Good Weekend for Galway Athletics

An exciting National Senior Indoor Championships, held at the Athlone IT arena last weekend over two days, saw great success for the many Galway athletes who competed. Sean Breathnach of Galway City Harriers took pride of place, winning the National Shot Putt title yet again, and breaking the National indoor record in the Shot in the process. He threw a massive 18.16 metres to break the 35 year old National Indoor record of 18.03, and also threw 18.13 and 17.67 in a superb series of throws. Sean’s brother Micheal took bronze in the Shot making it a great day for the Breathnach family.
Cathriona Farrell of Craughwell AC retained her National Senior High Jump crown in style with a fine series of jumps in the AIT Arena. Farrell, the stadium record holder and National indoor and outdoor champion, cleared 1.75m on her first attempt to claim her 4th National Senior Indoor high jump title, in what was one of the most competitive senior high jump event in many years with 4 jumpers clearing 1.70m.
Veronica Burke of Ballinasloe and District AC claimed second, and a silver medal in the Ladies 3k walk, just being pipped by Sinead O Connor for victory.
Galway were well represented in other events, with Kathryn Casserly of Castlegar AC impressing, running an excellent time of 4.40 for twelfth place in the very competitive Women’s 1500m final . Craughwell’s Sinead Gaffney ran a club record 2.20 in the 800m heats, while Conor Duggan, Gavin Cooney (Craughwell) and Robert Meagher ( GCH) all ran well in the heats but missed final spots
Schools /Universities Cross Country
The Connacht Schools cross country finals took place Tuesday last, held in Calry Sligo. Craughwell’s Caron Ryan (representing her school St Raphael’s Loughrea) raced to a magnificent victory in the Senior girls’ event, while GCH’s Joe Tannian running for the Jes placed third in the Senior Boys race. Many other Galway athletes qualified for the All Ireland finals.
The All Ireland schools championships are next up and these take place next Saturday in Sligo racecourse, with many of Galway’s top juniors on show, including Eanna Folan, Joe Tannian and Caron Ryan. These races are some of the most competitive in the athletics year and a great days racing is in prospect.
The Inter-varsities Cross Country championships will also be held at the same venue Saturday, with both NUIG and GMIT fielding teams that will include of the city’s top cross country athletes such as Peadar Harvey, Cian Corcoran, new signing Andrew Donnelly, and Niamh Hennelly and Maebh Brannigan in the ladies.
Galway Athletics Awards
The 3rd Annual Galway Athletics Awards take place at the Meadow Court Hotel, Loughrea, Sat 5th March next at 8pm, with many awards down for decision. All clubs have been notified of the nominees and the winners will be announced on the night.
Fixtures
Kinvara Rock and Road Half Marathon and 10K
The 2016 Rock and Road series of races will be held on Saturday 5th March next in Kinvara, Co. Galway. There is a 10k race and a half marathon on the programme, and huge numbers are expected in both races.
This will be the sixth running of the event so head for this beautiful seaside village for what is a great event for walkers, joggers and runners of all levels.