Kerryman Article 6/7/09

The second round of the ESB National league took place in both Athlone and Santry on Sunday last with the Kerry teams grouped in Athlone.While both the mens and womens team won their group last time out they were both second overall coming into the event.The aim for the day was to qualify for the final by finishing in the top 8 teams overall.

   Quiet early in the day it became evident that both teams had achieved this so finishing as high up the table  became priority and both teams excelled to finish in first place overall.The mens team scored 117 points for a total of 225 points and the women scored 124 points for a total of 239 points.

   The day got underway with several nine point wins in the throws from James Nagle in the hammer and 56lb weight,Claire Fitzgearld shot and discus,Mary T Moynihan javelin,Katie O Shea hammer and Daniel Clifford Shot.Several other fantastic wins came from Niall and Emma Prendiville in the walks,Ian Crowley pole vault,Ailbhe Courtney triple jump,Sinead O Connor long jump,Conal O Callaghan long jump,Michael Godley triple jump and a double for Eilish Fitzpatrick in the 100m and 200m.The womens 4x100m relay team and the mens 4x400m relay team were also victorious.

   Seven pointer seconds came from team manager Shane Delaney who was called upon to fill in for the discus,Ciara Walshe High jump and 400m hurdles,Mary Fitzgearld 1500m,Cian Foley 200m,Emma Leen 100m hurdles,Ian Crowley pole vault and Colm Lynch in the 400m.

   Third placers included Philipe Barnett javelin,the womens 4x400m relay and Conal O Callaghan in the 100m.Others to perform well were Cian Murphy 1500m,Arthur Fitzgearld 5000m,PJ Galvin Steeplechase,Stewart Nolan 400m hurdles,Dara O Carroll 800m,Karen Curran 3000m and Clarence Kennedy 110m hurdles.

  The final will be held in Tullamore on Saturday August 9^th with both teams carrying the maximum nine points into the final.Both teams have a fantastic chance of winning the competition and gaining promotion to the premier division in their first year.It would be a fantastic achievement for such a young team with many only learning their trade at senior level.The team for the final will be announced after the Kerry senior track and field championships on Friday July 24^th.

Multi Events-The Munster u11-u19 multi events championships were also held in Cork on Sunday.The following are the medallists-

St Brendans-

Orla McCarthy 1^st u19

Luke Evans 1^st u17

Dylan Roche 3^rd u18

Jack Regan Kirwan 3^rd u16

Una Marley 3^rd u16

Tralee Harriers-

Danny Pierce 1^st u15

Emma McCarthy 2^nd u11

Clara Heinrich 2^nd u13

Louise O Connor 2^nd u15

Michael Linnane 3^rd u11

Spa Muckross-

Christine Cooper 2^nd u12

Billy Courtney 2^nd u12

The Kerry Juniors and Masters Track and field championships were held on Wednesday last in excellent conditions on the An Riocht track.A full list of results will be available on the Kerry athletics website during the week.There were some fantastic performances on the night from both young and old alike.In the junior category stand out athletes were Daniel Clifford in the Shot,hammer and discus;Jonathan Foley pole vault,Emma prendiville walk and Marie Flynn hammer all farranfore mainevalley.Tralee harriers had winners in Sinead O Connor long jump and triple jump,Ciara Walshe 400m and high jump and Claire Fitzgearld shot,discus and javelin.Tomas Bradley of An Riocht  was dominant in the 1500m and likewise Conal O Callaghan Spa Muckross in the 100m and long jump.The Overall junior title went to St Brendans AC for the first time with the medallists  for them being Caoimhe Casey 1500m,walk and 400m,PJ Galvin High jump,400m and 1500m,Luke Evans 400m and 1500m,Clarence Kennedy High jump,triple jump,pole vault and long jump and Dylan Roche 100m.

  In the Masters section the evergreen Jim O Shea FFMV looked impressive in the 100m and high jump.Pat canty dominated the 100m and also added medals in the long jump,shot and high jump.His Tralee harriers teammates of Patsy O Connor,Neilus Daly,John Foley and Donal Crowley but to name a few also excelled in their individual events.Ger Ladden FFMV took the 3k title beating Tom Shanahan of Riocht with Colm Rothery taking the 400m sprint in style.On the womens side Sheila O Donoghue of Gneeveguilla was an easy winner of both her sprint and shot with others to impress being her clubmates Margaret O leary and Joan O Sullivan and .The Overall Masters title went to Tralee Harriers AC.