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Standards must be achieved in the 2008 season to qualify for the High Performance Achievers programme 2008/ 2009

High Performance Youth and Junior Achievers Standards 2008

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Polish Olympic hammer champion coming to Santry this Friday to challenge Eileen O’Keeffe and current World Champion, Betty Heidler

Strongest ever mile and throwing events held in Ireland

FREE entry to Brother Ireland Morton Memorial Meeting which starts at 6.30 pm

Kamila Skolimowska, the Olympic hammer champion in 2000 has confirmed today (Tuesday 22nd July) that she will travel to Dublin to compete this Friday in Morton Stadium, Santry against Ireland’s Eileen O’Keeffe and current World Champion, Betty Heidler of Germany, in what will be the strongest ever field event competition held in Ireland.

Skolimowska (25) finished fifth in the 2004 Olympics, and won silver and bronze medals at the 2002 and 2006 European Championships respectively. She has already thrown 73.50 metres this summer. She will be joined in the competition against O’Keeffe by current world champion, Betty Heidler of Germany (who has thrown 74.11 metres this summer) and finished fourth in the 2004 Olympics, the current European Junior Champion, Kathrina Safrankova of the Czech Republic, Kathrin Klaas and Andres Bunjes of Germany and American record holder Erin Gilreath.

O’Keeffe, who finished sixth in the 2007 World Championships, showed she is coming into excellent form when she threw beyond 72 metres three times last Saturday defending her title at the National Championships in Santry with a winning throw of 72.75. With signs of good weather forecast for Friday, and a fast, dry throwing circle, O’Keeffe is expected to challenge her Irish record of 73.21 metres on the night.

Thanks to the generous support of Brother Ireland and the Irish Sports Council, entry will be FREE to the Brother Ireland Morton Memorial Meeting which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the summer of world records on the old cinder track there. Over four weeks from the 9th of July to 7th August 1958 three world records were set in Santry over one, two and three miles. Almost 20,000 tickets have been distributed free for the event.

Announcing the Olympic gold medallist’s addition to the field, meeting director Garrett Coughlan said: ‘These throwers are approaching their peak form and the Brother Ireland Morton Meeting will be their final competition before Beijing. It will be a fantastic opportunity for an Irish audience to see a world-class hammer and mile event here in Morton Stadium and a chance for Eileen O’Keeffe and her team colleagues to have a spectacular send-off’.

The Morton Mile will be the major track event of the evening and will feature twelve men who have already broken the four minute barrier for the distance, including Ireland’s fastest miler of 2008 David Campbell and Mark Christie. Bernard Williams of the USA, with a best time of 9.94 seconds has also been added to the 100 metres field. The full evening’s programme includes five 45 second men and five 50-51 second women in the 400 metres and five sub 10.3 men over 100 metres. A special presentation will be made to five of the 1958 milers, Dan Carnberry, Mick Connolly, Ronnie Delany, Jim Mc Loughlin and Tony O’Donoghue. The programme ends at 9 pm with the Morton Mile. Check out www.mortonmemorial.com for all the details and updates on the event.

PRELIMINARY STARTLISTS 22/07/08

Event/Name Country PB SB
MEN
100M
Bernard Williams USA 9.94 10.22
Ernest Wiggins USA 10.16 10.20
Phillippe De Rossier USA 10.20 10.20
Nick Smith GBR 10.25 10.43
Mario Forsythe JAM 10.27 10.27
Jer O’Donoghue IRL ? ?
Dermot Smith IRL ? ?
Dan Kavanagh IRL ? ?
Hendrick Famatumi IRL ? ?
Dan O’Shea IRL 10.78 10.78
Lorcan O’Cathain IRL 11.29 11.29
Ciaran O’Cathain IRL 11.10 11.10

400M
Andrae Williams BAH 44.90 45.52
Greg Nixon USA 45.20 45.20
Ofentse Mogawane RSA 45.11 45.67
Michael Mathieu BAH 45.66 45.66
Clemens Zeller AUT 45.83 46.60
Kevin Hicks USA 46.00 46.00
Gordon Kennedy IRL 46.48 46.76
TBC

Morton Mile
Rob Myers USA 3.34.89 / 3.53.78 3.36.24 / 3.57.82 i
Mark Carroll IRL 3.34.91 / 3.50.62 3.47.49
Youcef Abdi AUS 3.36.35 / 3.56.23 3.42.98
James Thie WAL 3.37.06 / 3.57.86 3.41
Collis Birmingham AUS 3.37.88 / 3.59.84 3.37.88
Will Leer USA 3.37.63 / 3.58.16 3.37.63 / 3.58.16
Philemon Kimutai KEN 3.38.40 3.38.40
John Jefferson USA 3.39.44 / 4.00.13 3.42.48 / 4.00.13
Graeme Wells CAN 3.39.02 / 4.01.82 3.39.02
Stephen Pifer USA 3.40.51 / 3.59.55i 3.41.55
Darren Brown USA 3.41.78 / 3.59.99 3.41.78 / 3.59.99
Mark Christie IRL 3.41.91 / 3.58.99 3.43.7 / 4.01.24
David Campbell IRL 3.40.25 / 3.58.19 3.40.25 / 3.58.19
Colm Rooney IRL 3.43.13 /4.02.18 3.44.76 / 4.05.30
Mark Hanrahan IRL 3.46.86 3.46.86
Conor Healy (Pace)

