Derry Olympians in the medals at Indoor Track & Field Championships

A fantastic weekend was had recently in the National Indoor Arena, Blanchardstown where 22 of Olympian YAC’s young athletes travelled to compete in the Ulster & NI Indoor athletics Championships.

The Olympian flame was definitely burning bright by each and every one of the athletes’ performances with lots of season’s bests, personal bests and an added bonus of a collection of Ulster & NI medals coming back to the club. For some of our athletes it was their first time competing in the indoor arena.

Throws

The club throwers had an early start on Day 1. Ciara McDaid threw a season’s best of 10.51m to claim a silver medal. Joining Ciara on the podium was Maeve McGeehin who threw a PB of 9.45m to claim a bronze medal.

Later in the day, Aoife McGeehin was in action in the U16’s and won a silver medal when she threw a PB of 9.54m. On Day 2, Hanna Carty competed in the U13 Girls and earned herself a Qualification for the All Irelands in Athlone when she finished in fourth place.

Ellen O’Donnell and Victoria Adeogun were in action in the U19 age group and finished in fourth and fifth place. The ever-improving Charlie McHugh threw a new PB of 8.50m in the U18 Shot Put.

Sprints

The Club sprinters were in action in a number of events. In the U14 boys 60m, Dylan Curley and Tei Chen both ran excellent heats earning themselves’ places in the final.

Kellie and Malachy with their jumps medals on Sunday in Abbotstown.

In the final, Dylan ran a swift 8.61s and was rewarded with a Silver medal for his efforts, while Tei finished in fifth place. Lucy Campbell also earned a place in the U14 girls 60m final. Lucy finished a very credible 6th place in a very competitive final.

Aine Strain was in action in the 60m & 200m where she finished in 8th place in the 60m and in 6th place in the 200m final. Callum Cassidy had a brilliant day out finishing in 4th place in the U16 boys 60m and in Silver medal position in the 200m. Callum was joined by team mate Patrick McHugh who finished in 6th place in the 200m final.

On day 2, Martin Corbett added to the club’s medal tally winning a well-deserved bronze medal in the U15 60m and Asme Hassel-Ayres finished in 4th place. Charley Barr and Lucy Donaghy ran well in their heats with Charley being rewarded with a 5th place finish in the final. Donal Og O’Brien ran an excellent 200m and was rewarded with a silver medal.

Bonnie Gillard competed in the 60m &200m, taking a silver medal in the 60m and finished in 5th place in the 200m. Also competing well were Eoghan O’Donnell (8th U18 60m), Hanna Carty (5th 60m Heat), Emmanuel Adeogun (8th 60m & 4th 200m heat) and Joseph Adeogun. In the U19 Mixed relay Ellen & Eoghan O’Donnell, Bonnie Gillard & Donal Og O’Brien ran well and secured a bronze medal.

Maeve and Ciara all smiles with their podium finishes in the U14 girls Shot Put.

The club also had 3 athletes competing in the Hurdles, Hanna Carty finished in 7th place in the 60m hurdles final. Kellie Carty, Charley Barr and Lucy Donaghy all competed in the U15 hurdles. Lucy Campbell finished in 5th place in the U14 hurdles.

Middle Distance

Kellie Carty ran well in her U15 800m heat. Mollie Heaney decided to compete in the 800m and the 1500m. Molly finished in 5th place in the 800m and in 4th place in the 1500.

Jumps

Cara Heaney Jumped an excellent 3.71m in the U14 long jump. Dylan Curley added to his silver medal tally securing a silver medal in the U14 boys competition with a jump of 4.07m. Martin Corbett added another medal his collection where he earned a silver medal for an excellent jump of 4.41m.

The club had two athletes in action in the Triple Jump, Kellie Carty was in excellent form where she secured a gold medal for an excellent jump of 9.13m. Malachy Mullen was also rewarded with a gold medal for a jump of 10.23m. Martin also won a silver medal in the high jump where he jumped 1.55m.

The weekend showed lots of great Olympian heart from all members taking part. Well-deserved results were achieved from all for the commitment and training put in over the winter so well done to everyone. In total, the club secured 2 Gold medals, 9 Silver medals, 3 Bronze medals and 4 fourth place finishes.

All of our medallists will progress to the All-Ireland Indoor Championships later this month as do 4th place finishers and everyone at the club wishes them well.

Sophie Parlour (far right) with Loughborough 4x200m relay teammates at British Universities

A big thank you to all our club coaches and parents/guardians who made the long journey to Dublin to support all our athletes whose ongoing commitments and dedication to the club and athletes is what keeps the Olympian flame alight.

WELL DONE

A massive well done to Olympian’s Sophie Parlour who was part Loughborough’s Gold medal winning 4x200m woman’s team at the recent British Universities Indoor Championships. A magnificent achievement for a dedicated, determined and exceptional athlete.

TRAINING

We are insured to cater for any and all abilities from 7 years of age right up to senior and master’s level who wish to train, keep fit, have fun, and/or compete at a local to national/ international standard.

Training continues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm at Templemore Sports Complex Track. For further details please contact Michelle O’Donnell via the club Facebook Page on Olympian AC or talk to any of our coaches at the track on any training night.