by Perri Williams
Wasn’t it another great week of athletics in Europe? Our u20s gave a great account of themselves in Finland. Here at Run Republic, we kept you up to date with what was happening on a daily basis – from that wonderful gold medal from Conor Kelly to our numerous finalist and preliminary round participants.
But there were plenty of Irish in action elsewhere. On Friday Eric Favours (Raheny) produced a seasons best of 20.48m at the Powerfest Throws meet in PA. Its also a World Championship B standard. Oordegem (Belgium) has become a conglomerate for athletes chasing good races and fast times over the summer. In total 50 athletes travelled to the Belgium mecca to compete in distances from 100m to 5000m. The highlights include: Darragh McIlhenny (Bantry) gaining a personal best of 13.02.26 in the 5000m, again inside the World Championships B standard. As fantastic as the time is, it still does not assure him of qualification, thus he will have to keep racing. His superb time does move him to second on the Irish all-time list. It’s been a long haul back to this level, but coach Emmet Dunleavy has been with him all the way. Nick Griggs (CNDR) continues to make a later than anticipated comeback with 13.05.75. A time which is a new u23 national record, a B standard and moves him to 5th on the Irish all-time list. He will also have to keep racing to seek qualification for the World Championships. His CDNR teammates Callum Morgan (13.23.27), Conall McClean (13.41.92), Tony McCambridge (13.48.49) and Luke Kelly (14:10.36) all secured personal bests over the same distances. Coach Mark Kirk is doing fantastic work with this group in Belfast and must surely be beaming after the weekend. Cian McPhillips (UCD) finished first overall in the 800m, with a rapid 1:44.34. Coach Joe Ryan taking him to new territory this year. It was good to see Cillian Green (GCH) take a season’s best of 46.12 in the 400m. A large contingent from Galway City Harriers competed.
In Trafford at the British Milers meet, a handful of Irish athletes took to the track with almost all of them securing personal bests. Robert Hewison (Kildare AC) secured a new personal best of 1.48.42 in the 800m. In the ladies 5000m Claire Fagan (Mullingar) continues to improve as she finished second with a new personal best of 16.04.40 in the 5000m, just one spot ahead of Faye Dervan (DCH) with 16.07.72. Frank O’Brien (East Cork) and Kevin McGrath (Bohermeen) were two other athletes to strike a personal best with 3:48.52 and 3.48.99, respectively in the 1500m. Amy O’Donohue (Emerald) secured a personal best of 4.13.72 in the ladies 1500m.
Our juniors are starting to build up experience too. Eimear Cooney (Ace) racing in Belgium and Clodagh O’Callaghan (KCH) in Trafford.
While up North, at the Northern Ireland and Ulster Senior Championships a number of other athletes took part, including Rachel McCann (North Down), Sarah Leahy (Killarney Valley), Anna Gavigan (LSA) to name but a few.
RESULTS