3 mile
Josphat Boit KEN 13.17.12 ?
Pete Nohill AUS 13.43.03 ?
Stephen Haas USA 13.38.51 13.38.51
Brian Olinger USA 13.31.21 13.31.21
Matt Flaherty USA ? ?
Vinny Mulvey IRL 13.58.26 ?
Mick Clohissey IRL 14.23.24 14.23.24
Alan Mc Cormack IRL 14.41.25 ?
Mark Kirwan IRL 14.46.91 ?
John Eves IRL 14.48.64 14.48.64
Brian Farrell IRL ? ?
Eugene O’Neill (Pace)

Pole Vault
Leigh Walker IRL 5.01 4.50
Anthony Mc Creery IRL 4.90 4.30
David Donegan IRL 4.80 4.60
Zoe Brown IRL 4.26 4.15(+50cm Handicap)
Adam Walker IRL 4.20 4.40
Stuart Greene IRL 4.20′ 4.10′
Richard Whyte IRL 4.20′ 3.90′
Brian Flatley IRL 3.90′ 3.90′
Ian Rodgers IRL ? ?

IMC v BMC Mile
Jermaine Mays GBR 3.39.85 3.59.64 (Mile)
Adam Bowden GBR 3.40.83 3.42.76
Ricky Stephenson GBR 3.42.55 3.42.55
Richie Corcoran IRL 3.46.64 3.50.38
Kevin Moriarity IRL 3.46.84 3.46.84
Emmet Dunleavy IRL 3.48.34 3.53.25
Aidan Bailey IRL 3.48.40 3.48.40
Martin Conroy IRL 3.48.87 3.51.32
Rory Chesser IRL 3.49.08 3.49.08
Julian Kuppler AUS 3.49.3 3.51.82
Gary O’Hanlon IRL 3.51.21 3.51.22
Patrick Mc Carton IRL 3.53.68 3.53.68
Alan O’Brien IRL ? ?
Darragh Greene IRL ? ?
Feidhlim Kelly (Pace)

WOMEN
100m
Toyin Olupona CAN 11.29 11.29
Anna Boyle IRL 11.49 11.91
Lashawndra Ratcliff USA 11.50′ 11.50′
Ailis Mc Sweeney IRL 11.59 11.64
Claire Brady IRL 11.66 11.66
Kelly Proper IRL 11.68 11.68
Niamh Whelan IRL 11.71 11.71
Loiuse Kiernan IRL 11.88 11.88
Mairead Murphy IRL 12.38 12.41
TBC

400m
Rosemary Whyte JAM 50.05 50.05
Moushami Robinson USA 50.38 52.02
Clora Williams JAM 51.06 51.65
Debbie Dunn USA 51.11 51.11
Florence Ekpo-Umoh GER 51.13 52.32
Elaine Mc Caffrey IRL 55.02 55.48
TBC
TBC

3000m
Maria McCambridge IRL 8.50.40 9.01.37
Melissa Cook USA 9.11.12 i ?
Juliet Potter GBR 9.10.78 9.10.78
Deirdre Byrne IRL 9.12.31 i 9.12.31
Jessica Sparke GBR 9.22.95 9.22.95
Mary Jane Reeves USA 9.23.40 ?
Jane Potter GBR 9.20.83 9.28.70
Kerry Harty IRL 9.28.20 9.28.20
Kate O’Neill IRL 10.16.21 10.16.21
Adrienne Jordan IRL ? ?
Aoife Brady (Pace) IRL

Hammer
Kamila Skolimowska POL 76.83 73.50
Betty Heildler GER 76.55 74.11
Erin Gilreath USA 73.87 66.08
Kathrin Klaas GER 73.45 70.39
Eileen O’Keeffe IRL 73.21 70.39
Andrea Bunjes GER 70.73 67.35
Zoe Dernham GBR 68.62 68.62
Kathrina Safrankova CZE 68.26 68.26

High Jump
Deirdre Ryan IRL 1.92 1.88
Pamela Hughes IRL 1.80 1.80
Rosemary Daniels IRL 1.75 1.75
Grainne Moggan IRL 1.75 1.75
Catriona Farrell IRL 1.71 1.71
Claire Wilkinson IRL ? ?

Junior Men Mile
Chris Jones Raheny Shamrocks AC
Darragh Flynn Raheny Shamrocks AC
Mark McDonald Clonliffe Harriers AC
David Flynn Clonliffe Harriers AC
Eoin McDonnell Clonliffe Harriers AC
Eoin Pearce, Clonliffe Harriers AC
David Fitzmaurice Clonliffe Harriers AC
Lar Brady Clonliffe Harriers AC
Ciaran Phelan Aughavillar AC
Keith Maher Thurles AC
Tomas Cotter Dunleer AC
Fergal Ellis Ballinamore AC
Sam Kelly Fingallians
Joe Breen SBR
Tom Hayes KCH

“Success for the KitKat Irish Schools’ Team in Bedford” - Results

KitKat SIAB Schools’ Track & Field International

19th July 2008 Bedford Track, England

John Shields

This was the most successful day yet by the KitKat Irish Schools’ Track & Field team since these championships began in 1968. Ireland was on the podium for an unprecedented 27 times throughout the afternoon taking home 9 gold, 10 silver and 7 bronze medals. Although England were the eventual winners of the both boys’ and girls’ matches the KitKat Irish Schools’ were closer to them than ever before.

