Irish U20’s impress at Mannheim Junioren Gala Meet
There were several impressive performances from an Irish perspective at the Mannheim Junioren Gala Meet in Germany at the weekend as a 17-strong team travelled to the prestigious event.
Amongst them included the Mixed 4x400m Relay team achieving the qualifying standard for the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru in August.
The team of Conor Kelly (Derry Track Club), Saoirse Fitzgerald (Lucan Harriers), Sean Doggett (Athenry AC) and Maria Zakharenko (Kilcoole AC) combined to clock a National U20 Record of 3:24.91 to finish third behind Norway and Germany.
Oisin Joyce (Lake District AC) also earned a podium finish in the Javelin with a massive throw of 73.72m adding over three metres to the previous record he had held. This was good enough for the young Mayo athlete to win the competition.
In the 400m Hurdles, Davey Davitt (Clonliffe Harriers AC) finished second in 53.80 seconds after producing a strong run.
Ava Rochford (Nenagh Olympic AC) also made the podium in the High Jump, clearing 1.80m to equal her personal best and finish third.
In the 100m, Jesse Osas (Ratoath AC) was third in his heat before clocking 10.72 to finish fourth in the B Final.
Donal Martin (Blackrock AC) was sixth in the 200m in a PB of 21.55, with Toby Thompson (Ballymena and Antrim AC) 11th in 21.67. Sean Carmody (Leevale AC) was fourth in his 110m Hurdles heat clocking 14.28.
Over 400m, Conor Kelly was fifth crossing the line in 48.07, Sean Doggett was 13th in 48.99, while Adam Courtney (Ballymena and Antrim AC) was 16th in a time of 49.46. In the U20 Women’s races Maria Zakharenko was also 16th overall with a 56.72 clocking to her name.
Precious Akpe-Moses (Blackrock AC) was fifth in the B Final of the 100m on Day One in 11.85. Akpe-Moses also raced in the 200m on Day Two where she finished tenth in a personal best of 12.50 seconds.
Molly Daly (Kilkenny City Harriers), Katie Doherty (Ratoath AC) and Hannah Falvey (Belgooly AC) were also in 200m action posting times of 24.61, 25.01 and 25.20 respectively.
Congratulations to all the athletes and staff involved.