Several of Galway’s best athletes raced at the Le Cheile track meeting in Kildare on Friday over a series of middle distance events.
Galway City Harrier’s 800 metre star Alanna Lally secured a World Championship Junior standard with a run of 2.08.49 in the women’s international event. Keith Fallon of GCH ran a good time of 1.53.41 in the men’s 800m, while Craughwell’s Peadar Harvey ran 1.58.6 and Damien O Boyle was just outside two minutes in the same event. Jamie Fallon of Craughwell ran a personal best of 4.00.40 in the 1500 metres.
Renville 5k
Some 600 runners compted in this year’s annual 5k in Renville in aid of Galway Autism. Young Clare athlete Jake O’Regan of St John’s AC stormed to victory in the annual 5k in Renville, Oranmore, in a time of 15.33. Rory Maloney of West Waterford was second in 16.15, with US visitor Brian Klein third in 17.07. GCH athlete Regina Casey took the ladies’ win in 18.02, ahead of perennial rival Jane Ann Healy of Athenry AC in second in 18.18.
Track and Field Championships
A highly competitive programme of events took place at the second day of the Galway Adult track and Field championships 2014 on Sunday in Dangan.
The highlight of the day was the men’s senior 800m in which Craughwell ACs rising middle distance runner, Peadar Harvey, took a hard-earned victory in 2.00.27 after a great battle with Loughrea’s Peter O’Sullivan, second in 2.00.9, Damien O’Boyle of Craughwell finished in third and took the junior title in 2.00.94. Sean McDermott of Castlegar AC took the over 35 title in 2.18, and Coleman Greene of CRH the over 50s.
The women’s 800m saw a gun to tape victory from Caroline Whiriskey, of Loughrea AC, in 2.24, with Niamh Hennelly of GCH and Rachel Finnegan of Craughwell taking the other podium spots. Jane Walsh of GCH pipped Emer O’Connell for the Master 35 title, and Peggy Higgins won the M50.
The 200m events also saw some superb races, particularly at junior level, where Conor Duggan of Craughwell ran an excellent 22.87 to take the men’s junior title from James Mitchell of GCH in second. The ladies’ junior race saw two top class sprinters in action, with guest athlete Louise Holmes of KCH taking first in 24.98 , and Sinead Treacy of Craughwell AC taking the county gold in second, clocking 25.43. The senior ladies champion was Sarah Finnegan of Craughwell, while victory in the senior men’s championship went to Ronan Coyle GCH in 24.01. The masters titles went to Jane Walsh GCH ( M35 ), Peggy Higgins, Corofin (M50 ), with Ronan McCarthy of Athenry and Coleman Greene of CRH claiming the men’s gold medals.
The ladies’ 3000m saw some great battles for the medals, with Caroline Whiriskey taking the gold, but not without a fight. Esther O’Flaherty of GCH putting up a tremendous challenge before the pace of Whiriskey took her away in the last lap. O’Flaherty claimed M35 gold, and Niamh Hennelly of GCH claimed third spot and second senior with a solid run. M50 victory went to the evergreen Peggy Higgins of Corofin, her second of five medals claimed on the day.
The Men’s 5000m saw the biggest field of the day with 18 starters, and the 12.5 lap event went according to the form book with Peter O’Sullivan leading the whole way to claim a well-deserved gold in 16.15. County 10km champion Ollie Mullins was second (and first veteran ), with GCH stalwart Gerry Carty third in 16.54. First O50 Master was TJ Whyte of Tuam, after an absorbing battle with GCH athlete Martin Kearney.
Once again it was national champion Sean Breathnach who took the men’s shot putt senior title, with a best of six throw of 15.82m, second senior was Eanna O’Cathain and third Brendan Staunton, both GCH.
Breathnach also claimed both discus and weight for distance titles, with throws of 47.85m and 7.94m respectively. Linus Mitkas of GCH pushed the champion close in both events, coming second in discus with 42.19 and third in the weight, and claiming a double Masters 35 gold in the process. Mary Barrett cemented her position as the county’s best female thrower with 24.55m.
