Leevale athletes produced another wonderful display at the Woodie’s DIY national junior and under 23 championships last Sunday. There was bright sunshine for most of the day with very little wind, making it perfect for athletics. However, there were several downpours that resulted in short delays during competition.
Mark Hanrahan, competing in the under 23 1,500m, was in terrific form. He took the lead from the gun and had his rivals at full stretch long before the end of the first lap. He kept up the effort throughout the race and finished well clear in a time of 3:49.11, well inside his previous best for the distance.
Derek Duff made it a double in the under 23 sprints, looking relaxed and confident in taking the 100m in 11.00 and the 200m in 22.15.
Pawel Hazler was another in great form. He started the day with a good win in the junior hammer with a throw of 54.01m, and followed up with a new PB in the discus of 50.10. His efforts to make it a treble came unstuck 
when he finished second in the shot to Colin Quirke.
Training partner Sarah Bradfield was third in the discus with a throw of 34.36m.
David Quilligan, unlucky not to be heading to the EYOF, was third in the junior long jump with a best of 6.45m. He was also seventh in the 100m in 11.42.
Harriet Cross, back from Scotland, was second in the long jump with a best of 5.46m, and she also finished fifth in the 100m in 12.90, with Louise McArdle seventh in 13.03. Louise was later sixth in the 200m in 26.70.
Katey Byrd was a close second in the under 23 100m hurdles, and also placed third in the 100m in 13.03.
Greg O’Leary is quickly getting back to his best over the ‘quarter’ and he was fifth in the under 23 400m in 50.19, less than half a second behind the winner. Cathal Owens was sixth in the junior 400m in 51.08, and Emma Gayer was eight in her junior 400m.
Overall it was a great day for Leevale athletes