Gold for Clare at national championships

Weekend number two in the National Juvenile Track and Field Championships for U-14 to U-19 was held in Tullamore in the sweltering heat on Sunday with Clare athletes taking home four gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

Alex O’Neill, St Cronan’s, who was first on the track in the girls U-14 1,500m, gave an outstanding display. After two laps she was in third spot and entering the final 300m she put herself in contention. She went on to produce a great sprint finish to capture this national 1,500m title in 4.57.50.

In the girls U-14 2,000m walk, the Munster champion Angharad Loughnane, Marian, settled in well at the front and she came away with a bronze medal with a time of 11.27.09.
The national 75m hurdles champion at U-14, Tony Odubote, Ennis Track, was outstanding in the 200m heats where he romped through to the final on Sunday evening on his way to another national title in 24.99.

Kevin Caulfield, Tulla AC, competed in the boys’ U-15 shot putt and in the final round he threw 12.26m that put him into silver medal position.
In the boys U-14 2,000m walk Gearóid McMahon, Shannon, was starting to dominate after three laps and the Munster indoor champion now holds both national titles after this outstanding display of race walking with a time of 10.48.96.

Rachel Clancy, St John’s, in the girls U-17 high jump, has been knocking on the door for the past two years and she cleared 1.50m to take a bronze medal. She was very close in the triple jump with a leap of 8.92m that earned her fourth place.
Kevin Mulcaire, Ennis Track, who competed in the Youth Olympics two weeks ago and finished 12th in the 3,000m in 8.58, was in flying form in the boys U-17 1,500m. He settled in over the first half of this race and he produced a big kick on the home straight to take the 1,500m national title in 4.09.74 with Sean Collins, Ennis Track, 12th.

The next race on the track was the girls U-18 1500m. Muireann O’Shea, Marian, settled in well and produced a very big last lap to claim the silver medal in 4.54.90.

There were two Clare athletes in the boys U-18 discus, Eoin Hanrahan, Ennis Track, and Seamus McMahon, Shannon.
Hanrahan got good distance into his final three rounds and a throw of 41.19m helped him to a silver medal with Seamus McMahon setting a personal best 35.51m and finishing fifth.

Results
Girls
U-14 1,500m: 1. Alex O’Neill, St Cronan’s (4.57.50).
U-15 1,500m: 4. Aisling Kelly, St John’s (5.07.99). 2,000m walk: 3. Angharad Loughnane, Marian (11.27.09).
U-17 High jump: 3. Rachel Clancy, St John’s (1.50m). Triple jump: 4. Rachel Clancy, St John’s (8.92m).
U-18 1,500m: 2. Muireann O’Shea, Marian (4.54.90).
Boys
U-14 200m: 1. Tony Odubote, Ennis Track (24.99). 2,000m walk: 1. Gearóid McMahon, Shannon (10.48.96).
U-15 1,500m: 5. Eoin Looney, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare (4.29.35); 10. Stephan Maher, Ennis Track (4.40.71). Shot putt: 2. Kevin Caulfield, Tulla (12.26m).
U-17 200m: 7. Ronan Barry, Marian (23.52). 1,500m: 1. Kevin Mulcaire, Ennis Track (4.09.74); 12. Sean Collins, Ennis Track (4.27.47).
U-18 Discus: 2. Eoin Hanrahan, Ennis Track (41.19m); 5. Seamus Mc Mahon, Shannon (35.51m).
U-19
1,500m: 6. Karl Fitzmaurice, Shannon (4.15.08).