From an Irish point of view the day started well with wins in both hammer competitions. Killian Barry threw 57.95 to hold off a determined challenge from the Welsh boy, Rhys Hodnett. This was followed by an excellent sequence of throws from Gabby McNally to win the girls’ equivalent.

Once again we had good performances from our walkers with Fiona Dennehy walking her way to an impressive victory with Cian McManamon taking a creditable second place in the boys’ event.

A lot was expected from Curtis Woods and he didn’t disappoint. Running a controlled race in the blustery conditions Curtis upped the pace with 200m to go and won the 400m in 48.63. Curtis took third in the 200m and completed his full set of medals with a second place in the sprint relay. Joan Healy was one of those who competed in Poland and here she showed her talent by winning the 100m in 11.95. She also anchored the successful girls 4 x 100 relay team.

The Girls’ Long Jump was rewarding for the Irish as we had a 1, 2. Sally Rose Maughan from Mayo has competed in the shadow of Joanna Mills all year but on Saturday it was Sally’s day with a winning jump of 5.87m. Joanna might have hoped for two firsts but took second also in the 300m. Clare Fitzgerald was another looking for a double but had to be satisfied with a gold and silver. Clare threw 42.88m to win the discus and 12.38m to take second place in the shot.

The 1500m has been good for the Irish over the years and this year Shane Quinn led from start to finish to win with 4.05.72. Tara Jameson was a good second in the 3000m as was Ciaran Dolan in the Long Jump and Darragh Hanlon the Discus.

All in all a very satisfying day for the Irish Schools’ in Bedford.
Girls Events Performance Country

3000m Walk
1 Fiona Dennehy 15.34.42 Ireland
2 Lauren Whelan 15.57.92 England
3 Emma Prindibhil 16.14.89 Ireland

100m Wind: +1.0
1. Joan Healy 11.95 Ireland
2 Hannah Thomas 11.98 Wales
3 Mica Moore 12.15 Wales
6 Stephanie Creaner 12.29 Ireland

200m Wind: +1.2
1. Hannah Thomas 24.34 Wales
2 Jenny Baten 24.46 England
3 Kaneesha Johnson 24.69 England
4 Joan Healy 24.80 Ireland
5 Sarah Lavin 25.11 Ireland

300m
1. Amy Allcock 39.57 England
2 Joanna Mills 40.09 Ireland
3 Victoria Ohuruogu 40.10 England
6 Ruth Nic Dhiarmada 42.62 Ireland

800m
1. Rowena Cole 2.12.28 England
2 Benytta Doman 2.12.98 Wales
3 Rebecca Linney 2.14.04 England
6 Christine McMahon 2.19.90 Ireland
7 Shasha Hooks 2.23.64 Ireland

1500m
1. Beth Potter 4.31.37 Scotland
2 Sarah Kelly 4.31.62 Scotland
3 Sophie Connors 4.33.66 England
7 Ailish Brennan 4.58.68 Ireland
8 Shannen Ryan 5.12.60 Ireland

3000m
1. Isobel Brinsden 9.56.58 England
2 Tara Jameson 10.00.61 Ireland
3 Beth Carter 10.02.75 England
4 Eimear Black 10.06.87 Ireland

80m Hurdles Wind: +1.3
1. Kirsty Warland 11.29 England
2 Chanel Taite 11.29 England
3 Catherine McManus 11.50 Ireland
5 Aimee McNeilly 11.74 Ireland

300m Hurdles
1. Megan Rogers 44.54 Wales
2 Jenny White 44.85 England
3 Claudia Rogers 45.72 England
4 Orla Finn 46.82 Ireland
5 Rebecca Nolan 47.35 Ireland

4 x 100m Relay
1. Ireland 47.25
2 England 47.71
3 Wales 48.96
4 Scotland 49.90

4 x 300m Relay
1. England 2.44.46
2 Ireland 2.48.20
3 Wales 2.48.49
4 Scotland 2.52.36

High Jump
1. Katrina Thomas 1.75 England
2 Marilyn Nwawulor 1.70 England
3 Mary Kate Lanigan 1.65 Ireland
5 Jamie Herron 1.60 Ireland

Long Jump
1. Sally Rose Maughan 5.87 +2.5 Ireland
2 Joanna Mills 5.79 +2.4 Ireland
3 Harriet James 5.55 +1.9 England

Triple Jump
1. Gemma Smith 11.93 +3.2 England
2 Jade Attoh 11.82 +2.7 England
3 Aoife Bartley 11.32 +4.3 Ireland
4 Caoimhe King 11.11 +2.9 Ireland

Pole Vault
1. Christina Hughes 3.60 Wales
2 Ellie Besford 3.40 England
3 Lucy Strickland 3.40 England
6 Nikita Savage 2.85 Ireland
7 Lucy Dugan 2.70 Ireland

Shot Putt
1. Yasmin Spencer 12.53 England
2 Clare Fitzgerald 12.38 Ireland
3 Amber Merrills 11.67 England
5 Ailish Sheehan 10.43 Ireland

