Galway athlete Chloe Casey has set a new national record.
Casey, of Craughwell AC, was the undoubted star at the National Juvenile Indoor Track and Field Championships in Athlone at the weekend when winning gold in the U16 shot putt. Her enormous throw of 14.21 metres also set a new Irish record.
Casey was among several Galway athletes to shine in Athlone. Jack Dempsey of GCH also claimed gold in the 60m, with a superb time of 6.97 seconds, while clubmate Lydia Doyle won silver in the U18 60m sprint. The GCH U19 boys relay squad of Sean Kilmartin, sprint champion Jack Dempsey, Luke O'Shaughnessy and Darren Costello, took silver, just pipped by old rivals Menapians AC.
In field events, Jerry Keary of Craughwell AC won silver in the U18 high jump leaping 1.96m, Eoghan Jennings of GCH won a superb silver in the U16 pole vault, clearing a height of 2.75 m, while Liam Shaw of Athenry AC threw a huge 12.47 metres in the U13 shot putt to also claim a silver medal.
Brendan Lynch of Loughrea AC was third in the U19 long jumps with a 6.25m leap, while Jack Hession of Tuam AC took bronze in the U14 long jump, and Evan Hallinan of Craughwell AC took well deserved bronze in the U13 high jump.
There were several athletes who just missed out on medals, notably GCH's Aaron Brennan at U17, and Eanna Folan at U19, both fourth placed in exciting 1500m races.
Schools international
Cillian Jordan of St Enda's College Galway, helped junior boys Irish schools team to second team overall in the SIAB International Cross Country held Saturday in Port Talbot in Wales. Jordan, who was making his international debut, finished a fine 16th overall and was fourth scorer on the Irish team.
At the World Masters Championships in Daegu, South Korea last week, Sean McDermott of Castlegar AC and Ian Egan of Tuam AC both claimed medals. McDermott won a superb team gold medal on the Irish Over 35s cross country team, while Egan won half marathon bronze along with the Irish squad at O45 level. Egan also put in a season's best 3k performance, clocking 10.12 for fifth place in the track event.
At home Damien Ryan took the honours at the Ballinderry 5km, hosted by Corofin AC. In superb conditions for running on Sunday Stephen Nash finished second, with Brian Lalor third. The first woman home was Claire Rowe of GCH, with Eimear Bray of Corofin AC second and Karen Burke third.
Fixtures
Next on the road racing fixture list is the New Inn 5km on Sunday April 2 at 1pm,
Registration is €10 from 11am on the day in New Inn Leisure Centre or at the school during school hours prior to the race. There will be prizes galore, with refreshments and prizegiving in the leisure centre.
