Outstanding Performances in Nenagh
Saturday 27/Sunday 28 March 2010
Following the official opening of the clubs new state of the art facility on Friday night, seven young club athletes, accompanied by coaches and parents travelled to Nenagh for Part1 of the ' All Ireland Indoor Championships'.
To summarise they posted the following finishing places in a variety of disciplines, two first places, two second places, one third, two fourths, one eight and one ninth.
Six months ago, Thomas McGowan, was introduced to the Shot Putt by the club’s throws coach Paul O’Gara. In the mean time he has worked under Paul’s expert eye and on Saturday morning on four occasions smashed the Irish U12 age group record – ending up with a best of 10.37m. It was an exciting competition with Tullamore’s Eoin Mulligan breaking the old record on two occasions, best 9.85m. However McGowan, who has the added burden of supporting Chelsea, was in no nonsense mood and consistently improved as the competition went into the final rounds.
Thomas McGowan competing in the Shot Putt
Thomas McGowan Shot Putt Winner on the Podium
Ann McGowan & Paul O'Gara keep a watching
eye during Shot competition
Louise Harvey, the elder states woman of the juvenile group, qualified for the final of the U18 300m on Saturday morning behind heat winner Castlebar’s Sally Ann Maughan. In a closely contested final – all four finalists reached the halfway lane break in a line across the track. The medals were decided in a space of 15 metres. Louise finished 4th in a time of 43.29secs. On Sunday morning she easily won her heat of the 60m Hurdles, time 9.45secs and entered the final as 3rd fastest. The final demanded a special effort. She responded magnificently and with a new PB time of 9.21secs took gold ahead of Caoimhe Basquille, Greystones, 9.29secs and Cloe Fahy, Nenagh.
Louise Harvey U18 Hurdles Winner at 3rd hurdle
Louise Harvey with dad Eamon
Kate McGowan, qualified for three finals during the two days with very different results. Early on Sunday morning - check in at 9:00am - she contested two overlapping events - Long Jump and 60m Hurdles. In the later she was impressive in winning her heat, gaining automatic final qualification. Almost immediately she was called to the Long Jump. After three opening rounds and a best of 4.52m Kate lay in 2nd place and qualified as part of a top eight group for a further three jumps. However to complicate matters the call room beckoned for the final of the hurdles. In an nail biting and closely contested final she hurdled aggressively and was involved in a ‘sheet’ finish. Following a delay of twenty minutes the electronic reading/result was announced – 1st Laura Anne Costello, GCH; 9.71secs; 2nd Kate McGowan TC, 9.76secs; 3rd Aoife Fanning, Bree, 9.77secs. Incidently less than .1 secs separated the top six.
Kate McGowan 2nd from right 60m Final Start
It was back to the long jump and an ordinary 4th jump. In the 5th round with very good placement on the board Kate recorded a great leap of 4.68m and a second silver medal performance - just 2cms behind Ballymena and Antrim’s Rose Anne Mc Guckan. On Saturday, morning Kate and club mate Eva McMullan were drawn in heat 1 of the 60m. Following one break and one faulty start Kate qualified for the final. Eva was very unfortunate in finishing 5th in the heat and one place outside final qualifaction. In the final Kate’s lack of focus led to a break and on the ‘2nd time of asking’ got a good start but decided after five metres to ease up – thinking that a false start had been called. Alas this was not the outcome and Kate had to attempt to overtake the group and finished 8th in a time of 8.71secs.
Kate McGowan Long Jump Presentation
Mark Mc Guiness, in the U16 - 1,500m, continued his successful year. He broke onto the scene in 2009 with silver and bronze medal winning performances in the outdoor clubs 1500m and National Community Games 800m. On Saturday he was again involved in a most competitive and at times aggressive race --the space on an indoor track for ten athletes can be limited at times. The pace changed on numerous occasions with many breaks being attempted. The opening 400m pace of 61secs - Mark went through in 65 secs - was suicidal. With 600m - three laps remaining - Harper from Westport attempted another break. Mark worked his way back and with 150m to go came to the leaders shoulder. Lawlor from Carlow joined he leading two as the race entered the final 100m. It was a sprint around he final bend - 1st Lawlor 4mins 21.30secs; 2nd Lawlor 4mins 21.63secs and 3rd McGuiness, 4mins 23.46secs.
Mark McGuiness (963) right on the winning podium
Kelly McGrory, in the U15 60m heats easily qualified for the final. A PB time of 8.16secs in a closely contested final was rewarded with a 4th place finish - 2nd and 3rd placed finishers recorded 8.13secs. Emma Brady also qualified impressively for the U15 60m Hurdles final and with a 9.98secs final time recorded a 4th place finish.
Kelly McGrory 3rd from the left in the final
Well done to all athletes, a big thank you to all the coaches/parents and supporters that travelled down. Now we look forward to the 2nd part of the championships on 10/11th April when three club relay teams, U13/14/and 15 girls and Karl Griffin, Boys U16 800m, contest for National honours.
Tír Chonaill Athlete, Parents & Coaches in Nenagh
