sarah Hartnett others to shine with gold medals.
Galway City Harriers had a massive turnout of athletes across the two days and the clubs Juvenile section claimed a huge haul of 36 Gold, 20 Silver and 22 Bronze medals, with stars of the day including Dylan Devitt , Lucy Hounkponou, Fionn Law and Justin McCarthy.
Craughwell AC secured top billing with over 40 gold medals, across both track and field events, with jumpers Conor Penney, Darragh Kelly, Muireann Kelly and Matiss Ozolins just a few of those contributing handsomely to the total.
Athenry AC have thrived in recent years and their Juvenile section produced eight golds, with middle distance stars Harry Melia and Rian Collins among the medal winners.
Clare River Harriers hard work during the last few months was really evident, with a double win for Emma O Malley at U11, and wins for the likes of Patrick Lee, Hazel Diskin, Holly Hession and Elise Day among the highlights.
Castlegar AC travelled in numbers and again secured a major medal hall, among their winners were Isabelle Conroy over 800m, and Cliodhna Ni Chonaill in the Race walks. Other clubs medalling were Caltra and District, East Galway AC and Connemara.
Next up is the Connacht Indoors at the end of February.
