Carlow Athletics Shine at the AAI Games

The AAI Games and National Combined Events was held last Sunday in Abbottstown, a season opener for most athletes. Gone is the snow and with athletes tucked into the safe haven of the indoors, there was ample opportunity for athletes to post some good opening performances.

Carlow was represented by thirteen athletes, many of whom produced very positive opening results. Racing in the colours of Clonliffe Harriers was Carlow native Marcus Lawler. Lawler won the first heat of the 200m in a rather rapid 21.22. While this is slower than the personal best of 20.92 Lawler set almost five years ago, it is his fastest season opener in almost three years and was the fastest 200m recorded on the day. Lawler went on to finish second in heat 1 of the 60m with a time of 6.87.

Adam Nolan was back in form as he hurdled his way to victory in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.02. Nolan who has previously represented Ireland at the European u20 Championships will be building towards the European u23 Championships later this summer. Memories of hitting the final hurdle at the national seniors last year as the water provided a slide for him right across the finishing line will no doubt be etched in his brain.

Matthew Callinan-Keenan was back to winning ways as he soared the lofty height of 4.60m to vault to victory in the pole vault, forty centimeters clear of Kilkenny’s Shane Power in second. The St Laurence O’Toole athlete is the reigning national indoor and outdoor champion and will be seeking to retain his indoor title next month. Other athletes to compete across various events were Eoin Byrne, Ruben McCarthy, David Hayde, Jermiah Duru, Lee Prendergast and Keith Pollard. All competing with distinction.

Amongst the ladies, Lelia Colfer was in action over 200m and finished third in heat 3 with a time of 25.63. Colfer has a best of 24.81 indoors which she set at the Leinster u20 Indoor championships in 2023. Her time last Saturday represents her fastest every season opener for 200m. Sive O’Toole competed in both 60m series with her fastest time being 7.52 seconds. This is just marginally short of her personal best of 7.45 which she set in 2024. There were two Carlow athletes competing in the 60m hurdles; Arabella Adekoya and Emily Lawler. Adekoya recorded a best of 8.67 with Lawler who is a 400m hurdle specialist recording a best of 8.99.

It is a promising prospect for the county to have so many young athletes who have made it through the juvenile ranks now performing at senior level. This is testament to the athlete development work being undertaken by Carlow Athletics over the past few years.

Results 200m Heat 1: 5 Eoin Byrne 25:15 Heat 6 3 Ruben McCarthy (SLOT) 24.12 5 Keith Pollard 24.45 Heat 1 1 Marcus Lawler (Clonliffe) 21.22 60m Heat 1 2 Marcus Lawler (Clonliffe) 6.87 Heat 4 5 Jermiah Duru (SLOT) 7.54 Heat 5: 7 Lee Prendergast (SLOT) 7.72 Heat 6 5 David Hayde 7.82 Heat 7 1 Eoin Byrne (SLOT) 7.30 60m Hurdles: Heat 1 1 Adam Nolan (SLOT) 8.02 Series 2: 3 Adam Nolan 8.13 5 Ruben McCarthy (SLOT) 8.60 Pole Vault: 1 Matthew Callinan Keenan (SLOT) 1 4.60 Lee Prendergast failed at 3.40 200m Heat 5 3 Lelia Colfer (SLOT) 25.63 60m Heat 3 1 Sive O’Toole (SLOT) 7.56 S2 7.52 60m Hurdles Heat 1 2 Arabella Adekoya (SLOT) 8.83 S2 8.67 4 Emily Lawlor (SLOT) 8.99 S2 9.03