After a busy few weeks on the athletics calendar, Shercock AC athletes have been
getting recognition on a National stage.
Tailteann Games
Congratulations to Grace Gormley who was selected to represent Ulster at the
Tailteann Games in Tullamore at the end of June. The Tailteann Games is an
interprovincial competition, and the athletes are selected based on their performances
in the Intermediate category of the Ulster and All Ireland schools’ competitions. Grace
was selected to compete in the Girls Hammer Throw affording her another opportunity
to develop her hammer throwing skills whilst competing at national level.
All Ireland Track & Field Championships
Thomas Williams gave another outstanding display of hammer throwing at the Irish Life
Health National Juvenile T&F Championships in Tullamore. Thomas threw a
phenomenal 70.21m in the U15 Boys hammer throw to take the gold and smashed the
previous record of 58.30m in the process.
Congratulations to Charlee Williams on winning her first national medal – Charlee took
the gold in the U14 girls hammer with a best throw of 34:31m.
Eadaoin Lynch was also in top form for this competition. Eadaoin competed in the Girls
U15 100m winning her heat in a great time of 12.9s and finishing 5th in the final. The
next day, Eadaoin was in action again, this time in the 200m and she qualified from her
heat with the third fastest time going into the final. Eadaoin made no mistakes this time,
powering out of the blocks and getting off to a fantastic start. She continued her superb
run up the home straight to take the silver medal in 25.68s. This was also a new
women’s club record for the 200m. Eadaoin also competed in the U15 Long jump and
finished in 9th place.
Well done to our U13 girls 4x100m relay team comprising of Sarah Kate Liggan, Erelle
O’Sullivan, Aoife Rogers and Aoife Byrne. The girls ran superbly, finishing 4th in the
fastest heat, with a super time of 56.89 secs and qualifying for the final. Once again, in
a very competitive final, the girls put in a sterling performance finishing in 8th position
with just over 2 seconds separating all 8 teams.
Erelle O’ Sullivan also competed in the Girls U13 80m and Long jump. Despite a good
run in the 80m, Erelle didn’t progress to the final. However, in the long-jump, she
finished in 5th position with a best jump of 4.48m and a new PB in the process.
Abby Smith, also competing in her first national track championship, finished strong in
the first heat of the U14 girls 800m to finish 4th in 2.28.40 securing her a place in the
final. Again, Abby put in a strong performance in the final to finish 8th in a time of
2.29.06.
Grace Gormley continues her improvement in the hammer and finished 6th in the U17
Girls, with a throw of 30.15m. Grace also competed in the U17 Girls discus and finished
in 4th place with a best throw of 25.66m. Although Grace finished just outside the
medals, she will be pleased with her continued improvement and another new PB.
Ellie Rose Ward had a busy day competing in both the Girls U18 HJ and 400m hurdles,
finishing 6th in the high jump and 7th in the hurdles in a time of 1.13 which was also a
new PB.
Aoibheann Mulligan competed in the Girls U17 100m and while she didn’t qualify for the
final she finished in 13.22s, a new PB. Aoibheann was on the track again the next day
in the 20Om alongside her club mate Alanna Harding. Having competed in the heats,
they were both just outside the qualifying times for the final, finishing in 9th and 10th
place respectively.
Abby Smith put in a strong, determined run in the Girls U14 1500m, finishing in 8th
position in 4.58.52. Abby can be proud of her performance and her new PB as she
sliced 11 secs off her Ulster Championship time.
Josh McEnaney wasn’t daunted by his first experience of competing at national level
when he put in a strong performance in the Boys U17 300m hurdles. This is a new
event for Josh and while he didn’t qualify for the final, he came away with a massive
new PB finishing in 46.36s.
Lily Mc Elroy was competing for her first time at national level when she competed in
both the Girls U15 250m hurdles and shot putt and will have gained confidence from her
experience.
National Junior Championships
The National Junior Championships were held in Tullamore on Sunday 17 th July.
Aoibheann Mulligan and Alanna Harding stepped up in age group to compete in the
200m. Aoibheann was first up in heat 1 where she finished 4th in 27.14s which was
equal to her PB. Alanna was in heat 3 where she finished 5th in 27.28s. Both
Aoibheann and Alanna have another 3 years in this age group and gained valuable
experience running against the best junior sprinters in the country.
Sean Harding was also competing in the 200m. Sean comfortably got through his heat
in second place in 22.10s. In the final, coming off the bend, Sean was in a group of
athletes competing for the medals. However, with about 20m to the line, Sean’s
hamstring gave way and unfortunately, that ended his medal hopes.
National Juvenile ‘B’ Championships
Mark Kearns and Freya Gormley competed in the ‘B’ Championships. Mark had a super
run in the Boys U15 800m to take the gold medal in a time of 2.11.68 and a new PB.
Freya also made the podium when she took the bronze medal in the Girls U14 Shot
putt.
