Super Weekend For Leevale Athletes


Leevale athletes were well and truly spread out at the weekend, including the European championships in Madrid, the Kit Kat All Ireland schools in Dungarvan, the national short course championships in Dublin and the Ballycotton 10.
Pride of place goes to Derval O’Rourke who broke her own Irish record for 60m hurdles in the first round of competition in Madrid.  Unfortunately she hit her ankle off the third hurdle in the semi final, causing swelling and bruising, and that cost her a place in the final.
Both Ailis McSweeney and Jer O’Donoghue competed in the 60m without getting past the first round.  The experience will surely stand to them in future international competition.
Seasoned campaigner Mark Carroll easily qualified for the final of the 3,000m and then played a big part in Alastair Cragg’s superb run to gold in the final.
All four can look forward to a great track season.
The Ballycotton 10 saw Claire Gibbons continue her excellent return to racing, winning in a very respectable 57:52, the best part of two minutes ahead of the second.
John O’Leary remains in peak condition and was a worthy winner of the over 65 section.
The Kit Kat All Ireland schools cross country championships were held at a resplendent St. Augustine’s in Dungarvan on Saturday.  The senior race saw John Shine battle well in the closing stages to win bronze.
The national short course cross country championships were held in Tymon Park in Dublin on Sunday and saw Mark Hanrahan run an excellent race for the bronze medal.