Discus
1. Clare Fitzgerald 42.88 Ireland
2 Judie Walkden 42.12 England
3 Brea Leung 35.90 Wales
5 Zoe Scanlon 33.56 Ireland

Javelin
1. Izzy Jeffs 43.49 England
2 Danielle Anderson 42.69 England
3 Mary Wilson 34.93 Wales
4 Grace O’Sullivan 34.78 Ireland
5 Mary Moynihan 34.26 Ireland

Hammer
1. Gabby McNally 48.61 Ireland
2 Myra Perkins 47.82 Scotland
3 Keyleigh Mills 46.58 England
6 Charlotte O’Farrell 40.95 Ireland

Girls’ Match
1. England 229 points
2. Ireland 181 points
3. Wales 134.5 points
4. Scotland 97.5 points

Boys Events

3000m Walk
1. Liam Baldwin 14.26.60 England
2 Cian McManamon 14.47.54 Ireland
3 Jonathan Hobbs 14.55.15 England
4 Oisin Oliver 15.16.23 Ireland

100m Wind: +1.0
1. Deji Tobias 10.58 England RECORD
2 William Ife 10.81 England
3 Thomas Coleman 10.92 Wales
5 Paul Whelan 11.25 Ireland
7 Gerard Maguire 11.37 Ireland

200m Wind: +4.6
1. Kieran Showler-Davis 21.61 England
2 Rhion Samuel 21.64 England
3 Curtis Woods 21.87 Ireland
6 Lorcan O’Cathain 22.99 Ireland

400m
1. Curtis Woods 48.63 Ireland
2 Greg Louden 49.83 Scotland
3 Benjamin Sturgess 49.98 England
8 Joseph Dowling 52.26 Ireland

800m
1. Rikki Letch 1.56.64 England
2 Stuart Ross 1.57.10 Scotland
3 Adam Cotton 1.57.28 England
5 Adam Ingram 1.58.58 Ireland
6 Brian Kelly 2.00.26 Ireland

1500m
1. Shane Quinn 4.05.72 Ireland
2 Alex Cornwell 4.07.77 England
3 Jonathan Hopkins 4.08.62 Wales
4 Ryan Monaghan 4.08.73 Ireland

3000m
1. Jonathan Hay 8.38.66 England
2 Callum Hawkins 8.47.51 Scotland
3 Paul Thompson 8.58.02 England
4 Jake Byrne 9.05.36 Ireland
7 Shane Boggs 9.58.95 Ireland

1500m Steeplechase
1. James Senior 4.26.51 England
2 Lachlan Oats 4.28.37 Scotland
3 Charlie McLean 4.35.32 England
4 Cathal O’Connor 4.36.97 Ireland
5 Pauric McLaughlin 4.37.46 Ireland

100m Hurdles Wind: +3.3
1. Jack Meredith 12.74 England
2 Alex Nwenwu 12.92 England
3 Ben Cleary 13.53 Wales
4 Edmond O’Halloran 13.77 Ireland
5 Paul Whelan 14.24 Ireland

400m Hurdles
1. Jack Green 54.59 England
2 James Foreman 56.13 England
3 Tim Crowe 56.85 Ireland
4 Patrick Maher 57.32 Ireland

4 x 100m Relay
1. England 42.44
2 Ireland 44.03
3 Scotland 44.82
4 Wales DQ

4 x 400m Relay
1. England 3.25.97
2 Ireland 3.31.33
3 Scotland 3.32.47
4 Wales 3.32.77

High Jump
1. Samuel Bailey 2.00 England
2 John McCafferty 1.95 Scotland
3 Onajita Okoro 1.90 England
6 Michael Healy 1.80 Ireland
7 Michael O’Sullivan 1.80 Ireland

Long Jump
1. Dwyte Smith 6.96 +3.9 England
2 Ciaran Dolan 6.66 +0.8 Ireland
3 Rhys MacDonald 6.63 +5.2 England
4 Nathan Jege 6.58 +2.0 Ireland

Triple Jump
1. Benjamin Williams 15.78 +4.0 England RECORD
2 Babatunde Amosu 15.26 +3.3 England
3 Shane Prout 13.36 +1.1 Ireland
5 Nathan Jege 12.61 +2.4 Ireland

Pole Vault
1. Tim Parkin 4.30 England
2 Cameron Walker-Sheppard 4.30 England
3 Lewis Newton 4.20 Wales
6 Thomas Houlihan 3.90 Ireland
7 Keith Doherty 3.50 ireland

Shot Putt
1. Reece Thomas 17.99 England
2 Anthony Oshodi 17.97 England
3 Tomos Edwards 15.98 Wales
4 Andrew Doyle 15.16 Ireland
6 Shane Lynch 14.84 Ireland

Discus
1. Zane Duquemin 53.62 England
2 Darragh Hanlon 49.61 Ireland
3 Tomos Edwards 46.27 Wales
7 Garreth Irvine 40.35 Ireland

Javelin
1. Matti Mortimore 64.30 England
2 Pieter Synman 60.60 England
3 Jon Llewellyn 50.30 Wales
6 Sean Ryder 47.81 Ireland
8 Matthew Ramsey 44.10 Ireland

