Breaking: John Kelly sets new Irish shot put record
The Finn Valley AC man threw beyond 20m for the first time to set a new Irish record at the Cork City Sports
John Kelly broke down in tears after setting a massive new Irish record on Tuesday evening at the Cork City Sports.
The Finn Valley AC man threw a new mark of 20.16m in the shot put at the prestigious meet, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze meet.
It was the first time the St Johnston man threw beyond 20m - and the meaning of it all wasn’t lost on the St Johnston man.
Kelly sank to his knees as he took in a moment he has dreamed of for years while working alongside his father and coach, John Kelly senior.
Eric Favors had set a new Irish record of 20.07m in May, breaking the 30-year mark of Paul Quirke, his 20.04m coming in New York in 1992.
Favors bettered his own throw in Cork, reaching out to 20.11m - but Kelly’s star rose to new heights.
Kelly’s throw earned him a bronze medal with Italian ace Nick Ponzio winning with a. 20.71 effort and American Andrew Liskowitz taking silver when throwing 20.57m.
Last month, Kelly threw a new Ulster best of 19.57m when competing in Norway and recently set a new Championship record of 19.25m in winning the Irish senior shot put crown in Santry.