Munster Senior T&F and Juvenile Combined Events

Very small numbers attended the Munster Senior Open T&F Championships and the Juvenile Combined Events held in Castleisland on Sunday 25th May. On a good athletics day at a great venue only 2 Leevale Combined Event athletes showed up from the 15 entered. Although having this event after 3 consecutive Schools/County competition weekends and 6 days before the All-Ireland Schools final is an excusable reason not to partake for those who progressed to this final, it is no reason for the others and it is concerning that so many were absent.

A strong wind at the Kerry track made it tough for the competitors. Katey Byrd won the women’s 100m hurdles and Claire McSweeney finished 3rd in the 400m. Derek Duff won the men’s 100m while Cathal Owens and Paul Stack finished first and second respectively in the 200m.

For both Leevale representatives Gary Collins and Darren Lee this was their first combined events competition but they were in great shape. Gary showed great character to overcome disappointment in his high jump by winning the shot putt. For the concluding 800m he had roughly 7 seconds to spare on the third placed runner and just when it looked as if he was going to lose that margin he put in a great final 200m to secure his second overall place. Darren also got involved in an exciting 800m and had an even closer battle for second place. While he was attacked himself by the fourth placed runner who ran a superb 800m at the front, Darren was closing in on second. In the end 8 points or 0.8 sec separated Darren from 2nd place. Gary and Darren improved almost all their PBs.  For both to come away with a medal is a truly commendable achievement, and most likely they will be back for more.