Gold run for local juveniles

The National Juvenile U-12 to U-19 Indoor Track and Field Championships were held over two days in the new indoor arena in Athlone and Clare athletes produced outstanding performances.
It was a particularly successful weekend for Ennis Track athletes.

On Saturday Niamh Markham got the day off to a great start in the U-19 ladies 1,500m. With two laps to go, Niamh took charge and powered her way to the finish line. In the girls U-19 800m she won a silver medal, being pipped on the line for the title.

Tony Odubote won the 60m final by a head from his nearest rival in a time of 7.68. On day two he was in the final of the boys U-14 hurdles and set a personal best when winning in 9.31. He also won a silver in the boys U-14 long jump.

The first gold medal went to Conor Blake, St John’s, in the boys U-12 high jump. Laura Greene, St John’s, won the girls U-13 high jump with a personal best performance of 1.43m.

Gearoid McMahon, Shannon, set a new personal best time in the boys U-14 1,000m walk of 5.05.21. In the boys 60m gold went to Tony Odubuto, Ennis Track. Angharad Loughnane, Marian, captured gold in the girls U-15 1,000m walk and Niamh Markham, Ennis Track, in the girls U-19 1,500m, took gold with a time of 5.03.32.

In the girls U-12 Niamh Conlon, Kilmihil, came through her heats in fine style and in the final of the 60m she came away with a bronze medal in a time of 8.80.

In the boys U-12 600m Ben Whelehan, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, led the race all the way to the final bend and a blanket finish, with Ben taking the bronze medal in a time of 1.45.77.

In the girls U-14 800m Alex O’Neill, St Cronan’s, had to work hard to qualify from the heats and in the final she made no mistake when taking the national title in 2.26.02.

Results
Girls
U-12
60m: 3. Niamh Conlon, Kilmihil (8.80).
U-13
High jump: 1. Laura Greene, St John’s (1.43m).
U-14
800m: 1. Alex O’Neill, St Cronan’s (2.26.02).
U-15
800m: 5. Caoimhe Harvey, St John’s (2.28.68).
1,000m walk: 1. Angharad Loughnane, Marian (5.06.56).
Long jump: 4. Kate Taylor, St Cronan’s (4.86m), 8. Anna Courtney, Marian (4.30m).
U-17
High jump: 4. Rachel Clancy, St John’s (1.50m).
U-18
800m: 5. Muireann O’Shea, Marian (2.26.13); 8. Laura Power, Ennis Track (2.36.74).
1,500m: 7. Laura Power, Ennis Track (5.15.25).
High jump: 6. Jessica O’Connor, Marian (1.40m).
U-19
800m: 2. Niamh Markham, Ennis track (2.13.42).
1,500m: 1. Niamh Markham, Ennis Track (5.03.32).

Boys
U-12
600m: 3. Ben Whelehan, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare (1.45.77).
High jump: 1. Conor Blake, St John’s (1.35m).
U-14
1,000m walk: 1. Gearoid McMahon, Shannon (5.05.21).
60m: 1. Tony Odubuto, Ennis Track (7.68).
60m hurdles: 1. Tony Odubuto, Ennis Track (9.33).
Long jump: 2. Tony Odubuto, Ennis Track (4.88m).
U-17
High jump: 10. Ronan Barry, Marian (1.65m).
U-18
Shot putt: 5. Seamus McMahon, Shannon (10.92m).
U-19
60m: 6. Jack Carrigg, Shannon (7.7).
1,500m: 10. Karl Fitzmaurice, Shannon (4.18.25).
Shot putt: 5. Conor Foley Ellis, Kilmihil (10.92m).