Sports hub in Tipperary hosted successful Track and Field Live event

The final leg of Track and Field Live took place at the splendid TUS Regional Sports Hub in Clonmel recently and was the place to be to watch some quality performances in perfect conditions.

Over 250 athletes from all over the country descended on Clonmel to compete and run fast times on the super-fast Mondo track surface.

Meet Director, Olympian David Matthews, brought his fast paced three-hour athletics event to the Sports Hub, supported by his timing crew and TUS PA announcer on the night Patrick Davoren.

There were some stand out performances, with Colin Doyle, Leevale AC blasting 10.55 seconds in the 100 metres final. Laura O’Leary, Leevale AC won the women’s race in 12:32.

David Ryan, Moycarkey Coolcroo AC, stormed to a time of 47.4 seconds in the 400 metres. Behind him, promising 17-year-old half miler Senan O’Reilly, St Catherine’s ran 49.6 seconds and 52 year-old Carlton Haddock, Leevale AC, turned back the years with an excellent 52.25 seconds.

In the field events Aoife Callan, Bandon AC, threw a solid 40.39 metres.

The underage relay, sprints and short distance races were a joy to watch for parents and supporters, especially seeing kids with special needs and disabilities having fun enjoying their sport. Let us hope they stick at the sport and turn into good seniors, as at end of the day this is always the target.

What a great sport athletics is, after the Irish women’s exploits in the relay at the European Championships in Rome and more to come at the Olympics in Paris.

Above: Laura O’Leary, Leevale AC, storms to victory in a time of 12.32 seconds in the Women’s 100 metres final at Track and Field Live, held at the TUS Regional Sports Hub in Clonmel

Rachel O’Shea, Cork Track Club, after many years away from the sport has scope to improve a lot but needs a good winter conditioning behind her. Ciara O’Neill, Clonmel AC, who was dropping down in distance and from the roads finished third in 2:26.41.

Aimee Hayde, Newport AC, won the women’s mile in a competent 5:10.92, with Clonmel’s Laura Cooney second in 5:17.85.

The final event of the night was the Men’s Mile. It did not disappoint, with local star Sean Tobin putting on a show of classy middle distance, running 4:06.98 and supported by training partner William Maunsell, who took him to 800 metres in 2:03. Hitting the bell in 3:05 all alone, Sean powered home full of running and strength.

Behind him proud Fethard AC man Louis Rice continued his education in track training and racing to a new five seconds PB with a promising 4:44.09 in third. Ross McCarthy, Clonmel AC was ninth, just missing out on his first sub five minute mile in 5:02.34.

The sport is on a crest of a wave now with the Olympic Games in Paris to look forward to.

School Heads, PE teachers and parents are asked to encourage young people to come and try the sport in Clonmel, both Track and Field events, as well as encouraging people from all walks of life, backgrounds and nationalities to come and help out, or become coaches to help bring through the next generations of talent, as the sports needs it.