A strong team of G.C.H. athletes travelled to the National Juvenile Championships in Tullamore at the weekend with their coaches and parents.

The highlight for G.C.H. was Rachel Shaw's win in the U16 Girls 800m in a time of 2:16.7. Rachel has just been selected for the Irish School's Home International Team to compete in Wales next weekend. Joining her will be three other Galway athletes - Rebecca Nolan from Oranmore in the 300m Hurdles, Cathriona Farrell from Athenry in the High Jump, and Eanna O'Cathain from An Ceathru Rua, in the Shot Putt.

G.C.H.'s second gold medal was won by Simon Callaghan in the U15 Boys 80m Hurdles. G.C.H was particularly strong in the hurdles events with many athletes competing. In the U17 Girls 300m Hurdles Irene Gorman was 3rd in 48:89. Julie Ann Harrington was 2nd in the U19 Girls 400m Hurdles. Ciara Meagher finished just outside the medals in 4th in the U15 Girls 250m Hurdles, with clubmate Amy Rohan close behind. Simon Callaghan was 5th in the U15 Boys 250m Hurdles.

There were medals and notable performances in other events also. Sarah Connolly was 2nd in the U19 Girls 800m, just 0.4 seconds ahead of clubmate Julie Ann Harrington in 3rd. Colm O'Muircheartaigh was 3rd in the U14 Boys Long Jump, while in the U15 event Simon Callaghan was 5th - just 1 cm off 3rd place.

Alan Campbell was 3rd in the U16 Boys High Jump. Evan McGuire was 2nd in the U13 Boys Javelin with a throw of 28:20.

Caoimhe Daniels had a competitive run in the U18 Girls 800m while Aedin Esslemont posted a good time of 12.84 in a competitive U17 Girls 100m.