Report from All-Ireland Championships

On Saturday 11th July Niamh Kane, Sean Flanagan and Julie Boyle represented Le Cheile at the National Championships. It was both Sean and Niamh's first track & field National Championships.

Julie was racing first – her 80m hurdles were listed for 10.00am. Julie was is the second heat and her reaction time to the gun was fantastic. Julie hit the hurdles well and finished 5th in her heat in a time of 14.23, unfortunately it was not enough to take her through to the final. Despite being disappointed Julie looked at the positives in her race - her reaction time and it was a seasons best. Well done Julie and thanks for hot –footing it back to fundraise in Tesco.

We all got soaked in a heavy rain shower while waiting for the sprints to start. They got under way after 2.40pm. Niamh was in the 2nd heat of the U12 60m sprint and got off to a good start and she hit maximum speed in a very exciting finish. Niamh's time was 8.77, Niamh was cheered on by her mum Lorraine, the Flanagan gang and myself. Naimh was 3rd in her heat and qualified for the final. Niamh was sent to the stand to try keep warm and dry while she waited on her final.

Next up was Sean Flanagan U13 80m sprint, again Sean was in the second heat, he was held in the rain while the starter got sorted, we could see Sean jumping up and down trying to keep warm before being called to get into his start psoition. Sean ran a terrific heat a time of 11.17 and it was a fight for the line in a blanket finish, thankfully Sean was third the 4th guys time was 11.18 so nothing between them. Sean was very wet but happy with his performance.

At last the finals got under way,Niamh had a terrific race ran a time of 8.63, but had to wait for the result as officials had to look a footage as it was tight at the finish, the girls had to stay in their lane, finally Niamh was award 3rd and a Bronze All-Ireland Medal. Congratulations and well done on your achievement. All-Ireland medals are hard to win.

Next up was Sean, he got off to a flying start and maintained his speed to the end in a race that was very fast and one that a new championship record was set. Unfortunately Sean was out of the medals but he could have not have done any more, he finished in 6th place in a time of 11.10 which was faster than his heat, so well done Sean you kept something in the tank for the final.

On Sunday 12th Sean was back down in Tullamore along with his family, he was competing in the U13 boys long jump, Sean jumped his 3 jumps and made it to the final, Sean had three more jumps and did his best, he was outside of the medals and finish 8th overall with a jump of 4.25m. Well done on your performance Sean, it didn't go your way on the day.

Next round of the All-Irelands are this coming weekend and the club will be represented by Julie Boyle who is on the inter-county relay 4x100 team and Erica Dixon U18 who will compete in the Javelin. Best of luck to you both.