Mary Peter’s Track in Belfast and Templemore played host to the opening round of the Irish Life Health National League last weekend with club and county teams competing for crucial points that will prove valuable heading into round two.
There were some very impressive performances with International athletes along with rising stars in action across both venues in the Premier Division and Division One.
Kate Doherty of Dundrum South Dublin AC moved to fourth on the Irish All-Time list for the 100m Hurdles when she clocked an impressive time of 13.45s to win the Premier Women’s race in Belfast. The time moved Doherty ahead of Sarah Quinn of St. Coleman’s South Mayo. Both Doherty and Quinn were part of medal winning Irish 4x200m team who claimed silver at last year’s World Relay Championships in Poland.
Lucy McGlynn of Tir Chonaill AC won the Division One 100m Hurdles and 400m races. Her time of 14.52s was a new PB moving her inside the Top 50 on the All-Time list to 43rd. McGlynn had an impressive Indoor season winning silver medals in the 400m at U19 and Junior level. She also won the U19 60m Hurdles and finished second in the Junior Hurdles race. Early indications are that she is building nicely on that form from earlier in the year.
Paul O’Donnell who represented Ireland at the European Cross Country Championships in Abbottstown last December had a successful day for his club Dundrum South Dublin competing in the Premier Division. He won both the 1500m and 5000m races.
Eoin Sheridan of Clonliffe Harriers is also no stranger to representing Ireland. The specialist discus thrower won that competition throwing over 50m and also won the Premier Men’s Shot Put.
In Templemore, Co. Tipperary Irish International sprinter Conor Morey of Leevale AC won the Premier Men’s 100m. Morey clocked a time of 10.96s.
The Cork club also had success in both the Division One Women’s and Premier Men’s Pole Vault competitions with Una Brice and Conor Callinan, two current rising stars of Irish athletics claimed victories. Both set multiple records during the Indoor season and will be looking to achieve similar over the summer months.
Multiple time national champion in the Shot Put, Sean Breathnach of Galway City Harriers won the Premier Men’s competition with a best effort of 15.30m.
Bandon AC were the top Division One Women’s Club in Templemore, with Ratoath leading the way for the same competition in Belfast. Ennis Track and Tir Chonaill were the top Division One Men’s clubs in both venues.
In Templemore, Nenagh Olympic were the top Premier Men’s club, while Galway County topped the Premier Women’s standings.
Clonliffe Harriers and Dundrum South Dublin were the top Premier Men’s and Women’s clubs respectively in Belfast.
It is still all to play for in the league with the Round 2 taking place on Sunday July 31st with venues still to be confirmed.
