Kelly Proper of Ferrybank A.C. was one of the stars of the weekend, recording a fine long jump and 200 metres double and also finishing fourth in the 100metres
On Saturday and Sunday last, the All Ireland Senior Track and Field Championships were held at Morton Stadium, Santry. Kelly Proper of Ferrybank A.C. was one of the stars of the weekend, recording a fine long jump and 200 metres double and also finishing fourth in the 100metres. On Saturday, she had a personal best time of 23.69 to win the 200 metres and her clubmate Niamh Whelan was third behind her in 24.06.
On Sunday in her favourite event, the long jump, Kelly set a new Irish U-23 record with a brilliant jump of 6.42 metres, not far off the Irish Senior record of 6.48 metres, and her best ever jump with no wind advantage. Her best effort with a following wind is 6.46.
Other good results
Jamie Costin of West Waterford A.C. also had a very good race in the 10km walk to finish second in a very respectable time of 40 mins, 13.87 secs. The winner, Robert Heffernan of Togher, Cork, set a new national record of 38 mins, 27.57 secs. Both are now Olympics-bound; Costin in the 50km walk and Heffernan in the 20km.
Mairead Murphy, now with UCD, was another Waterford athlete to set a personal best when she finished second to Renvol O’Rourke in the 100 metres hurdles. Mairead clocked a time of 13.89 seconds. Jessie Barr was second in the 300 metre hurdles in 59.74 and Kalyn Sheehan was third in 59.94. Other Ferrybank A.C. athletes to reach finals were Christopher Russell (100 and 200 metres) and Billy Ryan (400 metres). Thomas Houlihan of West Waterford A.C. was fifth in the pole vault and Ravis Zakis was 8th in the 5000 metres.
1978 champion remembered
As is now customary every weekend of the National Senior Championships, the champions of thirty years prior are remembered, presented to the crowd and given a special medallion. Last week, three Waterford champions of 1978 were among the group. These were Patricia Walsh (discus), John Treacy (5000 metres) and Jim Sheehan (walk).
Shane and Fiona win
Four athletes from Waterford schools competed for Ireland at the Schools International Meeting at Bedford on Saturday last and two had wins in their respective events. Shane Quinn of De La Salle won the 1500 metres and was again very impressive indeed. The other winner was Fiona Denney of the Mercy Convent in the 2000 metres walk. She too was excellent in her favourite event. Zoe Scanlon of Ard Scoil na nDeise was fifth in the discus and Thomas Houlihan of St. Augustine’s came sixth in the pole vault.
Piltown 10km
On Friday last, 158 people competed in the Piltown 10km Road Race. Sergei Tereha of Clonliffe Harriers was the overall winner in a time of 30 mins, 53 secs with Seamus Mullaney of Thurles Crokes second in 32.56 and Danny Smith of Ballynonty third in 34.13. Carina Walsh won the ladies section in 39.26 with Diane Behan in second in 40.23 and Eibhlin nicAodha third in 41.41, all of West Waterford A.C.
First Men
Over 40 – Micheal O’Ceallaigh, Clonmel; Over 50 – Larry Lacey, St. Joseph’s; Over 55 – Martin Alexander, Coulguill; Over 65 – Sean Foley.
First Ladies
Over 35 – Diane Behan; Over 40 – Ann Durford; Over 45 – Eibhlin nicAodha.
Morton Memorial Meeting
This Friday 25th July, the annual Morton Memorial Invitation Meeting will take place in Santry Stadium, Dublin at 6.30pm.
A number of athletes from Waterford will be participating.
National Juvenile Relays
On Saturday next, 26th July, the All Ireland Juvenile Club Relays will take place in Tullamore with a 10a.m. start.
League Final
On Sunday in Tullamore, the National Senior League Finals for men and women will begin at 11a.m. Also on Sunday, a 10 mile road race will take place in Ballynonty, Co. Tipperary at 1p.m.
The Ballymacarbry 5 miles, another race in the Ger Wyley Sports Series will be held on Friday 1st August.
Woodstown 5 miles
On Saturday evening, 23rd August, the second annual Alan Everett “Woodpecker” 5 mile road race will be held in Woodstown, Co. Waterford.
It will begin at 5.15p.m. and all proceeds go to the Alzheimer Society. Registration will be close to the start at “The Leap”, Woodstown, where there will also be changing facilities. Sponsors are Blue Wall, Deise Decoration and Smooth Running and the event is organised by Waterford Road Runners.
Munster Express/Caulfield’s SuperValu 10km
On Sunday 14th September, the above event will be a major attraction. It will begin at the RSC at 12 noon and will also finish there. It will be run over the usual course.
