Clancy breaks Munster record

THE Munster juvenile U-9, U-10, U-11 boys’ 2 x 2 team events plus girls’ and boys’ U-14 and U-15 Track and Field Championships were held in Castleisland and Clare athletes captured three gold, six silver and three bronze medals and a new Munster record set by Rachel Clancy (St John’s) in the high jump with a leap of 1.55m, Stacy Wright (Marian) won gold in the hammer while in the boys’ U-11s 2 x 2 team, the 600m gold went to Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare with Caoilfhionn O’Dea and Cian Shannon the big winners.

In the the first of the action Alice Akres and Stacy Wright (both Marian) took part in the hammer competition and this was very well contested over six rounds. There was a major surprise here when Stacy Wright beat the Munster title holder Alice Akres with a throw of 40.56m with Alice throwing 37.58m.
In the high jump in the girls’ U/14s, Rachel Clancy (St John’s), who competed in the All-Ireland Schools on the Saturday and had a poor performances with a 1.45m leap, went into these Munster Championships looking for a very big performance and she produced six mighty jumps to clear the bar at 1.55m. She attempted 1.58m and failed but that 1.55m is a new Munster record and another personal best for Rachel Clancy in just over four weeks.
In the girls’ U-15 1,500m, four Clare girls were in the final, Molly Lynch (Shannon), Laura Power (Ennis Track), Siobhan Nestor (Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare) and Nollaigh Blake (St John’s). The Shannon girl settled in well with the leaders for three and a half laps and on the final lap with 100m remaining, she was looking good for Munster glory only to be outsprinted on the final 30m. She had to settle for the silver medal in 5mins. 09.36secs.
In the boys’ U-13 long jump, there were over 20 competitors with Paraic McNamara jumping at his very best and over six rounds, he cleared 4.82m and won the silver medal in fine style. In the 200m, Paraic had to contend with over 40 athletes and came through two very tough rounds of heats to make the final where he clocked 24.54secs, which earned him third spot.
In the boys U-15 shot putt, Eoin Hanrahan (Ennis Track) captured the silver medal with a throw of 12 . 39m and later on that afternoon in the javelin competition, he started with throws of 28m and finished on a high with his final throw of 31.87m for another silver medal.
In the U-9 boys’ 2 x 2 60m team event, Ennis Track, St John’s, Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare all competed against the clock and Ben Whelehan (Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare) second in 9.91secs with his partner Michael Montgomery finishing fourth in 10.23secs for a total time of 20 . 14secs, which earned them the bronze medals.
In the boys’ U-10 2 x 2 team 60m and Ennis Track had two teams competing with Chibkem Okeye winning his heat in 9.42secs. Lateef Akinwale produced a very strong second heat to finish second in 9.71secs and a total time of 19.13secs for the bronze medals.
The 4 x 100m relay team of Chibkem Okoye, Lateef Akinwale, Gabreil Kehinde and James McGuire won their first-round heat in fine style but in the final had to settle for the silver medals.
In the U-11 boys’ 2 x 2 team 600m, Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare reached the final. Caoilfhionn O’Dea ran in heat one and he finished very strong over the final 100m to take second in 1mins.55.60secs. Cian Shannon was in third position in 2mins.02.94secs and a total time of (3mins.58.54secs which earned Kilmurry the goal medals.

Results
Boys
U-9 2 x 2 team, 60m: 3. Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare (Ben Whelehan 9.91secs, Michael Montgomery 10.23secs) = 20.14secs.
U-10 2 x 2 team, 60m: 3. Ennis Track (Chibkem Okeye 9.42secs, Lateef Akinwale 9.71secs = (19.13secs).
4 x 100m relay: 2. Ennis Track (Chibkem Okeye, Lateef Akinwale, Gabreil Kehinde, James McGuire).
U-11 2 x 2 team, 600m: 1. Kilmurry-Ibrickane/North Clare (Caoilfhionn O’Dea (1min.55.60secs), Cian Shannon (2mins.02.94secs) = (3min.58.54secs).
U-14 Long jump: 2. Paraic McNamara (Marian) (4.82m).
200m: 3. Paraic McNamara (Marian) (24.54secs).
U-15 Shot putt: 2. Eoin Hanrahan (Ennis Track) (12 39m).
Javelin: 2. Eoin Hanrahan (Ennis Track) (31.87m).
Girls
U-14 hammer: 1. Stacy Wright (Marian) (40.56m);     2. Alice Akres (Marian) (37.58m).
High jump: 1. Rachel Clancy (St John’s) (1.55m) Munster record.
U-15 1500m: 2. Molly Lynch (Shannon) (5mins.09.36secs).