Galway's senior athletes competed strongly at the National Track & Field League Final in a wet Tullamore yesterday. Galway men finished third in Divison One. They were only 6 points off the top spot - a narrow margin given the league's scoring system. The final Men's Divison One team placings were:

West Waterford AC 110
St. Abbans AC 110
Galway 104
Finn Valley AC 89
City of Derry 79
Ballymena & Antrim AC 73
Tir Chonaill AC 68
City of Lisburn 62

Galway travelled to Tullamore with a strong men's team with most of the county's top athletes available. However they had to do without Team Captain Paul Mc Namara who had delivered top points in both the 3000m SteepleChase and the 5000m in the qualifiers. Paul who is currently enjoying his honeymoon was ably represented by William Finnegan, Craughwell, as Men's Team Manager for the final.

Tullamore's track was surely as wet as it has ever been with constant downpours all day, making performances difficult for all athletes and officials. So the day was all about placings and not times and distances. Our picture shows the flooded long jump pit in the afternoon.

Among Galway's top scorers were Ciaran O'Cathain who completed a sprint double - winning both the 100m and 200m. Christopher McDermott, NUIG, won the 110m Hurdles and also finshed 4th in the 400m. William Finnegan was 2nd in the Long Jump and 3rd in the Long Jump. Sean Breathnach, GCH, won the Shot Putt and claimed silver in the 56lb Distance. National Champion Mindukas Kurcenkovas, GCH, again won the javelin competition.

The Galway women's team who also qualified for the final, finished 5th on the day. The Women's Division One team results are:
Borrisokane AC 106
Meath 102
North Down 97
Tullamore Harriers AC 86
Galway 80
City of Derry 69
Clonliffe Harriers AC 65
Ballymena & Antrim AC 50

The Galway women's team suffered somewhat due to the limited availability of athletes due to injury and illness. Again, as in the qualifiers, those who did travel showed great character and all-round ability in doubling up for many unlikely event combinations in quick succession. Ann Loughnane, Craughwell, won top honours in the 1500m Walk. Women's Team Manager Mary Barret, Loughrea, also won top honours in the Discus as well as 4th in the Shot. Other top scorers included Claire McNamara, Athenry, who was 2nd in the High Jump and also gained points in the Long Jump. Julie Ann Harrington, GCH, was 3rd in the 400m and also gained points in the 200m. Orla NiMuircheartaigh, also GCH, was 3rd in the 3000m.

This is the first time that a Co. Galway team has been represented in the National League and it has been an undoubted success in increasing the profile and strength of Track & Field in the county. All the athletes enjoyed the competition and the team format of the event and it afforded many with the chance to improve on their PBs. With the depth of up and coming Juvenile talent in the county and also with many Seniors returning to Track & Field, it is hoped that next year will be even more successful on the track and on the field.