National Senior Track and Field Championships
Two Galway athletes were on the podium at the National Senior Track and Field Championships, held in Santry at the weekend.
GCH thrower Brendan Staunton of GCH won bronze in the weight for height throw, and Veronica Burke of Ballinasloe and District AC also secured a bronze medal in the women's 5000m walk, behind international walker Kate Veale.
Keith Fallon of Galway City Harriers made the 5,000 metres final where he placed a fine sixth in 15.11, after coming through the heats on Saturday in 15.06. Kathryn Casserly, also of GCH, ran well in the 800m heats, placing sixth in 2.22, but just missing a final spot.
Other Galway athletes had mixed fortunes, with GCH sprinters Jonah Erugo and Robert Meagher securing personal bests in the heats of the 200m, but Gary Thornton left disappointed, having to withdraw mid race from the 10,000 metres event after illness. He will likely now target the Streets of Galway 8k in two weeks, while a recurring calf injury kept GCH thrower Sean Breathnach out of the championships.
European U20 Championships
Talented GCH sprinter Cillin Greene competed in the U20 European Championships in Grosseto, Italy, last weekend, in both the 200m and the 4x100m relay. In the 200m Greene made it through the heats, where he ran 21.50. In the semi-finals, he ran 21.52, for sixth place, just missing a final berth. Greene also ran on the Irish 4x100m relay squad, which finished seventh in their heat.
Irish selection
Aoife Sheehy, Lydia Doyle and Laura Nally, all of GCH, have been selected to represent Ireland at the upcoming Celtic Games on August 5 in Morton Stadium as part of the Irish Development Squad.
Sheehy will compete in the 400m hurdles, Doyle in the 100m hurdles and Nally in the 4x400m relay. Selection was based on their excellent performances at this year’s national championships.
They will be joined by three Craughwell AC athletes, thrower Chloe Casey, and jumpers Jerry Keary and Laura Cunningham, also selected for the Irish U16 and U18 teams. Athenry AC’s Ryan McNelis has also been selected to represent Ireland in the 400m hurdles. The Irish squad will compete against teams from Scotland and Wales.
East Galway AC 5km
East Galway AC held a 5km run in Skehana, and first home was William Fitzgerald of Craughwell AC in 17.48, with Damien Larkin also Craughwell second over the line, and Mike Keating third. Sheila Reilly was winner of the women's race.
Eanna Folan of GCH placed second at the famous Cork City Sports track meet at the Mardyke Arena. Folan competed in the junior men's 1500m, running a personal best time of 4.04.
Streets of Galway 8k
With two weeks until the 32nd annual Galway Clinic Streets of Galway 8km, organised by Galway City Harriers, entries are flying in, with 2,500 entered already, and only 500 entries remaining. The prestigious race looks set for yet another full house on race day, Saturday August 12 (7pm start ). There are plenty of top runners from around the country entered, visitors from virtually every county in Ireland, and many from the UK and Europe, as well as many familiar faces on the Galway running scene. Entries are still open on Active.com National League
Day two of the National Track and Field League takes place Sunday next in Templemore, with GCH’s men's squad and Galway women ompeting in round two in the premier league. Galway County men compete in the first division.