Hammer
1. Killian Barry 57.95 Ireland
2 Rhys Hodnett 57.39 Wales
3 Andrew Elkins 55.07 England
6 Conal Campion 53.53 Ireland

Boys’ Match
1. England 264 points
2. Ireland 168 points
3. Scotland 129 points
4. Wales 118 points

Birmingham Games
Triple Jump SW Final no wind speeds
1 Sara Barry Cardiff AAC 12.45

Barcelona, 19 juliol 2008
400m
1 ZNAVA Peter SVK 46.10
2 McKEE Paul IRL 46.17
3 EZQUERRO CORDON Santiago ESP 46.70

Heusden Night of Athletics 20 July
200m Women
Heat:1 Wind : 0.3
4 KNIGHT NATHALIE 86 IRL 23.42
200m Women Time
Heat:1 Wind : 1.9
6 KNIGHT NATHALIE 86 IRL 23.34

High Jump Women
Heat:1
4 RYAN DEIRDRE 82 IRL 1.83

5,000m
20 CARROLL MARK 72 IRL 13:37.77

1500m Women Time :20:25
Heat:1
1 MORGAN UCENCY 85 USA 4:07.22 2 BELETE MIMI 88 ETH 4:07.36 7 BYRNE DEIRDRE 82 IRL 4:08.89

BMC Nike Grand Prix Stretford 19 July
800m
4 1:51.62 Steven Morrow U23 Ballymena & Antrim / Border / Lough
800m
7 1:56.37 Ronan Duggan U20 Bandon / Ireland

3,000m
10 8:20.79 Craig Murphy U20 Ireland

Paul Hession claimed the national 100m title, in his last run in Ireland before the Olympics.

On a beautiful Sunday morning in Santry, he cruised to a stunning 10.21 in the heats, which was marginally outside the legally accepted wind speed at 2.1 m/s.

He returned later on to run 10.26 in the final, consistent world class sprinting as we have become accustomed to from the Ballydavid man.

Other Galway athletes in action included Sean Breathnach GCH, who won the National title in the Shot putt, as well as silver medals in both 56lbs height, and 56lbs distance.

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At the third running of our fun handicap 10km last Friday, Peader Nugent got his prediction closest to his clock time to pick up First place in the 'Predict your own time 10km". Barry Beirne from neighbours Loughrea was even closer as he was first guest with a predicted time just 1 second outside his actual time.

The weather just about held off as Derek Conerney, Mary and crew pulled out all the stops to produce a great spread at the BarBque.

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Chamney, Curley and Carey added to squad

Ireland’s finest track and field athletes came together with their coaches and managers from Athletics Ireland today ahead of the Beijing Olympics, which start in three weeks time.

There will be sixteen track and field athletes representing Ireland at this year’s Olympics in China. This follows the late addition of Thomas Chamney of Crusaders AC, Michelle Carey of Dublin Striders and Pauline Curley of Tullamore Harriers to the squad.

Chamney, Carey and Curley have all run the “B” Standard for Olympic qulification and their selection for Beijing was ratified last night by the Olympic Council of Ireland.

Chamney is 24 years old and will compete in the 800m. Michelle Carey is 27 years old and will compete in the 400m Hurdles, while Curley is 39 and she will take part in the Marathon.

The team will be led by Athletics Ireland Team Manager Patsy McGonagle. For eight of the athletes this will be their first Olympic Games, showing the potential of the team for the future.

Some of these include David Gillick, the reigning European Indoor 400m champion and Eileen O’Keefe who finished 6th in the Hammer at last year’s World Championships in Osaka.

They will take their place alongside Olympic veterans such as race walkers Olive Loughnane, Jamie Costin and Robert Heffernan. This will be the third Olympics for Loughnane, Costin and Heffernan although Costin was denied a chance to race in Athens after a car crash nine days before the games left him with two broken vertebrae and multiple fractures.

Showing their experience Loughnane and Heffernan will be ones to watch. Loughnane returned from having her daughter in 2007 and has put in some impressive performances most notably a 6th place finish at the World Race Walking Cup earlier this year.

Heffernan was one of the stand out performers at last year’s World Championships where he finished 6th. Since then he has put in some excellent performances including a 9th place finish at the World Race Walking Cup where he smashed his own 20km record by 53 seconds.

The Games in Beijing will also see an Irish competitor in the Marathon for the first time since Barcelona in 1992. Martin Fagan was the last of the 13 to qualify as he set the standard in January while racing in Dubai.

Liam Hennessy, President of Athletics Ireland, congratulated all the athletes on their qualification “I wish to warmly congratulate all the team on their selection for the Beijing Olympics. Based on achievement to date this is a particularly strong Irish squad. I would like to commend the ISC on their support through the High Performance Programme which has ensured a well prepared team and additionally their support for our development team should ensure a very strong Irish representation in London 2012.

Our sincerest thanks go to Patsy McGonagle Team Manager, Max Jones Director of Athletics and Gareth Devlin Performance Manager for the outstanding manner they have overseen the preparation . I wish the team every success in Beijing and hope that all the athletes will deliver on their own expectations for the Games,” Hennessy said today.

Mary Coghlan, CEO of Athletics Ireland, said, “The primary purpose of today is to recognise and congratulate the achievements of those athletes who have realised the dream of making it to the Olympic Games. We are absolutely committed to maintaining and building on the structures that will maximize the possibility of success through to London 2012 and beyond.

