Leevale Athletes in Form



Leevale athletes were in fine form over the weekend.  At the British AAA under 23 championships Ailis McSweeney continued her excellent form in the sprints.  On Saturday she finished third in the first heat fo the 100m in a time of 11.88, qualifying for the final.  In that final she finished a creditable fifth, clocking the exact same 11.88 seconds.  Unfortunately, that is just outside the 11.80 that would qualify her for the European under 23 championships (to which her coach John Sheehan is team coach!).
On Sunday she lined up for the 200m and again qualified for the final, clocking 24.71 in third place.  In the final she finished sixth in a time of 25.58.  On Saturday she has another chance to qualify when she runs the 100m at the BUPA Cork City Sports on a brand new track at the Mardyke.
Meanwhile, Cathal Lombard lines up in the British AAA’s 10,000m championship at Watford on Saturday.  The field includes Bob Kennedy, Brad Hauser, Ben Noad, Karl Keska, Ian Hudspith and a host of other top class runners.  Should be an excellent race.
There was plenty to cheer about at the Lucozade Sport Munster under age track and field championships at CIT on Sunday.  Greg O’Leary had a fluent sprint double in the under 18 age group, easily winning the 100m and 200m.  He also sealed victory for Leevale in the under 18 4x100m, and then brought the 4x400m team from fourth to second with a sparkling 50.9 last leg.
Carl McNamara was equally impressive in winning the under 17 100m and 200m, and also added the 100m hurdles and won silver in the long jump.  He also played a big part in the relays.
Mark Hanrahan had a very easy winning double in the under 19 1,500m and 3,000m.
Paul O’Flynn had a winning jump of 6.71m to win the under 19 long jump, while donna won the under 18 long jump and also was third in the 100m, where Aileen Pomphrett was second.  Aileen was also second in the 200m.  Amy Clarke was third in the under 19 long jump, won the 200m, and was second in the 100m.
Claire McSweeney was second in the 200m and third in the 300m; Orla Coughlan won the under 17 100m, but fell twenty metres for the line in the 200m; and Claire Looney was third in the under 15 100m , and Lorna Buckley was second in the under 16 100m.
Needless to say, Kathleen Fitzgerald won the under 17 shot with a throw of 12.85m, while her sister Maura was third in the under 15 shot.
Ciaran O’Lionaird won two bronze medals in the under 16 800m and 1,500m; John Shine was second in the under 18 1,500m and third in the 800m – and clocked 54 for his leg of the 4x400m!  Brendan Perrott was second in the under 17 400m; David Quilligan won the under 14 long jump; Brian Manning was second in the under 14 800m; and Aaron Hornibrook won bronze in the under 18 steeple.  Last, but not least, Darren Loftus won the under 14 200m and was third in the 80m.
Brilliant performances by everyone.  Well Done, and apologies to anyone overlooked here.       (Results)