The Munster senior and vets track and field championships were held at the CIT track today. A heavy shower of rain threatened the early stages of the event, but, thankfully, it cleared, making for some excellent competition. Tony Lilley of Togher was back in action in the 800m, looking to enhance his reputation as one of the leading half milers in the country. He broke well at the gun, taking up the lead. Pushing hard, he looked well in control with 200m to go. However, a very persistent challenge was maintained by Colm Rothery of Metro, who was running as a guest. With 200m to go the pair were together, and the feeling was that the Togher man would pull away, considering that Rothery in now into his forties. It was not to be, with the Dub running on strongest for a shock win in a time of 1:55.21.
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The 100m saw Tom Comyn of Limerick sprint strongest of all to win well from the Leevale pair of Olympian Donal McCarthy and Jer O’Donoghue (left photo). Fiacra Lombard of Leevale never looked likely to lose the 1,500m (right photo) after a very positive start that saw him draw right away from the field from the gun. Clubmate Bryan Keane ran on strongly to take second. Carmel Crowley of Bandon took the lead from the start of the 5,000m, with Louise Cavanagh of UCC on her shoulder. The order stayed like that for the first four laps, until Cavanagh took over. The result was never in question after that as Cavanagh went on to win from the west Cork woman. The 400m saw Robert Fleming from Waterford win impressively in the 400m with Brian Murphy of Leevale a good second. Liam Long from Blarney Inniscarra won the mens pole vault, while Fionnuala Lombard of Leevale won the shot from clubmate Deirdre Murphy, with the placings reversed as the pair took silver and bronze in the discus. Niamh O’Riordan of Togher took second in the javelin, while Brian Wall of East Cork was second in the long jump. Leevale won all four relays on offer, the 4x400m’s and the 4x100m’s, with Darren Keenan, in particular, getting much satisfaction from his first Munster gold in a long number of years. He did, however, have a lot of help from Barry O’Brien, Ian Donovan and Brian Murphy! Shauna O’Brien from Carrick on Shannon won the womens 100m from Ailis McSweeney and Sharon Kelly, while caroline Lane was second in the triple jump. |