We are passionate about athletics as a sport that is accessible in its various formats to as wide an audience as possible. This includes from five and six year olds who participate in our Little Athletics programme through to those here today who have achieved the elusive elite level. And for those who don’t quite make it to the Olympic Games, our hope is that whether through walking, jogging or running, there is a sense of belonging to a growing athletics family.”

New Irish record for Robert Heffernan

Results

Beijing bound Robert Heffernan got Day 2 of the Woodie’s DIY senior championships off to the best possible start when he broke his own Irish record for the 10,000m walk set in 2002. Obviously benefiting from the massive support from the enthusiastic crowd he thoroughly enjoyed himself as he sprinted clear of the field from the gun to win impressively.
1. Heffernan 32:27.57 (old record 38:47.66); 2. Jamie Costin 40:13.87; 3. David Kidd 44:17.72; 4. Brendan Boyce 44:34.91

Zoe Brown won the women’s pole vault with a best of 3.85m, while Padraig White won the hammer with 56.69m. 2. Pavel Hazler 54.96m; 3.Gerard Kelly 49.12m; 4. Lorcan Carpenter 47.85m; 5. Eamonn Byrne 43.68.

There is a 5k charity run on this Wednesday evening at 8:00pm in Maree (Oranmore). It is in aid of Cystic Fibrosis.I would like to encourage all of our club members to take part if at all possible (especially...

The 2008 Woodie’s DIY senior championships have started in Morton Stadium - Update 4.
Weather conditions are reasonable, with strong sunshine along with showers and winds the order of the day so far.

Day 1 Results (Unformatted)

update 16.50
The men’s 10,000m marked the return to track running by Martin Fagan, who is also Beijing bound, after injury disrupted his training and racing earlier this year. Mark Kenneally set the pace for a good part of the race, with Fagan on his shoulder throughout. This pair travelled well for the whole race until Fagan moved away in the last mile to win impressively in 29:16.53; 2. Mark Kenneally 29:28.56; 3. Joe McAllister 30:22.21; 4. Vincent Mulvey 30:22.21; 5. Michael Clohissey 30:40.11.

Rosemary Daniels won the high jump with a best of 1.75m from Pamela Hughes 1.70m; Grainne Moggan and Claire Wilkinson tied for third with 1.65m and 5th was Jenny Reilly with 1.60m.

Eileen O’Keeffe made it a winning double with victory in the discus with a best of 46.44; 2. Deirdre Murphy 39.42; 3. Sarah Bradfield 35.09m; 4. Phlippa Conway 32.58m; 5. Rachel Maguire 31.45.

The wind came up for the two 200m races with Darragh Graham winning the men’s race in 21.38 from David Hynes 21.47; Derek Duff 21.53; Jason Smyth 21.73; 5. Christopher Russell 22.07.

Kelly Proper has dominated women’s sprinting in Ireland this year and easily won the 200m in 23.69, with Claire Brady stopping a Ferrybank 1-2 with second place in 24.05 and junior Niamh Whelan third in 24.06; 4. Mairead Murphy 25.16; 5. Amber McGillicuddy 26.17.

Rory Chesser took off like the proverbial scalded cat in the steeplechase and built up a considerable lead. Brian Farrell closed in the closing stages and a terrific race ensued in the last 100m as he came up on the shoulder of Chesser. Chesser had to dig deep to stay ahead and crossed the line just 0.07 seconds ahead to crown a great for the Clare man. 1. Chesser 9:04.81; 2. Farrell 9:04.88; 3. Mark Kirwan 9:12.04; 4. Emmet Dunleavy 9:15.70; 5. Patrick Davoren 9:23.19.

Update 15:10
Fionnualla Britton was the next Beijing bound athlete into action and like the others before her she also put in a superb front running display to win comfortably in 9:51.93. 2nd Stephanie O’Reilly 10:19.35; 3. Elizabeth Egan 11:38.50.

Sean Breathnach led all the way to win the shot putt with a best of 15.74m, well clear of junior Colin Quirke who was second with 14.06m

1. Sean Breathnach 15.74m; 2. Colin Quirke 14.06m; 3. John Farrelly 12.48m; 4. Alan O’Connor 12.33m; 5. Joe Kelly 11.07m

The women’s triple jump went to Mary McLoone with a best of 11.71m - 2. Mary Devlin 11.37m; 3. Hannah todd 11.24; 4.Linzi Herron 10.86m; 5. Jenny Reilly 10.77m

Update 14:10
Olive Loughnane, another of out Beijing bound athletes, got the track events under way with the second impressive win of the day. Competing in the 5,000m walk she clocked 21:07.28, a massive six seconds faster than she has walked before, and a great indicator that she is the form of her life as she heads to the Olympics.

1. Olive Loughnane 21:07.28; 2. Laura Reynolds 25:14.90; 3. Donna Carolan 25:47.18; 4. Rachel Flynn 29:50.77; Georgina Tuohy DNF

Update 12:45
The first event of the day saw another world class display of throwing by Olympics bound Eileen O’Keeffe. Her first throw was 70.14m, super throwing by her.

More was to follow when she threw 72.02m, 72.75m, and then 72.17m – truly world class throwing as she added her eight Irish title. The big disappointment was the small crowd at Santry to witness such an amazing exhibition of throwing.

