Two of Galway’s top young athletes excelled and claimed medals in a highly competitive series of races at the 123.ie National Senior Indoor Track and Field Championships that was held over two days last weekend in the National Arena in Abbottstown, Dublin.
Emma Moore of Galway City Harriers made a stunning debut at Senior level, claiming a superb silver in the Ladies 800m, pushing eventual winner international Louise Shanahan of Leevale all the way. Moore ran a very confident race and a tactically astute one in winning silver in 2.08.63.
Athenry star Sean Doggett is no stranger to the big stage, having raced at European Outdoor championships last year, and he made more progress winning bronze in a stacked Men’s 400m last weekend, in a fast 47.69, behind winner Conor Kelly.
Craughwell duo Kyle Moorhead and Oisin Davis made middle distance finals, with Moorhead finishing in a fine fifth in the 800m event and Davis 12th in the 1500m race. Also for Craughwell, Darragh Kelly was fourth in a great performance in the Men’s High Jump leaping 1.85m.
Orlaith Mannion of South Galway AC hurdled to sixth place behind Sarah Lavin in the Ladies 60m Hurdles final.
Laura Nally of GCH put in the performance of her life to make the National Senior 60m final, placing seventh in a club record 7.68s. Andrew Egan, clubmate, made the 60m Men’s Semi-Final, however Cillian Greene was injured ahead of the 400m and unable to compete.
Loch Lurgan, GCH and Tuam AC made great strides in the Race Walks, with seven from Galway competing, with Matthew Newell seventh in the Men’s race for Tuam, and Beabhain Hosty of Loch Lurgan seventh and Tuam AC’s Taillte O'Callaghan eighth in the Ladies race.
All in all a very successful championship for Galway clubs, and noteworthy in that many of the Juvenile stars of recent years have now progressed to the top Senior level.
The Kinvara series of 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon takes places this weekend in the village, with events all morning, and all are sold out.
The National 10k Road race championships is March 23 in Dunboyne, County Meath, with Galway clubs expected to field strong teams, notably GCH, Craughwell and Castlegar.
