Athletics Leinster U12-U19 Juvenile T&F Championships, Tullamore

After what has been a sensational week for athletics on a High Performance level, St Abbans’ young athletes, coaches and parents made the now very familiar journey to Tullamore over the weekend for the Leinster U12-U19 Juvenile Track and Field Championships. The club had a huge number of athletes in action spread across a wide variety of athletics disciplines from sprinting, throws, walks, jumps and of course Long Distance. Competition across Leinster is always very high and this was evident once again across the weekend.
On Day 1 of the competition Rachel Ayers claimed a bronze medal in the Girls U18 1500m. Her teammates, Ellie and Caitlin Dillion Byrne finished just behind in 4th and 5th place. In the Boys U18 event Finn Craig finished in 2nd taking the silver medal. Will Duffy was 3rd in the Boys U16 1500m. In the Boys U17 Darragh Lazenby just missed out on the medal when he finished in 4th place with Shane Stynes further back in 9th. Cormac Dineen was rewarded for his consistency and hard work when he claimed a silver medal in the Boys U17 Walk. John Delaney continued his excellent form this year when he took the victory in the Boys U18 400m. Cara English claimed a bronze medal in the Girls U16 High Jump with Aaliyah Troy just behind in 4th place. In the Girls U19 Javelin Holly Byrne won a silver medal and unfortunately just missed out on a medal in the Shot Putt when she finished in 4th place. Cathal English made it a great day for the English family when he took a bronze medal in the Boys U13 Javelin. In the Boys U14 Shot Putt, Con O’Reilly finished in 3rd place while his club mate Darragh Kennedy finished in 6th place. Joshua Crosby continues to excel at the Shot Putt and finished in 2nd place in the Boys U15 Shot Putt. In the Triple Jump Lily O’ Neill finished in the bronze medal position with Aoibheann Carter just behind in 4th place. The club’s final medal of the day came in the Girls U17 Inter County Relay where the St Abbans group of Rachel Dooley, Cara English, Aaliyah Troy and Rachel Hartnett finished in 3rd position.
On Day 2 the club also recorded great success. Katie Hartnett claimed a silver medal in the U15 Hurdles. Adam Kelly secured a bronze in the boys U15 Hurdles. Katie Baldwin also had a successful run in the Hurdles finishing in 2nd place. In the longer hurdles, Cara English finished in 3rd place in the 250m Hurdles, while Adam Kelly was also 3rd in the U15 250m Hurdles. John Delaney successfully returned to claim a second gold medal of the weekend when he took victory in the U18 800m. Finn Craig returned to claim a second silver medal of the weekend finishing 2nd in the U18 3000m. Roisin Kearney was the winner of the Girls U12 Long Jump. Daire O Sullivan finished 2nd in the U12 Long Jump. After her second place in the Hurdles, Katie Baldwin went one better in the Triple Jump where she won the U19 competition. Adam Kelly also claimed gold in the U15 Triple Jump. Abbie Delaney finished 2nd in the Girls U15 Shot Putt. The final medal of the weekend came from Holly Byrne who finished 2nd in the U19 Discus.
There were also a host of athletes who just missed out on medals, but nonetheless put in fine performances representing the club. These athletes will learn a huge amount from these championships and will no doubt return for B Championships later in the year. Once again a huge thank you to all of the coaches and parents who continue to give of their time to prepare athletes to compete at these events.