1. Eileen O’Keeffe 72.75m; 2. Rachel Akers 54.80m; 3. Aoife Hickey 50.39m; 4. Katie O’Shea 45.77m; 5. Maggi Donnelly 44.46m; 6. Mary Sutherland 43.87m

Alistair Cragg in good form in Paris

After two second place finishes in the 1,500m and 3,000m at Cork City sports last Saturday Alistair Cragg was back in action again tonight in Paris. A very competitive race saw him finish a close fourth in the 3,000m in 7:38.21.

In Loughborough last night Ian McDonald clocked 13.87 and Peter Coghlan 13.90 in their respective 110m hurdles races. Unfortunately the wind was just over the legal limit.

Meeting Gaz de France Paris Saint-Denis
3,000m
1 Edwin Cheruiyot Soi KEN 7:36.71
2 Joseph Ebuya KEN 7:36.84
3 Abraham Chebii KEN 7:37.51
4 Alistair Ian Cragg IRL 7:38.21
5 Mark Kosgei Kiptoo KEN 7:38.98
6 Boniface Kiprotich Songok KEN 7:39.64

Loughborough EAP Meeting

Mens 100m Heat 2 Wind = +2.5 m/s
7 Dan KAVANAGH IRELAND 11.14

Mens 200m Race 2 Wind = +2.9 m/s
4 Paul BRIZZEL IRELAND 21.41

Mens 110m Hurdles Heat 1 Wind = +0.9 m/s
4 Ian MCDONALD IRELAND 14.04

Mens 110m Hurdles Heat 2 Wind = +0.4 m/s
3 Peter COGHLAN IRELAND 14.10

Mens 110m Hurdles FINAL A Wind = +2.2 m/s
6 Ian MCDONALD IRELAND 13.87

Mens 110m Hurdles FINAL B Wind = +2.2 m/s
2 Peter COGHLAN IRELAND 13.90

Womens 100m Heat 1 Wind = +3.2 m/s
6 Louise KIERNAN IRELAND 11.82

Womens 100m FINAL B Wind = +0.9 m/s
2 Louise KIERNAN IRELAND 11.88

TRAFFORD AC - GRAND PRIX MEETING TUES 15-Jul
1 Oliver Blake U23 M Oswestry Olympians AC 01:51.45
2 Michael Dyer SEN M North Down Ac 01:51.64
3 Myles Barrett U23 M Staffs Moorlands AC 01:51.71
4 Gareth Hill SEN M Ballymena & Antrim AC 01:52.31

With only weeks to go before the Olympic Games in Beijing, Galway’s athletic stars of the future received a funding boost this week.

The hugely successful “Galway 5km Series” which was held over six weeks in May and June of this year generated a cash surplus of Euro 4133.40 and a cheque for this amount was presented by the series organisers to representatives of the Galway County Board of the AAI on Thursday at the university athletics track in Dangan. The County Board will use this funding to support and promote the sport of athletics at underage level.

One of the series organiser James Lundon said, “This year’s series of road races was a great success and to think that we can help to encourage some youngsters to get involved with athletics make it even better”.

Present in Dangan to accept the cheque on behalf of the County Board were PJ Coyle (Secretary) of Galway City Harriers, Brendan Monaghan (Chair) of Tuam AC and AAI Development Officer for the West of Ireland Paul McNamara.

Brendan Monaghan said, “The County Board really appreciate this generous contribution by the senior runners who took part in the series of road races and will invest the cash wisely in various projects which will undoubtedly benefit talented young athletes all over County Galway.”

Photograph shows members of Galway Co. Board and representatives of Galways athletic clubs receiving a cheque for €4133.40 from organisers of the Galway 5k Series.

Sean Breathnach produced the longest throw of the year by an Irish shot putter on day 3 of the Galway T&F Series which took place last night, Thursday July 17th, in perfect weather conditions in Dangan. Although dark clouds threatened rain, it never came, and there was a rare windless evening on the track.

Breathnach has been in superb form this season and already leads the Irish rankings for 2008 but his best effort last night of 16.01 was a full 59 cm's better than this previous best this season. In fact it's close to ten years since Sean last threw over 16 metres. With the National Senior T&F Championships this Sunday hopes are high that Sean can lift the national title. Mary Barrett was also in superb form and threw 10.00, her longest effort in quite some time to take county masters gold ahead of Claire McNamara who took the senior title.

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Another very successful evening's action at the Dangan last night! The results are over on the athenry website but if you like surprises you can just watch the races here. Viewing tip: if you have a slow internet...

Everything in place for another great weekend of top class competition

Timetable

Athletics

By Frank Greally

Three of Ireland’s top athletes were in Santry yesterday for the launch of the 2008 Woodie’s DIY Senior Track & Field Championships due take place at the Morton Satdium on Saturday and Sunday next.

Olympic race walker Olive Loughnane was joined by Olympic 800 metres hopeful, David Campbell and Ireland’s newest 400 metres sensation young Brian Gregan for the launch of this year’s championships which should also serve as a send off for the Irish Track & Field Team for Beijing.

