Day of top-class athletics action is in store at Tipperary venue

The Clonmel Regional Sports Hub has been a very worthy addition to the town and county’s sporting and social facilities, offering an outlet for healthy exercise and supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of people of all ages across the community.

The hub boasts a World Athletics-approved 400 metres athletics track, as well as a water hurdle, long jump track, shot putt, discus and javelin stations, in addition to a playground, skatepark, a cycle (pump) track and a walking/running trail around its perimeter.

Preparations are now being finalised for what will be the biggest event at the sports hub since it was officially opened almost two years ago, when it will host an IMC (Irish Milers Club) Meet on this Saturday, May 3.

READ NEXT: Community event in Tipperary hears about support services for addicts and their families

Around 300 athletes, mostly from around the country, will converge on the sports hub, which was developed by TUS (Technological University of the Shannon) in partnership with Tipperary County Council and built at a cost of €5.5 million.

Admission will be free for what will be a great day of athletics action.

SEE MORE: Tipperary teenager contributes to heated housing debate on RTÉ television show

A total of 30 athletes will compete in hammer and shot putt throwing events, which are dedicated to the memory of the legendary Olympic hammer thrower and adopted Clonmel man, Dr Pat O’Callaghan, from 10am to 1.30pm.

They will include Nicola Tuthill, who finished in ninth place in the hammer at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris. The Bandon athlete recently won the European Under 23 gold medal in Cyprus, and will bring throwing of a world class standard to Clonmel.

All throwing competitors will receive a commemorative medallion.

Meanwhile, the track events will take place from 2-5pm. Races will be held for men and women over 400 metres, 800 metres, 1,500 and 3,000 metres. The latter three races will have pacemakers to help achieve fast times.

This is a Level F World Athletics Permit Meet. If their times are fast enough, athletes will have the opportunity to accumulate points in their attempt to qualify for championship events at junior and senior level, such as Olympic Games and European championships.

In keeping with the inclusive nature of the sports hub, a Paralympic 100 metres sprint will take place at 1.50pm.

Also, the Primary Schools Daily Mile will be held at 3.15pm, with medals presented to all finishers of this fun event, which is not a race.

The Daily Mile is a 15 minutes-a-day programme promoted by Athletics Ireland. An invitation has gone out to all primary schools in the Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir area to encourage children to participate in this non-competitive event on Saturday.

The starting time for all events are listed on the IMC website.

The Daily Mile element of Saturday was launched at the sports hub recently, when children from two classes at St Oliver’s National School in Clonmel were treated to the rare and welcome experience of running on the track with local athletics hero Seán Tobin, who himself is a past pupil of St Oliver’s.

To coincide with Saturday’s event, Clonmel High School students have completed a collage of famous Tipperary athletes including Dr Pat O’Callaghan, Thomas Chamney, Sharlene Mawdsley, Tommy Moloney, Sean Tobin and Courtney McGuire.

Other attractions on the day will include face painting for children. Jack Hickey from Limerick will be the MC for the event, and music will add to the overall atmosphere.

“The meet will showcase the facility to the community,” says Patrick Davoren, the sports hub’s sports facility coordinator, who is a former Commonwealth Games competitor and Irish steeplechase record holder.

“My vision for the sports hub is that it will be a top class facility and it requires top class events taking place here.

“Hopefully, we will have Olympians from this area, but it needs support from the community and investment in people”.

Patrick is very grateful to Camida for their generous sponsorship of Saturday’s IMC Meet; volunteers and officials from all over Munster and Leinster for helping out; Frank Greally for promoting the Daily Mile for primary schools; TUS for providing the facility; IMC for allocating the Meet Director role to Patrick Davoren, TUS Sports Facility Coordinator, to bring top class athletics to Clonmel; Nicola Tuthill of Bandon AC for attending and competing; and “most importantly the athletes and their coaches for supporting this new event.

“Without the athletes, we do not have a sport,” he says.