Medals galore for local athletes at Irish Schools Track & Field Championships

THE rising standard of Connacht athletics was clearly evident as the All-Ireland Schools Track and Finals returned to Tullamore following its two-year Covid-enforced hiatus. In total, Connacht schools emerged with 41 medals, with over half of them going to Galway athletes, winning 23 medals on a day stacked with outstanding performances.

The first track event of the day saw one of the best races as Tuam girls India Cunniffe and Savannagh O’Callaghan both recorded individual personal bests in the Junior (U15) 1200m Race Walk to take first and second for their respective schools. Savannagh, representing Mercy Tuam, started off at a blistering pace and held a clear lead for practically the entire race. However, as she neared the finish line her early exuberance was taking its toll, and this was the signal for India, representing rival school Presentation Tuam, to pounce.

And pounce she did, taking the gold medal in the last three strides to win in an impressive 5:30.05, a mere 15 hundredths of a second ahead of her clubmate. Caoimhe Phelan, from HRC Mountbellew, also put in a fine performance in the same race to take 5th spot

Good and all as the girl’s event was, the very next race saw an even better performance as Coláiste Baile Chláir’s Matthew Newell blew the opposition away when romping to victory in the Junior boys 1200m Walk. In doing so, he took a phenomenal 16 seconds off the previous championship best record when finishing in a time of 4:53.31.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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