All Ireland Title and Championship Record for Isabelle Gaffney@ 123.ie Championships
The stand out performance from West Waterford athletes at the 123.ie National Championships was Isabelle Gaffney’s run over 800m on Day 2. Competing in the girls under 16 800m she started well and sat off the pace in the first lap. She began to wind up the pace on the back straight and with a blistering turn of speed on the final bend she moved from 5th to 1st and cruised to victory in a new championship record of 2m 10.89. Second was Freya Renton of Westport AC winner of the All Indoor 800m who had been unbeaten over 800m, 1500m and 3000m all year.
Silver for Sophie Beresford in under 16 Race Walk
On a miserable cold and damp day 1 of the championships Sophie Beresford added to her growing championship medal tally with a silver medal in the girls under 16 race walking event. Amy Walsh St Joseph’s led from the start and Sophie matched her in the early part of the race but Amy began to pull away in the latter part of the race to cross the line in 10.06 .63 with Sophie second in 10.11.29. Noah Commins had a very good run in the heats of the 800m. Running in the faster of the two heats he qualified for the final in 2.01.04. The second heat was run in a more pedestrian 2.07 and they had more left in the tank for the final.
Michelina Goclick was the only one of our throwers to make it through to the final when she competed in the girls under 17 Discus. Ava Kiely just missed the cut by 11cms and Mario Zackis wasn’t far off the mark in the boys under 15 discus.
Presentation of Trophies for Club Championships
On Wednesday last we had our final day of club training and the presentation of trophies for the club championships. The club championships were run over 4 Wednesdays in June with all our young athletes competing in running jumping and throwing events. Points were accumulated in each competition and anyone gaining more than 25 points won a trophy. Well done to all our athletes who took part. Kenzie Connors had the highest points in the girls events scoring 48pts and Alex Whelan was the best of the boys with 47pts.The evening concluded with a visit from the ice cream van which went down very well on the warm evening.
Full List of Trophy Winners
25pts +
Leanne Flynn, Naoise de Burca, Aoibhinn Haughey, Cian O’Callaghan, Deaglán Breathnach, Seadhna O’Thuathaigh, Jamie Kiely, Luke O’Reilly, Billy O’Riordan, Jackson Sanderson, Holly Browne, Erica Haughey, Conor de Burca, Natalie Barry.
30pts +
Indie Sanderson, Mollai Ní Lonáin, Sadie Burke, Sibéal Curran, Ché O’hArtaigh, Cillian O’Brien, Alicia Haughey, Éile de Paor, Tomás Higgins, Goda Mikalauskaile, Eoin Kenny
35pts+
Maddie Grant, Íde Ní Lonáin, Edward O’Byrne, Anna Power, Caleb Roche, Daniel Curran, Conal O’Ruairc, Fianna Veale, Liam Hogan, Nathan Butler
40pts+
Taylor O’Leary, Liam Enright, Ciara Kenny, Rian Murray, Kenzie Connors, Etain Ní Mhurchadha, Alex Whelan, Andy Zakis, Ellie Mai Doherty, Maddie Connors, Kasey Connors, Mario Zakis, Darren Doherty.
Because the presentation was moved into the first week of the holiday 14 athletes were not present to collect their trophies. They can text me to arrange to collect their trophies.
Dungarvan 1km Road Race
In conjunction with the senior clubs summer series we ran a 1km fun run on Friday last. Fifty young athletes from West Waterford, Finisk Valley, Ardmore, Tramore and Clonmel took park in the event. It was a fast downhill course with the winner Mario Zakis crossing the line in 3.17 and the first thirteen athletes across the line all ran under 4min. There were medals and goody bags for all those competing and prizes for the first 5 girls and 5 boys across the line.
Top 5 Boys : 1st Mario Zakis, 2nd Ben Storey, 3rd Aaron Connor, 4th Alex Whelan, 5th Alex Foran
Top 5 Girls: 1st Maddie Connors, 2nd Pippa Wesley, 3rd Sheelagh Mai Curran, 4th Etain Ní Mhurchadha 5th Kenzie Connors.
Finisk Valley and Ardmore Fun Days
Just three athletes from West Waterford AC made the trip to Ballinameela for the Finisk Valley AC fun day. This is a great way for young athletes to get used to competing in events. Maddie, Etain and Fianna had a great day at the event taking part in running, jumping and throwing competitions.
There will be another fun day in Ardmore for under 9, 10 and 11 athletes on Sunday July 20th from 2 to 4pm.
123.ie All Ireland Day 3 and All Ireland B Championship
On Saturday next July 12th we will have two athletes in action in Tullamore on Day 3 of the National Championships. Kasey Connors will compete in her first All Ireland when she runs in the girls under 16 250m hurdles and Noah Commins will compete in the boys under 17 1500m.
On Sunday 13th also in Tullamore Adi Paniker will compete in the boys under 15 800m in the All Ireland B Championships.
Best of luck to all three athletes competing next weekend.
