Carlow's Libby Harris-Byrne strikes gold
Libby Harris Byrne - wins the minor 75m hurdles. All Photos: Perri Williams.
In the 110th edition of the All-Ireland Schools Track and Field, held last weekend in Tullamore more records were set, medals won and amazing all around good performances witnessed. The high standards continue to be seen across all events which cumulated in an enjoyable and successful two days of competitive championships.
The events this year were marked by a presentation of a World Athletics Heritage plaque by World Athletics representative Pierce O’Callaghan to the Irish Schools Athletics Association. The schools athletics association at 110 years is the second oldest athletics association in the world, behind Jamacia.
To honour this, the presentation was made in front of hundreds of spectators and athletes at Friday’s competition to the President of the Association Carlow’s Billy Delaney. Delany a coach with St Laurence O’Toole has served on the national executive for the past ten years and began his role in schools athletics almost thirty years ago as a teacher (now retired) at the Presentation in Carlow. Since then, he has produced a steady stream of talented athletes who have not only won national championships but have also gone on to represent Ireland at many levels. The plaque is now located on the entrance wall to the Tullamore Harriers stadium for all to see.
Two track competitions dominated the weekend: the Schools All Ireland and the Leinster Children’s games. The latter which saw Barrow Valley with three “pairs” qualify for the All-Irelands.
Notwithstanding the momentous occasion of the plaque presentation, there were some outstanding team and individual performances over the two day event. Carlow for a small county were outstanding with a total of over 20 medals won.
The St Leo’s junior girls team of Ava Broderick, Emily Kidd and two St Abbans athletes (Faye Brennan and Zoe Dunne) set a new championship record of 49.35 seconds to win the 4x100m relay. The quartet were a full two seconds ahead of St Bridgets, Killarney. A strong second leg by Emily Kidd ensured the girls gained ground on Ballyclare High School. By the time the baton got around to Ava Broderick, the team had the lead.
Broderick stormed up the home straight to increase their lead and lead the team to gold and a new championship record, obliterating the old one of 50.34, set 15 years ago. Broderick herself had earlier finished second in the Junior 100m in a new personal best of 12.57 seconds.
It was gold for Libby Harris Byrne in the minor girls 75m hurdles. The presentation college athlete was flawless in her approach. Taking the final hurdle almost simultaneously with Sligo’s Isabelle Sheridan, her speed ensured she overtook Sheridan in the final few meters to take her first schools title.
Chloe Ryan (Presentation) ensured she had a championship to remember. Her final schools championship saw her come away with three medals. Individually Ryan took third in the shot putt with a best throw of 10.36m. An hour later she returned from the Discus area with another bronze, beating Dunlavin’s Cara Wright, the Leinster winner. At the end of the day, she joined her presentation team mates to take silver in the senior 4x100m relay. The senior team consisted of Ryan, Sofia Granjo (both SLOT) along with Crookstown-Millview’s Niamh O’Shea and St Abbans Noshabo Siziba. Three counties contributing to one relay.
For Sophia Granjo, her surprise sub 55 400m at last weeks Leinster u20 Championships and her World u20 200m qualifying standard alerted many to her presence. Racing against the much acclaimed Erin Friel (Donegal) many wondered how far Granjo could go. Once again the Carlow athlete dipped under 55 seconds, taking silver in a time of 54.69 seconds. She pushed Friel all of the way to the line, the Donegal athlete having to work a little harder than expected.
There was silver and a seasons best for Daragh Corcoran, representing Tullow Community School in the senior boys discus. Corcoran threw 45.12m from his first throw. A series of fouls followed, forcing him to rely on his only secure throw for a medal position. It was a frustrating competition for Corcoran, who was just 1cm off the gold medal position. It was also silver for Harry Butcher (DLS Bagnalstown) in the Junior boys Long Jump. With the sun going down on Friday night, it was one of the last events of the evening.
