National Seniors and Masters

Congradulations to Sophie Becker of St Josephs AC on her first medal at the National Senior Track and Field. Fantastic running for this 21 year old to push the limits and finish in 2nd place in the 400m. Sophie started the race fast and by 100m had already passed the pre-race favourite Sinead Dennehy of DSD. Rounding the home straight she was marginally ahead – to be passed at 360m by fast finishing Claire Mooney, who has already achieved the qualifying standard for Berlin in the 800m. Also running really well was Ciara Deely who made the final and finished in 6th place. Spare a thought for Cliodha Manning, the defending champion who is injured and fast fighting the race to be fit for Berlin – the European championships due to start next week.

Sadly Sophie Becker produced the county’s only medal on the day. But the throwing contingent from Brow Rangers came close. Padraig and Sean Maher took on the men’s weight for distance and finished 4th and 5th respectively. Just marginally off a podium slot. Then Aoife Coady competed in the inaugeral weight for distance and finished a very creditable 7th. With John Joe Kelly also 7th in the shot putt. Niall Sheehan of Gowran was 11th in his 5000m heat. Shane Power of St Josephs was 8th in the pole vault. 8th in the pole ve mens 5000m.

Masters Shine

Led by the mighty men of Brow, our throwers just seem to get better and better. Brow took home 4 gold and 2 bronze medals, with 4 4th placings following up. The numbers in all events were high today – putting their performances in perspective.
Joe Kelly won two of these gold in the over 50s discus and hammer with a 3rd in the shot and 4th in the weight for distance. And Dad Murty, showed athletics can be done at any age – at the ripe old age of over 70, he won both hammer and discus with 4th in the shot and weight for distance. Another Kelly, Kieran was 3rd in the over 35 shot. Is there no end to the talented Kellys. Pat Maher was 4th in the weight for distance over 60.
With Austin Lee sick and Varena Fenlon injured, the race walkers of St Josephs were left flying the St Josephs AC flag. Maggie Hellen who has been doing so well of late – picked up a back injury last week and was unable to compete – we hope to see her in action again soon. John Joe Lawlor was 1st in the over 50 mens with Brid Lawlor 1st in the over 55 ladies and Tracey Malone 1st in the over 40 ladies. 3 gold medals is not a bad days work for this southern club.
And another southern club making an appearance at National Masters was St Senans AC. Mark Gerathy was 7th in the over 35 100m and 6th in the 200m.
Some results in from Gowran AC
Caitriona Corr 2nd in the 200m and 100m over 40 female.
Padraig Crawford 1st in 100mH and 2nd in High Jump over 35 males
Frankie Fitzpatrick in 2nd in Javelin over 35.