Tír Chonaill success in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow
Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th Feb 2010
Young athletes from the Tír Chonaill and Finn Valley clubs were amongst the huge exodus of Irish athletes who traveled to the Scottish Indoor Under 15, 17 and 20 championships over the weekend. Local officials indicated that 178 entries were received from Irish athletes.
Eight Tír Chonaill athletes traveled across on Friday evening for the two day competition, Under 13 team and 15 individual on Saturday and under 17 and 20 on Sunday.
On Sunday morning, in the U20 age group Louise Harvey qualified for two finals - 60m Hurdles, 9.70secs and 400m, 62.11secs. A clash of final times, only twenty minutes separated the 400m and 60m H finals - found the Donegal Town lass deciding to contest the shorter event where she qualified as the 5th fastest of the six contestants. She hurdled with great determination and will be very happy with a silver medal position and a P.B. for the new senor height hurdles - 9.44secs. Catherine McManus from Celtic AC, Dublin, was the winner.
Karl Griffin, Tír Chonaill, competing in the U17 800m, he was two months overage for the Under 15 age group and qualified for the final after a most competitive qualifying semi final – time 2mins 5.22secs. The Abbey Vocational Student who next weekend represents Irish Schools in an Under 16 International in Cardiff, will also be very happy with his bronze place finish - time 2mins 4.96secs. School and club mate, Christopher Doherty, equalled his PB of 3.20m in the U17 Pole Vault and indeed went very close to 3.40m on two occasions.
Other notable Tír Chonaill performances came from Tír Chonaill. Mark Mc Guinness 4th in the U17 1,500m, Clare Brady, 4th in the U17 Pole Vault and Kelly Mc Grory 6th in the U15 60m final, Karen Tracey Pole Vault and 200m U15 and Emma Brady U15 60m Hurdles. Thanks to the coaches and parents who made the journey, their invaluable assistance is much appreciated by the young club athletes.
John Kelly the new and exciting throws youngster from Finn Valley, moved up an age and a throwing weight to record a victory in the under 15 shot putt. His best was an impressive 13.92metres with the 4k implement. Club mate Pauric McLaughlin led the a tactical Under 20 - 1,500m until the final 400m when the pace quickened and it became a scramble for a top three finishing position. In a photo finish the Convoy man who ran a 4mins 1 sec's PB the previous week at the Irish indoors in Belfast held on for a bronze medal position.
Boys U17 800m Medal Winners
Christopher Doherty receives Medal
John Kelly in action
John Kelly with his Dad in the Kelvin Hall pictured
following victory in the U 15 shot putt
Mark McGuinness in action in the Kelvin Hall
Medal Winners in the U17 Pole Vault
Christopher Doherty on the left
Tír Chonaill Group in the Kelvin Hall
