PHILIP GOSS AND GALDYS GANIEL ONEILL WIN SPAR CRAIC 10K

The event saw athletes race from Belfast’s City Hall to the famous Titanic Slipways, were they finished in the shadows of the Titanic Building, having covered a scenic urban course.

Men’s Champion Philip was embroiled in an interested three-way battle with Noel McNally (Beechmount Harriers) and early leader Steven McAlary (Springwell Running Club), for much of the race.  However, in the final stages, the North Belfast Harriers athlete surged clear, breaking the tape in 33:10 for 1st place.  Noel followed seven seconds later in 33:18 (2nd place), before Steven completed the top three in 33:37 (3rd place).

In the ladies race, Northern Ireland and Ireland international Gladys dominated proceedings.  The 2014 Commonwealth Games star raced through 5k in 17:44 and went on to secure top honours in 36:34 (1st place).  Talented QUB AC student Sinead Sweeney impressed with a 37:01 clocking for 2nd place, before recent Carlingford Half Marathon winner Gerrie Short came through in the second half to secure 3rd place in 37:29.

LOCAL TRIO PICK UP GOLD MEDALS AT AAI NATIONAL JUVENILE INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Local trio Dylan McBride (Willowfield Harriers), Riona Doherty (Finn Valley AC) and Adrienne Gallen (Lifford Strabane AC) collected gold medals as athletes from Northern Ireland and Ulster performed well at the Irish Life AAI National Juvenile Indoor Championships this weekend (Sunday 18^th March 2018).

Competing at the impressive AIT Arena in Athlone, local athletes picked up no less than eleven medals.

Dylan McBride edged out fellow NI & Ulster athlete Sean M McGinley (Olympian YC) to win the Under 16 1500m by less than one second.  Dylan clocked 4:19.32 (1^st place), with Sean following in 4:20.29 (2^nd place).

Under 12 competitor Riona Doherty excelled over 60m, leading the way in 8.44 (1^st place).  In the field, Adrienne Gallen won the Under 15 Shot Putt (2.72kg) competition with an 11.48m effort.

City of Lisburn AC’s Katie Monteith impressed in the Under 16 60m with a 7.89 clocking for 2^nd place.  In the same age group and over the same distance, Lagan Valley AC’s Tony Craig ran 7.42 for 2^nd place. 

City of Derry AC’s Finn O’Neill continued his recent good form with a silver medal in the Under 14 High Jump – the young Spartan cleared 1.54m for 2^nd place.  Tara O’Connor (Dundalk St Gerard’s) secured 2^nd place and the associated silver medal in the Under 12 High Jump, after clearing 1.30m.  In the Under 13 High Jump, Tir Chonaill AC’s Eoin Boyle reached 1.40m, which was enough to claim 2^nd place and silver.  Competing in the Under 16 1.5k Walk, Ava Ross of Glaslough Harriers crossed the line in 7:34.49 for 2^nd place.

Lagan Valley AC’s Cormac O’Rourke and City of Derry AC’s Cara Laverty secured bronze medals.  In the Under 18 400m, Cormac ran 50.47 for 3^rd place, while in the Under 16 1500m, Cara recorded 4:53.32 for 3^rd place.

Full results from the event can be found HERE.

Elsewhere this weekend…

In tough, windy conditions, Northern Ireland and Ireland international Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle AC) won the Streets of Portlaoise 5k in 16:10 (1^st place).

Foyle Valley AC’s Keith Shiels claimed a top ten spot in the men’s race, recording 15:28 (8th place).

Commonwealth Games bound athlete Dempsey McGuigan (Finn Valley AC) opened his Hammer season in Texas this weekend, throwing 69.15m for 1^st place at the TCU Invitational at Fort Worth.  His brother, Fellan McGuigan (Finn Valley AC), claimed 2^nd place with a 64.46m effort.