National record for Breathnach
Sean Breathnach of Galway City Harriers broke the National indoor record in the Shot Putt for the second weekend in a row. He threw an incredible 18.27 metres to break his own record by 10 centimetres, at the Leinster Indoors in Athlone IT. Breathnach is in the form of his life and will look to continue his record breaking exploits in the National Masters in two weekends time.
Sean has also been selected to compete for Ireland next weekend at the 16th European Throwing Cup in Arad, Romania.
Schools /Universities Cross Country
The All Ireland schools championships were held last Saturday in Sligo racecourse, and saw excellent performances by some of Galway’s top juniors, including Eanna Folan of Colaiste na Coiribe who place tenth in the Inter Boys and made the Irish team for the Celtic International. Gary Martyn and Jack Maher both had strong runs in the same race placing 34th and 53rd. Caron Ryan of Loughrea was 25th in the Senior girls event.
The Inter-varsities Cross Country championships were held at the same venue Saturday, with both NUIG and GMIT fielding athletes in both ladies and men’s events. NUIG ladies were sixth team home led by another great run from the strong running Niamh Hennelly in 14th place who was backed up well by Maebh Brannigan Maeve Brassil , Michelle Maher , Niamh Curran , Ellen McCarthy and Ailbhe Morrissey. In the men’s race new signing Andrew Donnelly showed his pedigree as the 2.30 marathon man came home 17th with Cian Corcoran and Segun Abiola also doing well. Other Galway runners competing were bronze medallist Laura Shaughnessy ( UCD) in the ladies and Keith Fallon (DCU) and John Moroney (TCD) who were top 25 in the Men’s .
Galway Athletics Awards
The 3rd Annual Galway Athletics Awards were held at the Meadow Court Hotel, Loughrea on Saturday with a large crowd in attendance to see many of Galway’s top athletes and coaches receive recognition for their achievements and hard work over the past year.
The award winners were as follows :
Joe Scanlon (GCH) on his induction into the County Galway Athletics Hall of Fame,
Dermot McNamara (Athenry) on his Outstanding Contribution to Athletics award.
U12-15 Boys; Brandon Lee (Athenry)
U12-15 Girls: Emma Moore (GCH)
U16-19 Boys: Conor Duggan (Craughwell)
U16-19 Girls: Sinead Treacy (Craughwell)
Senior Men: Sean Breathnach (GCH)
Senior Women: Jane-Ann Healy-Meehan (Athenry)
Masters Men: Martin Kearney (GCH)
Master Women: Mary Barrett (Loughrea)
Team of the Year: Craughwell National League Women’s team
Kinvara Rock and Road Half Marathon and 10K
The 2016 Rock and Road series of races were held on Saturday 5th March in Kinvara, Co. Galway with a 10k race and a half marathon on the programme, . Over 1300 athletes completed both races.
Louis McCarthy led home the 10k field with the Rathfarnham AC man running 33.28 for the distance. GCH athlete Owen Byrne opened his road racing season with a solid 35.06 with Jason Reid also of Rathfarnham in 3rd.
In the ladies National cross country champion from 2014 Michelle McGee won well in 37.31 with GCH’s Siobhan Egan second in 39.40 ahead of Deirdre Brophy Athenry next home.
The half marathon saw another win for Rathfarnham AC with Paul Stephenson taking victory in 73.57. Paul Fitzgerald of Limerick Ac was second in 75.10 with Brian Furey 3rd in 76.15
Jane Ann Meehan of Athenry AC won the ladies half in 1hr 22 mins well clear of Grainne Ni Uallachain and Sarah Collins, both of GCH in second and third in 1.27 and 1.28 respectively.