Impressive McDonnell strikes gold in the National Junior Track & Field 400m

ROBERT McDonnell was the star of the Galway athletes who participated on the first day of the National Junior Track and Field Championships in Santry on Saturday.

McDonnell proved a comprehensive winner of the national junior 400m, clocking a fine time of 48.66 in wet conditions. The GCH club member is having a good season and recently performed well at the Irish seniors.

Sarah Gilhooley of GCH also medalled as she took silver in the 3000m steeplechase, clocking 12.34.41 behind Cara McNally of Lusk.

There were good sprint performances from GCH participants, notably Andrew Egan who finished sixth in the 200m final in 23.42. Aisling Healy, Nicole Quirke and Richard Kamsen in the 200m, and Robert Urquhart, Paschal Walsh and Ella O Connor in the 400m showed promise as well.

Craughwell AC had strong representation in the junior men’s 1500m, with four finishing in the top ten. Kyle Moorhead ran a fine race to come fourth overall. Oisin Davis, who won his heat, finished seventh just ahead of Paddy Noonan in eighth, while Sean Cotter was tenth overall. Barry Murphy of GCH also competed in this event.

Emily Miskella of Craughwell ran a personal best of 4.56 for third in her heat in the women’s 1500m. Craughwell’s Leanagh Gilligan and Alicia Larkin came 10th and 11th respectively in a high-quality long jump field. Clubmate Freya Bohan was fourth in her 200m heat.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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