A first round foul was followed by a leap of 5.79m, bringing him into the bronze medal position. Another foul left the SLOT athlete frustrated at things not going to plan. However his final jump, a new personal best of 6.05m brought him over 6m for the first time ever in a competition.
The minor girls 4x100m relay team from St Leo’s consisting of Alix Dunne, Fatima Mohammed Ibrahim and two Laois athletes finished second. With the presentation finishing 7th in the same race. to cap off an outstanding championship, St. Leo’s emerged as Overall Junior Girls’ Champions. Others to compete were (SLOT): Alana Callinan (Tyndall College) JG Pole Vault 5th, Isabelle McCormack (Presentation College Carlow) senior Javelin 6th and Jack Wickham (Presentation College Carlow) inter pole vault.
Lucy Malone representing FCJ Bunclody finished 8th in the u16 mile. The Ballon/Rathoe athlete recorded a time of 5.19. With 5th to 8th finishing almost all together. This was a good performance from Malone, who has been part of the Carlow middle distance development squads.
Representing DLS Bagnalstown, Billy Og Forde finished 7th in the minor long jump, jumping a best of 4.94m from his second round. One centimetre further would have earned the Barrow Valley athlete the right to a further three jumps.
Bobby Crowley (SLOT) continues to churn out the personal best performances. After already setting new markers for his 800m and 1,500m in the past two weeks in the UK, he returned again this week to the BMC Birmingham Grand Prix where he finished second in the B 1500m race with a new personal best of 3:45.91.
Bobby Crowley returned to action this weekend at the British Milers Club Grand Prix in Birmingham, producing another impressive performance. Competing in the Men’s 1500m B race, Bobby finished in an excellent second place, clocking a superb time of 3:45.91. This was just one second behind Donore’s Louis McLoughlin.
Traditionally referred to as the “pairs and u12/13 championships” this championships brings together the younger members of the athletics community. Starting with u9s up to u11s is the pairs competition where the podium paces and All-Ireland qualification depend on the cumulative times/distances of the two members of the club “pair” competing. It is regular championships for the u12 and u13s with individual placings.
St Pats Tullow, took home a silver medal from the Leinster Championships last Sunday. Oskaras Stonkus finished 2nd in the u12 shot with a throw of 8.85m from his third round, behind the ultimate winner Luke Hanlon (Thomastown). His third round throw moved him from third into the silver medal position which he retained to the end. He also finished 11th in the high jump.
Oliver McDonald (SLOT) produced yet another outstanding performance in the boys u12 600m. The Leinster Indoor Champion qualified easily from the heats to take on the final two hours later. The ease at which he passed his competitors and held on to gold was obvious to all. Recording a time of 1:42 for the 600m, McDonald will surely go well under this at nationals. With a good medal in his pocket the talented youngster then finished 2nd in the u12 60m. McDonald will now compete over both distances at nationals in a few weeks time.
Barrow Valley were represented by over 30 athletes, which is not surprising given their presence at the recent county championships. Ryan Murphy and Cillian Nolan finished 4th in the u11 500m pairs, a second off the bronze medal. Murphy had a particularly good race, finishing the second fastest overall on the day. There was better luck for the u10 boys 500m pair of Daniel Hickey and Tadgh Brennan.
With Hickey also recording the second fastest 500m in his age group, the pair took gold, booking their tickets to the Nationals. Hickey then teamed up with Jacob Cummins with both athletes taking silver in the 60m. The u10 girls pair of Kate McNally and Hayley Moloney finished 5th. The two girls bounced back a little later to finish third in the 60m sprint, also booking their tickets to the All-Irelands. Three pair’s have qualified for the All-Irelands, rounding out a good day for the club.
The Carlow County team took second in the u11 4x100m relay. The team members were: Daniel Hickey, Jacob Cummins, James Lawler, Ryan Murphy, Cillian Nolan and Freddie Kelly. The Carlow girls u11 team finished 3rd with the team of: Katie Byrne, Gabriela Duggan, Holly Broderick, Ma-Aab Mohammed Ibrahim and Emily Coady
