A track record in the women’s 5000m for Irish international athlete Shona Heaslip of An Riocht AC was just one of the highlights of the inaugural DSD Games held in brilliant sunshine at the Dublin’s club’s new campus on Tibradden Lane in the foothills of the Dublin mountains on Sunday (June 18)
Although Heaslip had hoped to break 16 minutes in the race, she was pleased with her time of 16 mins 7.84 secs, which was close to her previous best of 15:50.38 dating back to 2018.
Only a fortnight ago, Heaslip was part of the Irish team at the European Cup 10,000m in Pacé, France where she ran a time of 33:26.96 – just three seconds off her best.
“I haven’t raced much on the track for the past few years and it’s difficult finding 5000m and 10,000m races so it’s great to have had this one,” she said. Next up for the Kerrywoman are races over both 5000m and 10,000m at the Irish Championships.
In the sprints, Katie Bergin of Moyne AC in Tipperary won both the 100m and 200m in times of 12.0 secs and 24.30 secs respectively. Colin Doyle of Leevale also managed the double, winning the fastest of six men’s 100m races in 10.63 secs and clocking 21.18 secs for victory in the fastest 200m.
In the 400m, David Ryan of Moycarky Coolcroo AC near Thurles in Co Tipperary proved fastest across four heats with a time of 48.08 secs. Running a personal best 54.74 secs to win the women’s 400m was Molly Houirhan of host club Dundrum South Dublin.
A chase for the line in the men’s 800m saw Dean Cronin of Leevale AC taking the victory in a time of 1:53.22. Winning the women’s 800m in 2:12.65 was Lucy Holmes of West Waterford AC.
Making a return to racing the the men’s 110m hurdles was Matthew Behan of Crusaders AC who had a comfortable win in 14.40 secs.
In the field, Euan Caniffe of Boyne AC in Co Louth won the men’s javelin with a throw of 44.20m. Best of the women was Ailbhe Gordon of Greystones AC with a 41.84 m effort. Both were track records.
The DSD Games was held in partnership with DLR County Council and a number of smaller sponsors.
Full results at https://www.dsdac.com/games. Images at https://www.flickr.com/photos/lindie/albums/72177720309144982 or on request to Lindie Naughton lindie.naughton@gmail.com
