McCormack the queen of the track on day 1
McCormack the queen of the track on day 1
Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole) highlighted day one of the Irish Life Health National Athletics Championships winning the women’s 5,000m in 15:51.97 in Morton Stadium (July 27).
The Wicklow woman won with ease in what was only her second track race of the season ahead of Catherina Mullen (MSB) in second in 16:54.77 and Grace Lynch (Iveragh) in third in 17:02.07.
It was title number 10 for Denis Finegan (An Riocht) in a tight men’s triple jump. The Kerry man won with 14.74m from Antony Daffurn (S.R.L. AC) with 14.65 and Mark Burton (City of Lisburn) with 14.49m.
Saragh Buggy (St Abban’s) added another national title to her collection winning the women’s triple jump with 12.70m. Grace Furlong (Waterford) was second with 12.14m and Kim O’Hare (Raheny Shamrock) won bronze with a best of 11.72m.
Niamh Fogarty (Raheny Shamrock) continued her fine form to win a quality women’s discus with a personal best throw of 52.96m. Claire Fitzgerald (Tralee Harriers) was second with 50.29m and Anne-Marie Torsney (Fingallians) bagged the bronze with 40.75m.
Owen Russell (St Andrew’s) won the men’s hammer with 61.88m from Simon Galligan (Clonliffe Harriers) who was just shy of the 60m mark with 59.99m and Adam King (Iveragh) was third with 56.61m.
Multi-eventer Elizabeth Morland (Cushinstown) won the women’s javelin with a best of 46.60m from Grace Casey (Eire Og Corra Choill) with 39.30m and Katie Moynihan (Leevale) with 39.05m.
Stephen Rice (Clonliffe Harriers) won the men’s title with 69.75m from Gareth Crawford (Lifford Strabane) with 66.01m and Rory Gunning (Clonliffe Harriers) with 65.06m.
It was a first national title for Jayme Rossiter (Clonliffe Harriers) in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase in 8:59.42 in a good duel with Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock) who had to settle for silver with 9:02.42. Rory Chesser (Ennis Track) who made the early running was third in
Orlaith Delahunt (Sligo) also won her first national senior title in the women’s 5,000m race walk in 26:18.21 from Niamh O’Connor (Celbridge) in 26:55.73 and Sinead O’Connor (Celbridge) in third in 28:04.25
Sean Breathnach (Galway City Harriers) won the men’s 35lbs weight for height with 4.40m. Sean Mockler (Moycarkey Coolcroo) U20 men weight for height 5.00m, Patrick Corrigan (Suncroft) 4.80m, Padraig O’Callaghan (Leevale) 4.40m.
The final events of the day were the 4x100m relays with Mullingar Harriers winning the women’s race in 49.85 from Donore Harriers in 51.51. Tallaght won the men’s race in 43.34 from Kilkenny City Harriers in 44.42.
The stage is set for an exciting day two of the national senior championships tomorrow. Full results of the day are HERE