The second leg of the Mazda National League was held in sun drenched Tullamore today and Leevale athletes once again turned out in strength to compete for the club. And again every single athlete was prepared to compete in any event they were asked. It looks very much like both men’s and women’s teams have qualified for the finals which will now be held in Tullamore on August 13, providing valuable competition for club members. The men’s team, starting the day in ninth place overall, have leap-frogged Nenagh and West Waterford and look to be in seventh place (results from the other pool have yet to be confirmed). John Sheehan’s coaching continues to provide the basis for Leevale’s success, with the majority of the team coached by him. With very young teams competing the future looks very bright for the club, with a bright future for all the athletes. Well Done everyone.Results and Commentary by “Coach”
Men
100m Donal McCarthy 10.78 in second – just collared on the line.
200m Donal McCarthy 22.20 in second – good placing
400 Brian Murphy 51.49 in fourth – back from a successful Oasis concert
800m David Brosnan 1:51.90 in second – just off the plane from Iona college in NY
1,500m Ian Donovan 4:02.84 in second – PB but capable of running faster – great fight last 100m.
5,000m Bryan Keane 15:16.36 in second – season’s best, but still slower than when he was 16
3,000m s/c Damian Collins 10:33.11 in second – (The Great Damo) reputedly coached by Mark Carroll
110m hurdles Sean Casey fifth – North Mon want him to concentrate on Cross-Country
400m hurdles Sean Casey 63.30 in third. – glides over them.
Triple Jump Sean Casey 11.45 in second – could be his event
High Jump Barry O’Brien 1.85 to win – capable of going much higher
Long Jump Barry O’Brien fourth 5.95 – and much longer
Javelin Jer O’Donoghue seventh – definitely not his event
Shot Donal McCarthy eight – needs more speed work in circle
Walk Kevin Shine third in 19:51.47 – super sub
Hammer Kevin Shine sixth
4x100m 2nd Leevale in 43.78
4x400m 2nd Leevale in 3:24.1 Barry O’Brien 52.9; Brian Murphy 51.1; Darren O’Donovan 50.6; David Brosnan 49.5.
Women
100m Derval O’Rourke third in 12.38 – good run
200m Sheila Buckley fifth in 27.78 – good effort
400m Melissa Mullins fourth in 61.22 – club’s long distance traveller to every event
800m Sharon O’Mahony third in 2:33.42 – another all-round competitor
1,500m Sinead Falvey fourth – SOS for middle distance runners
3,000m Carmel Parnell first in 10:23.94 – another superb performance by this never say die runner
100m Hurdles Derval O’Rourke first in 14.17 – well on way to World juniors in S.America in October.
400m hurdles Sinead Falvey second in 65.88 – glides over them -great work by Seamus Power
Walk Tracey Gosnell fourth – another good effort
4x100m Leevale second
4x400m Leevale second
High Jump Sharon O’Mahony third in 1.40 – one to watch
Hammer Melissa Mullins third in 18.95 – not everyone wants to do this
Javelin Melissa Mullins third in 24.45 – nice one
Shot Fionnuala Lombard second in 10.87 – just pipped by narrow margin
Discus Fionnuala Lombard third – from a very talented family
Triple Jump Caroline Lane third in 10.37 – excellent performance
Long Jump Sharon O’Mahony second in 5.17 – good performance