Munster Combined Events Title for Mario Zakis
On a wet and windswept track in Templemore Mario Zakis competed over 5 events hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot and 800m in the Munster combined events under 14 championships. Mario won three of his events hurdles, shot and 800m and placed 2nd in the high jump and long jump but that was good enough for the overall and he topped the podium for the first time at Munster level. Well done Mario.
Bronze for Sophie Beresford and Isabelle Gaffney in 123.ie All Ireland Schools Championships
Tullamore was a hive of activity last weekend as over a thousand athletes from schools the length and breadth of Ireland converged on the venue for the All Ireland Schools Championships, and what a glorious weekend of athletics it was with some outstanding performances. Sophie Beresford was first on the podium with a third place finish in a very competitive Junior Girl’s Racewalking event. Amy Walsh Loreto Kilkenny took up the pace followed in close quarter throughout the race by Munster Champion Sophie and Connacht champion Hazel Dinkin. Conditions were made difficult by the strong swirling wind but in the end there was very little between 2nd and third with Hazel finishing just ahead of Sophie. Both Adi Paniker and Ava Kiely were competing in their first All Ireland Schools Championships. In the Junior Boy’s Triple Jump Adi had a new personal best of 9.69 almost a metre further than his winning jump in Munster and finished 7th overall. In the Junior Girls Discus Ava Kiely was competing with a group of girls a year older but she didn’t let that put her off. She flighted out her first three throws well and was the only Munster Girls to make it into the last 6. She had two more throws to finish on 25.48 , her second best throw ever for 4th place. Both Ava and Sophie’s performances helped St Augustine’s to win the overall trophy in the junior girls section.
Naoise Mac Murchadha was competing in what turned out to be the race of the night. In the senior boys 5000m as Cillian Gleeson sought to break John Treacy’s 51 year old record. It was some performance to watch as he ground out the 12 and a half laps only to fall short by 2secs. Naoise representing Meanscoil was well up in the chasing bunch for most of the race only being tailed off in the last two laps to come home in a very respectable 15.55.49 for 8th place.
Personal Bests for Isabelle Gaffney and Michalina Goclik
It is always a great feeling to come away from a championship with a new personal best because then you know you have given your all. The Intermediate age group in schools competition is one of the most competitive and difficult age group as it combines athletes across three age groups. Coming down the back straight with 250m to go in the Inter Girls 800m Isabelle Gaffney was in 5th place but she ran a storming last 250 to edge into the bronze medal position and cross the line in 2.11.31 improving her personal best in the process and making it a Munster 1,2,3, in the event. Michalina Goclik had a big personal best in the Inter Girls Discus throwing over thirty metres for the first time and finishing on 30.91 for 4th place and a new personal best by over 2mts. There was very little between the top six in a very competitive Inter Boys 800m. Noah Commins was caught in heavy traffic at the bell suffering a spike cut to his shin but he battled on to finish 6th with a time very close to the 2mins.
Great Night at the Primary Schools Western Final
The Olympics of Primary Schools Sports was held in the Friary on Thursday last as young athletes from all over West Waterford battled it out for the honour of their schools at the Western Finals. Competition was keen across all the events that included sprints, relays and long distance events. Well done to all who took part and there are lots of photos of the event on the West Waterford AC Facebook page and website. Many thanks to St Augustine’s for the use of their facilities and to all the athletes, parents, coaches, teachers, athletes and members of West Waterford who helped out on the night.
