Roscommon athletes set high standards at Connacht Indoor Championships
Roscommon AC’s U-15 and U-16 relay teams — Saoirse McNamara, Ruth Dennigan, Juliette Fallon, Ciarra Keane, Sarah Kelly, Aimee Ttouuli — that won silver and bronze respectively at the Connacht Indoor Athletics Championships at the International Indoor Arena, TUS, Athlone.
The Connacht Indoor Athletics Championships took place over two days, bringing the best athletes from the province and Longford to the International Indoor Arena, TUS, Athlone.
Roscommon athletes enjoyed a successful competition with the undoubted highlight being provided by record-breaker Andrew Nolan, Lough Ree AC.
The 12-year-old claimed gold in the U-14 shot putt with a throw of 14.01 metres, smashing the existing 18-year old Connacht record. Andrew will now compete at the Nationals next month, hoping to build on his reputation as an exciting young athlete with great promise.
Andrew’s clubmate, Tadhg Shea, finished fourth in the U-13 Long Jump and also qualifies for the upcoming Nationals.
Reeside AC’s Emily Clyne also claimed gold as she came home in joint first in the U-15 high jump while Eva Lopez Fuertes took silver in U-17 60 metres hurdles.
Noah Martin, Castlerea Crusaders AC, finished third in the U-15 shot putt with a PB (personal best), which will also take him to the Nationals.
Suck Valley AC’s Emily Gately enjoyed a very successful day, coming away with gold in the U-15 high jump and bronze in the 60 metres hurdles. Overall, it was a super achievement for such versatile athlete.
Muireann Mulry ran a blistering 800 metres to claim bronze, while Adam Kennedy finished third in the U-16 1500 metres. Clubmate Nicole Mulhearn also qualified for the Nationals with a fourth place finish in the U-16 60 metres hurdles.
Roscommon AC won a number of medals both individually and in team relays. Ciarra Keane took bronze in U-15 long jump, and secured national qualification in both the high jump and 60 metres hurdles.
Juliette Fallon ran a confident race in U-15 800 metres, taking silver with a PB. Saoirse McNamara won silver in U-16 triple jump.
Greg McNeela qualified for the Nationals in the U-12 long jump.
The final event of the competition was 4 x 200 metres relays. The Roscommon AC U-15 team of Juliette Fallon, Aimee Ttouuli, Ciarra Keane and Sarah Kelly ran out of their skins to claim silver in a very exciting battle.
The U-16 relay proved to be equally exciting, with the team of Saoirse McNamara, Ruth Dennigan, Sarah Kelly and Juliette Fallon winning bronze.
The National Indoor Championships will take place over three days at the end of March/early April. In the meantime, the Connacht Secondary Schools’ Cross Country Championships take place on February 25th in Lough Ree. A number of Roscommon athletes are taking part representing their various secondary school. They are wished every success.
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