Just back from a training stint at Font Romeau in the French Pyrenees, Olympic 20km race walker Olive Loughnane yesterday appeared quietly optimistic about her chances of a high placing in her specialist event in Beijing. Now 32, and a mother of one, Loughnane has been logging an average of 120 kilometres a week in training for Beijing. The Galway woman recently received a major morale boost when finishing 6th in the World Cup for Race Walking in Russia in a new personal best time of 89 minutes and 17 seconds.

“I was very pleased with my World Cup performance and I know now that I am in really good shape going into Beijing,” Loughnane said. Eight years ago Loughnane finished 35th in the Sydney Olympics and in Athens four years ago she was forced to drop out of her event. Now Loughnane has ambitions of making a top ten placing in Beijing. “I have worked very hard to get this far and I am going to give the Olympics my very best shot,” she said.

David Campbell is one athlete who still harbours Olympic ambitions and the Maynooth runner is prepared to make one final push at achieving the difficult 800 metres qualifying standard of 1.46.00 at this weekends Woodie’s DIY National Championships. Campbell is not long back from a leg injury that forced him to abandon training for a full ten weeks, but he is still hopeful that he can make a big impression in Santry. “I was training down in Australia when I suffered the stress fracture to my left leg and the MRI scan I got did not identify the problem,” Campbell said. “I ran my first sub four minute mile in New Zealand not realising the injury was so severe and I was then forced to rest for ten weeks up to the end of April.”

Campbell has a personal best time of 1.46.05 for 800m and he intends to attempt another double at 800m and 1500m at the weekend. Last year Campbell caused a stir in Santry when he completed the difficult double victories over 800m and 1500m and he is determined to defend his national titles. “I know that it would take great weather, perfect conditions and some fast runners for me to make a serious attempt at the 800m Olympic standard,” Campbell said. “However, I am not afraid to give it my very best on the day and take my chances.”

Young Brian Gregan of Tallaght A.C has good reason to be confident going into this weekend. The Tallaght runner will compete in his specialist 400 metres event where he has already achieved considerable success this season.

Coached by John Shields, eighteen year old Gregan has already shown his vast talent this season- especially in the recent meeting in Mannheim in Germany where he set an Irish 400m junior record of 46.70 seconds. He bettered that time at the World Junior Track & Field Championships in Poland with 46.60, but unfortunately was disqualified in this event for a lane infringement.

“This has been a dream season,” Gregan said. “I am looking forward now to the Woodie’s DIY National Championships at the weekend and I hope to make it to the 400m final there. Once I make it to the final, anything can happen.”

Gregan now hopes to attend DCU in the Autumn where he will study Sports Science. The powerfully built Tallaght native is quick to pay tribute to his coach John Shields who helped him persevere at his sport during a year long period of injury. “I have total trust in John Shields and he has been of immense help to me,” Gregan said.

Former athlete, Ray Colman, Chief Executive of Woodie’s DIY was in Santry to greet the athletes and announce the Woodie’s DIY continuing sponsorship for the National Championships. “This is our sixth year to support the most important meeting on the Irish athletics calendar,” Colman said. “Woodies DIY is committed to supporting Irish athletic talent and we are now sponsoring all Senior and Junior Athletics Ireland Championsips.”

Athletics Ireland CEO Mary Coghlan also welcomed the Woodie’s DIY sponsorship. “We are delighted to have this continuing sponsorship support for the National Track & Field Championships from Woodie’s DIY,” Coghlan said. “This weekend will give the public an opportunity to see some household names of Irish athletics in action at Santry. It will also be a great chance for us all to say well done to all of our athletes who have achieved the difficult Olympic standards.”

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Mid-week PB’s for Deirdre Byrne and Una English

With the final date for qualifying for Beijing approaching fast (July 21st), several athletes were in action last night.

Deirdre Byrne again reduced her 1,500m best with a sixth place finish in Lucerne, while Una English reduced her 3,000m steeplechase best when she finished fourth in a closely fought race.

Lucerne Switzerland
400m
5 McKee Paul 77 — IRL 46.54

800m
5 Chamney Thomas 84 — IRL 1:47.54

1,500m
6 Byrne Deirdre 81 — IRL 4:09.43

400m Hurdles
1 Michelle Carey 81 — IRL 56.59

3,000m Steeplechase
1 Mitchell Victoria 82 — AUS 9:49.24
2 Hayakari Minori 0 — JPN 9:49.37
3 Brown Tina 76 — GBR 9:51.25
4 English Una 70 — IRL 9:51.54
5 Hyman Mardrea 72 — JAM 9:53.24
6 Olivares Elodie 0 — FRA 9:54.36
7 Britton Fionnuala 84 — IRL 9:54.47
8 Ankier Jo 82 — GBR 9:59.23
12 Reilly Stephanie 70 — IRL 10:20.60

Liege Belgium
5,000m
10 Maria McCambridge IRL 16:02.63

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Thirty five Irish athletes are entered to compete in this year's European Masters or Veterans track and field championships in Slovenia. The 10k will kick off the games on Thursday 24th July and the events will continue right through until Sunday 3rd August with the marathon and relays.

Martin McEvilly, GCH, a previous gold medal winner at the World championships in the M55 Steeplechase, is entered for the 5k, 10k, and the Steeplechase. Having just in the last two weeks celebrated his 60th birthday, Martin is hopefully poised to add to his medal collection.

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