All Ireland Indoors at Athlone
Fri 12 April 2013--admin
The Athlone IT International Arena, 23rd and 24th March played host to the All Ireland Juvenile Indoor Championships, with the best young athletes from across the country battling it out across many exciting competitions. Yet again, City of Lisburn athletes were to the fore, with athletes dominating across a range of events.
Much had been made in recent weeks about the fast track in Athlone and it was to prove a happy hunting ground for Ulster athletes with no less than 23 medals won on the track. Family members, Robbie and Megan Marrs from City of Lisburn, had an excellent weekend in Athlone. Just a few short weeks ago, Megan Marrs was named overall female athlete at the Ulster Sportshall Finals. In Athlone on Saturday, Megan Marrs blazed to victory in the Under17 60m, breaking an 18 year record, finishing in 7.57s. On Sunday, Megan Marrs was again in brilliant form winning a second gold in the 60m Hurdles in 8.50s ahead of Tir Chonaills Kate McGowan (8.77s) in second. Firstly breaking a 12yr old year record, by Derval O’Rourke in the semi and then smashing it the final with 8.50 some 0.28s quicker than Derval! Not to be outshone by his older sister, Robbie Marrs claimed three Under15 bronze medals and a couple of Pb’s on the way, the 60m Hurdles (9.1s), the 60m (7.48s) and in the High Jump (1.68).
City of Lisburn’s Roseanna McGuckian won bronze in the U17 girls 200m in a time of 25.37s carrying a slight leg injury. Matthew Dalton had a memorable weekend winning the U16 60m Hurdles (8.72s) and followed this up with a 1.75m high jump to claim silver. Dalton’s team mate Phoebe Tan also claimed a silver medal in her U16 high jump with a leap of 1.61m. Anna McCauley Under 13 won a silver medal wining jump of 4.41m also achieving a Pb. U15 girl Alix Galbraith doubled up with Pb’s in HJ and 60mH. Her 1.55m High Jump was good enough for Bronze plus a 5th place in the 60mH final. Bradley Mulholland set a great Pb of 2m.25s in the 800m.
Altogether, this was a fantastic weekend for Ulster athletics. A medal haul of 46 medals, thirteen gold, eighteen silver and fifteen bronze was a fantastic return for Ulster athletes. The quality of coaching across all athletics disciplines was also evident from the medal haul. Eight sprint medals from 60m through to 400m, nine hurdles medals, six middle distance medals, two from the walks, seven long jump, three triple, six in the high and five shot putt medals. Many more Ulster athletes missed out on medals, but were still making finals, challenging for honours and achieving personal bests.
Attention turns now to the second weekend of the All Irelands which will take place on the 6th April. That weekend, the relays will take centre stage, while the remainder of the Shot Putt events for U15/16 will also take place. After a fine first weekend, hopes are high for further Ulster successes to round off the indoor season.