Qualification standards achieved by Pollock Reynolds Kelly and Lecky

06 February 2017

Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon, Japan

Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders / Andy Hobdell) was the first NI Athlete to exceed a consideration standard for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games when finishing 18th in the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon in Japan. The Rio Olympian also beat the London World Championships mark and set a fantastic personal best of 2:15.30.

AAI Games, Abbotstown

Ben Reynolds (North Down AC / Tom Reynolds) came back from a first round defeat by Gerrard O’Donnell (7.88 to 7.90) in style to win round 2 in 7.77 to post a qualifying time for the next month’s European Indoor Championships.

Following on from her win in Glasgow last week, Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley / Niall Wilkinson) went 2cm higher, winning the high jump in 1.80m before having three good attempts at 1.83m. This means she has now exceeded the Commonwealth Youth Games Consideration Standard of 1.78m.

There was an exciting battle between Emma Mitchell (Queens / Eamon Christie) and Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle AC / Richard Rodgers) in the Women’s 1500m. Mitchell kept tight to the pacemaker and then led until 1100m when O’Flaherty took the lead for the last two laps. It was still a close finish with O’Flaherty taking the win 4:16.04 to 4:17.42. Both Athletes will contest the 3000m at the UK Championships in Sheffield next week.

Following his bad luck with the starting blocks in Glasgow last week, Dean Adams (Ballymena & Antrim / Alan Kennedy) recorded two dominant victories and his fastest time in four years with 6.91 and 6.89. Jonathan Browning (Ballymena & Antrim / Melanie Browning) was 0.10 behind in both rounds with 7.01 and 6.99 which is a positive start to his season.

John Kelly (Finn Valley / John Kelly Snr) set a huge personal best in the shot, missing the Euro U23 A Standard by just 1cm with 17.49m (achieved B standard). He now has Iain McMullan’s 2002 NI senior record of  17.61m well within his sights. His brother James Kelly (Finn Valley / John Kelly Snr) putted the 5kg shot 16.08m. Also on the field, Adam McMullen (Crusaders / Alan Kennedy) was slightly down on his seasons best set in Jordanstown last month but took victory in 7.48m

European 1500m Medalist Ciara Mageean front ran her first 800m of the season and took victory in 2.06.02 from Erin McIlveen (City of Lisburn / Brian Whittle) in 2.07.15.

Pole Vaulter Ellie McCartney (City of Lisburn AC / Jim Alexander) won the women’s event with 3.45m, equalling her seasons best, Claire Wilkinson (Ballymena & Antrim / Jim Alexander) with 3.25m. Peter Glass (Jim Alexander & Phill Snoddy) was 2nd in the men’s event with a seasons best of 4.55m.

Jason Harvey (Crusaders / Nick Dakin) recovered from a first lap in lane 2 to finish second in heat 1 of the 400m in 49.16 and Craig Newell (Ballymena & Antrim / Ian Neely) won heat 2 of the 400m in 49.87.