Harriers relay quartet set new club record

Tullamore Harriers AC News

There were scorching performances and a new club record at the Leinster Junior (U-20) Track and Field Championships.

Four Tullamore Harriers athletes travelled to Carlow last weekend for the competition. The ideal weather conditions for track and field contributed to some outstanding results.

In the long jump event, Katie Deverell and Eimear Cotter were first up to represent the club. Both athletes had performed well in the Leinster Schools championships, and they continued to improve their performances.

Katie led the competition until the last round with a personal best (PB) jump of 532cm. However, she was pushed into second place when another athlete from Ratoath AC matched her distance, but secured the top position based on a countback. Eimear also improved on her previous performance and secured the bronze medal with an outdoor PB of 523cm.

Moving to the track events, Alisha Maher and Lucy Champ competed in the 100m sprint. They were both in the first heat, which was highly competitive. Alisha had a better start and finished strongly, achieving a PB time of 12.45 and securing second place. Lucy faced some challenges from the beginning but showed determination, finishing with a time of 12.85 and securing the 10th overall position.

In the final, Alisha repeated her impressive performance, finishing with a time of 12.50 and earning the bronze medal.

The day concluded with all four girls participating in the 4 x 100m relay. Eimear started off the race, followed by Alisha and Lucy on the straights, and Katie running the second bend. Each athlete showcased their speed and executed flawless baton exchanges, resulting in a second-place finish.

Their finishing time of 49.03 not only secured them the silver medal but also surpassed the club's previous record of 50.44, set in 2018 by Katelyn Farrelly, Katie Bourke, Kate Cunningham, and Grainne Lalor.

On the following day, Teagan Delaney competed in the junior ladies' 200m sprint. In heat two, Teagan delivered an excellent race, finishing sixth with a PB time of 28.23. Approximately 90 minutes later, she outperformed herself once again by achieving an even better PB time of 28.20, despite facing a challenging -2.4 wind, stronger than in her earlier race.

These five young ladies showcased impressive performances over the course of two days, considering they still have three more years in the junior age category. Their dedication, talent and continuous improvement bode well for their future in athletics.

Leinster Track & Field Championships

Jim Langan claimed gold in the Master O80 1500m at the Leinster Track & Field championships in Carlow, while Darragh Carroll lined out in the Senior Men's 1500m. Darragh posted a PB of 4.31.87. Congratulations to both Jim and Darragh.

Well done Adrian Brennan who secured two Leinster medals last weekend. Adrian, competing in three events in the M60 category, at the Leinster Athletics Outdoor Track and Field championships in SETU, Carlow, won silver in the Shot Putt (5kg) with a best throw of 9.42; and gold in the Long Jump with 3:57. Adrian ran the 100m sprint, and was just outside the medals with a time of 14.58.

Congratulations to Paul Kilmartin on taking the O40 400m silver medal at the Leinster Masters Outdoor Track and Field championships in Carlow. Paul clocked 1:00:47.

He competed in the National May Open Track & Field meet in Templemore on the May 21st posting 59.80 and, on Wednesday of last week, Paul lined out for the 400m at the Dublin Graded meet in Lucan with a finish time of 1:00:87.

Edinburgh Marathon

Huge congratulations to the Harriers troops who competed in the Edinburgh Marathon last Sunday. Similar to the temperatures in Ireland, the athletes had very warm humid conditions to contend with. Two Harriers ladies, Miriam Brady and Mary Fox Mann, ran the half marathon with both clocking 2.49.23. Well done ladies.

First home for Tullamore Harriers in the marathon was James Guilfoyle with a great time of 2.51.00. Fergal Leonard was next in 2.59.12.

The other results were as follows - Mick Murphy 3.00.52; Liam Byrne 3.11.23; Lesley Cornally 3 31.14; Dermot Smith 3.32.09; Alan Mitchell 3.43.24; Lar Tierney 3.57.54; Denis Flynn 4.15.10; Eugene Mann 4.41.19. Congratulations everyone.

Fixtures

2nd June: Ballyskenach AC 5k (ORRS R5); Irish Life All-Ireland Schools Track and Field, Tullamore Harriers.

3rd June: Leinster Children’s Games U12-13, Tullamore Harriers.

9th June: Naomh Mhuire AC, Daingean 5k (ORRS R6).

18th June: Jack Cox 10k (Offaly 10k Championship) Race 2 of Athletics Endurance Series.

Training

Senior training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.40pm to 8.30pm.