There were some fantastic performances from a number of Galway athletes in the IUAA Indoor Championships in Athlone.
Star of the show was Craughwell AC high jumper Cathriona Farrell, competing with DCU. Farrell set an Irish indoor high jump record in winning the event with a leap of 1.81 metres.
NUIG and GCH athlete Orlane Dubo won the combined events (high jump, 60m hurdles, long jump, 800m, shot, ) with a total of 3244 points, an NUIG record, and also took long jump bronze with 5.27 m. Alicia Boylan of NUIG won the women’s1500m walk in 7.10.
GMIT race walker Eric Hynes took bronze in the 2k walk, pipping NUIG man Peter Mannion for the third spot in a close finish. Alvy Carragher of NUIG and GCH took bronze with a typically strong performance in the 3000m women’s race, running 10.32 . Conall Mahon NUIG took bronze also in the triple jump with 13.63m.
Keith Fallon of GCH, running in DCU colours, was fourth in a top class 1500m, running 3.57, with winner John Travers storming home in a superb time of 3.42, a universities’ record. Peadar Harvey of Craughwell and UL did well in getting seventh place in the 800m final in 2.00.62
South Galway 8K
This weekend sees the annual South Galway AC 8k race which takes in the town of Gort and surrounds.
The race kicks off at 1.30pm and record crowds are expected with the popularity of road racing at an all-time high. Registration and race start is at Gort Community centre.
Galway’s Matt Bidwell of Galway City Harriers won his fourth Maree 8k Run in a row on Sunday.
The Galway City Harrier took the honours in a time of 26.46, followed by Mick Fogarty of Athlone Tri Club in second and Rory Moloney of West Waterford third.
Regina Casey of GCH continued her winning start to the season with victory in the ladies’ section in a time of 30.13, which put her well clear of Mayo AC athletes Ann Lennon and Colette Tuohy, second and third respectively. More than 320 athletes took part in the event a testament to a well organised event by local club Maree AC in conjuction with Amphibian King.
Top Galway distance runner Gary Thornton raced in the a highly competitive 10km in Wexford town, and ran a solid 30.17 for second place behind Tom Fitzpatrick of Tallaght AC (29.59 ).
