Local athletes take multiple gold at National Juvenile Track & Field finals

Published: 28 July 2023

From this week's Galway City Tribune

Author: Our Reporter
~ 2 minutes read

From this week's Galway City Tribune

Local athletes take multiple gold at National Juvenile Track & Field finals

LAST weekend saw the concluding action in the National Juvenile Championships in Tullamore, with Galway clubs returning West with an array of medals after some great performances.

David Mannion (South Galway AC) and brother Stephen claimed a 1-2 in the U-19 400m final, with the former claiming gold in a flying 49.00 seconds, ahead of Stephen in 49.64

South Galway AC had a fantastic day in the Race Walks as Sinead Maher won gold in the U-18 3km event, Seán Kelleher took silver in the U-19 5km and Ciaran Kelleher struck bronze in the U-15 walk. Clubmate Amy Rose Kelly won double bronze over 400m and 300m hurdles.

Athenry AC struck double gold at the Nationals, with victory for Seán Doggett in the U-18 400m in a new best of 49.25 seconds. Liam Shaw of Athnery AC completed his juvenile career with gold in the discus at U-19 level, throwing a huge 42.3 metres.

For Galway City Harriers, Angela Cielecka captured her third successive sprint title when taking the 100m in a time of 12.20 seconds. Daniel Sangodele also won gold in the triple jump, adding 30cm to his Connacht record. Michelle Nnadi also won bronze in the U-14 80m, just as she had done in the National Indoors over 60m, running an excellent 10.59s

Tuam AC Race walkers once again excelled, with Savanagh O’Callaghan winning her first ever outdoor title in 9.34.07, a new personal best in the U-16 2000m walk. The title adds to her victories in the All-Ireland Indoors in April, the Irish Schools and Tailteann Games in June, and the International Schools Championships.

For Matthew Newell, also of Tuam, the season was equally impressive as he won all the same titles as his training partner O’Callaghan, and had the added bonus of breaking the seven-year-old championship record with a stunning time of 13.04.54 in the U-16 3000m walk.

Alix Joyce claimed her fourth All-Ireland medal of the season when she picked up a battling silver medal in the U-19 400m Hurdles in 66.09, while clubmate Ciara Gilmore was rewarded with a fine silver in the U-17 3000m walk in a new personal best time of 18.06.91.

Pictured: Seán Doggett of Athenry AC celebrates winning the under 18 400m during the 123.ie National Juvenile Track and Field Championships at Tullamore Harriers Stadium. Inset: Athenry AC gold medal winners Liam Shaw (U-19 Discus) and Sean Doggett (U-18 400m).