Galway athletes enjoyed an outstanding weekend at the National U20 & U23 Track and Field Championships in Tullamore, securing national titles and medals across a wide range of disciplines.
Galway City Harriers celebrated one national title and a silver medal, winning gold via Lucas Fadden who was one of the stars of the championships, claiming the U23 Men’s 100m title in an impressive 10.61 seconds. Having won his heat in 10.72 seconds, Fadden returned to run even faster in the final and secure national gold.
In the U20 Men’s 400m, Shane McGovern produced an excellent performance to earn the silver medal. After winning his heat in 50.17 seconds, he clocked 49.91 seconds in the final, finishing only behind champion Alex Leonard of Donore Harriers.
West Coast AC enjoyed a hugely successful championship, returning home with three national medals, notably in the U20 Women’s 3000m Walk, as Caoimhe Phelan claimed the national crown in 14:31.71 adding to her medal haul for the season
The club’s U23 Men’s 4x400m relay team also struck gold, winning in 3:34.35. The victorious squad featured Leon Ewere, Jayden Montes, Enoch Olaoye, Joseph Connor and Oisin Phelan. West Coast AC’s John McDermott also took bronze in the Men’s 200 metres final.
Athenry AC enjoyed a strong championship with a gold and two silver medals. Sprint star Sean Doggett stormed to victory in the U23 Men’s 200m, taking gold in 21.51 seconds after posting the fastest qualifying time in the heats.
Meanwhile, Liam Shaw earned the silver medal in the U23 Men’s Discus and in the Shot Putt, recording best throws of 44.85 metres and 14.56 metres respectively.
Craughwell AC enjoyed a very successful championships , as the club secured two national titles and one silver medal, highlighted by a memorable one-two in the U20 Women’s 400m Hurdles.
Lauren Kilduff stormed to victory in the U20 Women’s 400m Hurdles in 1:00.25, while clubmate Emma O’Donovan followed home for silver in 1:02.79.
The club added a second national title through Darragh Kelly, who won the U20 Men’s High Jump with a clearance of 1.93m, the highest jump in the competition.
South Galway AC international Orlaith Mannion delivered one of the standout performances by a Galway athlete, winning the U20 Women’s 100m Hurdles title in 14.27 seconds.
Having won her heat earlier in the day, Mannion backed it up in the final to secure a deserved national gold medal for South Galway AC.
