Super Performances from Tir Chonaill AC Women at European Clubs in Bern
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Ireland’s representatives, Tir Chonaill AC competing in Group B of the' European Club Chamoionships on Sunday last in Bern, Switzerland, put together a number of outstanding performances to end up joint 5th overall following a day long competition which was constantly interrupted by strong winds and squally showers.
Opening Cermony
Opening Cermony Parade
Joanna Mills led the assault - winning a most competitive 400m. She came from 4th place entering the final 100m and clawed her way to the front for a great victory - time 55.93secs, 2nd Helena Scherer Sparta, Denmark 55.96secs.
Joanna Mills in the 400m
Centre: Joanna Mills winner of the 400m
Mary Mc Loone was introduced to athletics as a twelve year old and now years later she put together two outstanding performances against the best in Europe. She was back to her very best in the Triple Jump recording 12.69m for 2nd behind Niva Ziv, Maccabi, Israel, 12.83m. Late in the afternoon she ran a very fast 24.55secs for 3rd place in the 200m behind Thompson, City of Manchester and Kambungi, City of Bern. This time improved her county record by over half a second.
Mary McLoone, 3rd in the 200m
Mary McLoone, 2nd in the Triple Jump
Mary McLoone on the Podium
Teresa McGloin, ran a 3000m PB time of 9mins 57.68secs for second behind Livia Burri, City of Bern. The Finn Valley based woman covered a number of breaks in this race and was delighted with her overall placing and performance.
Teresa McGloin in the 3000m
Teresa McGloin in red top, 3rd in the 3000m
Louise Harvey was the first club athlete in action when she lined up at 10am for the demanding 400m Hurdles. The 17 year old ran the race of her life for a 4th place finish - PB time 63.47secs. Louise was confident enough to run the opening 200m and in 29 secs and lay in 3rd place entering the final straight. Later in the afternoon she recorded 15.33 secs - 100m Hurdles for 6th and more valuable points.
The conditions did not favour any of the field events.
Louise Harvey in the 100m Hurdles
Louise Harvey in the 400m Hurdles
Clare Wilkinson battled her way in winter like rain and wind to a best of 3.60m in the Pole Vault – joint 2nd place with Haywood, City of Manchester. Bonde, Sparta, Denmark on 4.15m was the winner. Later Claire finished 6th in the High Jump -1.55m.
The 3000m steeplechase had Breeney Treston, recording 11mins 24.99secs for a 3rd place and podium finish.
Rachael Akers, 52.55m, 4th in the Hammer and 35.21m, 7th in the Discus added more valuable points. The late withdrawal through illness of Michelle Harvey from the middle distance events forced the club management to make a number of positional/event changes. In stepped, at very short notice, Marie Rooney to run 4th in the 5000m and Philomena Gallagher for a 6th place finish in the 1500m.
Philomena Gallagher in the 1500m
Added Points:
Lisa Shiels,7th / 100m;
Joanna Mills, 5.67m/5th Long Jump;
Emer Boyce gained two 7th place finishes in the Shot and Javelin;
Niamh Kearney, 5th 800m/2min 16.83secs;
4 x 100m Relay Team 6th - Teresa McGloin, Lisa Shiels, Molly O’Gara and Clare Wilkinson all boosted the clubs points total.
Lisa Shiels 331
Joanna Mills in the Long Jump
Niamh Kearney 331 in the 800m
The final event of the afternoon - the 4 x 400m - found Mary McLoone, Louise Harvey, Joanna Mils and Niamh Kearney running a new club/Co best time of 3mins 56.71secs for 4th.This excellent placing/time only tells part of the story. This group were medal contenders but for a slight mishap of a dropped baton.
The Tir Chonaill club would like to congratulate this group of athletes on this outstanding performance on a European stage, all the guest athletes who assisted and the supporters who travelled out making the weekend an unforgettable experience.
Tir Chonaill Croup who traveled to Bern, Switzerland
1 City of Manchester 106.5pts
2 Rotterdam,Nederlands 90.5pts
3 City of Bern 79.5pts
4 Sparta, Denmark 77pts
5 Maccabi, Israel 68.5pts
5 Tir Chonaill 68.5pts
7 AK Glasinac 66.5pts
