 The contrast in weather between Saturday and Sunday for the All Ireland juvenile track and field championships just couldn’t have been more varied. Saturday, the hottest day of the year so far, was followed by a dull, wet Sunday, although conditions improved somewhat towards the end. Most Cork success once again came in the sprints and field events. Sharon Kelly of Leevale was in cracking form with impressive wins in the 100m, 200m and 100m hurdles, finishing well clear in each event at under 18 level. Aisling Maunsell from Leevale won the under 17 100m and had seconds in the 200m and 300m. Nicole O’Regan carried the Togher colours to double victories in the under 16 300m and 300m hurdles, while Deirdre Murphy from Leevale won both shot and discus under 17. Darren Blower had a good second place finish in the under 17 shot behind Kerry strong guy Eoin Leen. Leevale’s Bryan McCarthy ran a great race in the under 17 400m. In his first season at the distance he easily qualified for the final. He went off fairly steady in the final, and really exploded at the 200m mark. Coming into the straight he had a good lead, and looked very much the winner. However, he weakened a little nearing the line and was passed in the last few metres and had to settle for an excellent second place with a time of 51.44. James McCarthy from Riverstick Kinsale had a great race in the under 16 3,000m, just outpaced by winner Mark Christie from Mullingar. The Blarney Inniscarra club supplied winners in the boys under 17 javelin with Troy Murphy, and the under 16 shot with John Dillworth, while Fionnuala Lombard of Leevale won the under 18 shot, along with a third place finish in the discus, and Michael Mullane of Ballincollig won the under 17 hammer. Caroline Lane of Leevale was a very close second in the under 17 triple jump; Donna Hosford had an easy win in the under 15 long jump, and also was second in the sprint hurdles; and Orla Coughlan had an excellent 100m/200m double at under 14 level. |
