National League Final, Tullamore

For the first time in a number of years, St Abban’s A.C fielded both a Ladies and Men’s National League Team in the National League finals. It was a sweltering day in Tullamore as athletes gave everything to contribute to the overall team effort on the day. In the National League, points are distributed based on an athletes finishing place; the winner taking 9 points, 2nd 7 points, 3rd 6 points and so on all the way down to 1 point. The final result is calculated from a clubs best 15 events from a total of 21 events. It is a fantastic even which really tests a clubs versitility, across sprinting, longer distance, throws and jumps. This year St Abban’s were competing in Division 1 in both the Ladies and Men’s events and it also marked a debut for many of our juvenile athletes on the senior stage.

            In the ladies events, the club had some fantastic performances led by team captain Katie Baldwin. Katie competed in the 400m, 200m and both the 4 by 100m and 4 by 400m. In the 100m Rachel Hartnet ran a new PbCaitlin McDonald continued her progression this year finishing with 4 points in the 3000m. Chloe Keenan, a guest on the day, won 7points for the club in the 110m Hurdles and a further 3 points points in the Shot Putt. Laura Graham also helped the club giving the walk a great go to win 4 points. Aoibhinn McDonald, usually a Pole Vaulter, also competed in the High Jump where she won 7 points. She followed this up with a win and 9 points in the Pole Vault as well as running in the Relay. Saragh Buggy was the star of the horizontal jumps, winning both the Long and Triple Jump. The second guest competing for the club Shauna Hoey, finished in 2nd place in both the Hammer and Weight for Distance amassing a total of 14 points. Sarah Graham took to the throwing circle in the Discus where she finsihed in 2nd palce. Later in the day she added 6 more points when she finsihed 3rd in the Javelin. In the final event of the day Katie Hartnett, Aoibhinn McDonald, Caitlin McDonald and Katie Baldwin combined for the 4 by 400m relay. Once the totals were tallied together the club had amassed a total of 105 points which was good enough for silver medals on the day, just behind Tír Chonaill and ahead of Enniscorthy A.C.

            On the Men’s side of things, the lads finished with a total of 103 points, just 12 away from a medal and 1 behind 4th place Galway City Harriers. Much like the ladies team, the lads had athletes spread themselves across a number of events in an effort to win points from the club. In the shorter sprints, Reuben Plunkett a guest for the day gathered 9 points across the 100 and 200m. In the 400m, James Huland made his debut at senior level finishin in 5th place in the 400 and 3rd in the 400m hurdles. Brian Kelly made a return to middle distance track events where he gathered 11 points across the 800 and 1500m. Another juvenile athlete making the step up to Senior ranks was Cormac Dineen who won 4 points in the 1500m Walk. Mark Brennan finsihed in 3rd in the High jump. The second guest for the Men’s was Eoin Kennan who jumped in the Long and Triple Jump. Eoin finished 2nd in the Long Jump and 3rd in the Triple Jump which gave the team a huge 13 point boost. Matthew Rossiter took victory in the Pole Vault and followed this up with a victory in the Javelin to gather 18 points for the club. Team Manager, Patsy Baldwin stepped in for the Weigth For Distance where he gathered 4 points. Team Captain Ger Kelly took victory in the Men’s Hammer and gathered a further 6 points in the Shot Putt on a day where he really led his team by example. John Territt gathered 6 points in the Discus. In both relays, the team of Eoin, Reuben, Do and Mohammad gathered 4 points while the 4 by 400m team of Reuben, James, Mohammad and Brian finished in 5th place.

            The club would like to extend a huge thank you to team captains, Katie Baldwin and Ger Kelly. Also to team managers David and Patsy Baldwin who worked tirelessly to ensure full teams were in action on the day. To Noleen Condron also who ensured everybody looked great in their new gear and to all the supporters and coaches who travelled to support the athletes. Well done to both of our teams, especially the ladies taking home a silver medal. We look forward to building towards next year and seeing further improvement in the National League.

National Juvenile Championships Day 3

The last group of juveniles were in All Ireland action on Saturday with Day 3 of the National Juvenile Championships taking athletes to Tullamore for the final time this year. Katie Baldwin, team Captain of the National League team came hoem with a bronze medal finishing in 3rd place with a leap of 10.02 in the Girls U19 Triple Jump. Well done to Katie and it marks a great end to her juvenile career. Also in action was Con O Reilly in the Boys U14 Shot Putt who threw 6.91m. In the U 16 Boys 1500m Will Duffy finsihed in 9th place.Aaliyah Troy came 9th in the U16 Girls High Jump. In the 300mH James Hyland was 4th in Heat 2 of the U17 Boys. Finn Craig ran 4:19 in the U18 Boys 1500m. Holly Byrne was the final athlete in action finishing just outside the medals in the U19 Girls Shot where her throw of 8.60 was good enough for 4th. Well done to each of these athletes who will now enjoy a break before training resumes in September for the winter months.