Galway’s young athletes returned home from the 123.ie National Juvenile Indoor Championships with a major medal haul across a range of events.
For clubs throughout Galway such as Galway City Harriers, South Galway AC, Tuam AC, West Coast AC, Craughwell AC, Athenry, Clare River Harriers and Castlegar AC, it proved to be one of the most successful national indoor campaigns in recent years for the county.
West Coast AC emerged as one of the standout clubs of the championships, collecting three national titles. Sprint star Angela Cielecka was crowned U19 National Champion in both the 60m and 200m, completing an impressive double. In the field events, Daniel Sangodele added to the club’s gold tally by taking the U19 Triple Jump title.
Craughwell AC enjoyed a six-medal weekend. The gold medals were secured by Rachel Warde, who took the U18 Girls 60m Hurdles title, and Halle Feerick, who produced an outstanding performance to win the U15 High Jump. Silver was claimed by Lauren Kilduff in the U19 60m Hurdles, while the club also collected three bronze medals through Emma O’Donovan (U19 60m Hurdles ), Lauren Kelly (U15 60m Hurdles ) and Aaron Burke (U14 Boys Shot Put ).
Castlegar AC enjoyed a landmark weekend, highlighted by two milestone achievements. In the U15 Boys 1000m Race Walk, Grofu Newell delivered one of the performances of the championships. Sitting in second for much of the race, he unleashed a sensational surge over the final 200 metres to claim gold in a PB time of 4:25.9 — the third national title of his young career. Cliodhna Ní Chonaill delivered an outstanding performance in the U17 girls’ Race Walk, securing her first indoor gold medal in style.
There was further celebration when Nicola Grealish secured the club’s first-ever national Shot Put medal, earning silver with a PB of 10.08m.
Athenry star Noah Brady delivered a standout performance, as he claimed victory in the U14 Boys Shot Put and silver in the U14 boys 60m Hurdles. In the U15 boys 60m Hurdles, clubmate Harry Melia delivered a brilliant run to earn a well deserved bronze medal.
Clare River Harriers AC had a fantastic weekend with Ava Dinkin claiming a gold medal and setting a new national record in the U14 1km Walk in a time of 4.44 seconds. Hazel Dinkiny claimed bronze in the U16 Walk with an impressive time of 8.04 seconds.
Galway City Harriers secured a haul of five silver medals at the National Indoors with Dylan Devitt and Elliana Magnetti claiming brilliant silvers on Day One in the 600m and Hurdles respectively. On Day Two, U13 sprinter Maneli Fazaeli claimed silver in the Girls 60m, missing gold by mere thousandths of a second. In the U14 walk, Mia O’Toole made club history by securing Galway City Harriers’ first national medal in Race Walking. The success continued at U19 level, where Shane McGovern stormed to silver in the 400m with a personal best of 50.10 seconds, marking an impressive end to his juvenile career.
South Galway AC added to Galway’s medal tally with podium finishes in both throws and walking events. In the U14 Girls Shot Put, Holly Carey produced a dramatic final-round throw of 11.08m, moving from fifth to bronze with a stunning PB. Race walking standout Ciarán Kelleher secured yet another All-Ireland medal, taking silver in the U18 Boys 1500m walk. There was further podium success when Calum Cummins captured silver in the U14 Boys Shot Put.
Tuam AC continued their tradition of excellence in the walking events. Emma Howson claimed the U15 All-Ireland title in the 1000m Walk, producing a commanding performance to secure gold. In the U16 Boys 1500m Walk, Teagan Rooney delivered a strong race to take silver. The medals kept coming when Aoibheann O’Malley soared to silver in the U15 Girls High Jump.
All in all, a very successful two days of competition with well over 100 competing athletes, and day three to follow on April 11.
