Tipperary County Athletics News

4 National Titles for Tipperary Athletes

Day 1 & 2 of the Woody’s DIY AAI Juvenile Indoor Championships took place last weekend in Nenagh Indoor Stadium. Tipperary athletes fared well over the weekend winning 11 national medals between them (4 gold, 5 silver & 2 bronze). Congratulations & well done to all our athletes on such fine performances.

On Day 1 both Claire Horgan, Clonmel A.C. & Shane Prout, Coolquill A.C. captured national gold in their chosen events with Claire winning the U/16 1500m in a time of 5.01.80mins & Shane winning the U/19 Triple Jump well ahead of the competition on 13.28m. Jason Mullins, Clonmel A.C. & Aoife Bartley, Carrick-On-Suir A.C. also won national silver with Jason throwing 11.91m in the U/18 Shot Putt & Aoife jumping 10.91 in the U/19 Triple Jump. Eimear Lynch, Newport A.C also competed well to win national bronze in the U/19 400m in a time of 62.17sec (she was also 5^th in 60m).

On Day 2 both Darren Prout, Coolquill A.C. & Deirbhile Ryan, Nenagh Olympic A.C. won national gold with Darren winning the U/14 60mH in a time of 9.26secs & Deirbhile the U/14 Shot with a throw of 11.29m (Deirbhile was also 6^th in the Long Jump & 4^th in the High Jump). Double silver national medals were won by Michael Quilligan, Nenagh Olympic A.C. in both the U/14 60m H (9.37sec) & the Long Jump (5.11m) & he was also 5^th in 60m. Seamus Hogan, Nenagh Olympic A.C also won silver in the U/15 1500m in a time of 4.19.08mins. Chloe Fahy & Damon Gregory, both Nenagh Olympic A.C. won bronze in their events with Chloe finishing 3^rd in the U/18 60mH in a time of 9.37secs (she was also 5^th in the U/18 60m) & Damon jumping 4.80m in the U/14 Long Jump to claim bronze (he was also 5^th in U/14 High Jump). Other athletes who performed well but who were outside the medals were:- Shauna Twomey, Carrick-On-Suir A.C. (4^th in U/12 High Jump), Leah Farnan, Nenagh Olympic (U/13 High Jump), Jade Fahy, Nenagh Olympic A.C. (4th in U/13 Shot Putt), Phoebe Murphy, Clonmel A.C. (4^th in U/13 60m), Ciardha Maher, Nenagh Olympic A.C. (9^th in U/13 Long Jump & High Jump), Eimear Ryan, St. Flannans (7^th in U/14 Shot), Rachel Hodgins, Nenagh Olympic A.C. (10^th in U/14 Shot), Amy Murphy Crowe, Tipperary Town A.C. (5^th in U/16 Long Jump), Colleen Kennedy, Carrick–On-Suir A.C. (7^th in U/17 60mH), Cliona Doyle, Clonmel A.C. (4^th in U/18 1500m), Hannah Trehy, Carrick-On-Suir (4^th in U/19 400m), Christine Nevin, Nenagh Olympic A.C. (8^th in U/19 60m), Tom Hennessy, Nenagh Olympic A.C. (7^th in U/16 1500m), Patrick Lynch, Newport A.C. (6^th in U/17 60m), Alan Ryan, Tipperary Town A.C. (7^th in U/18 1500m), & John Crowe, Tipperary Town A.C. (6^th in Boys U/19 400m).

Congratulations to Keith Smith, Carrick-On-Suir A.C. who was the 2009 Tipperary Star Award Winner at the Tipperary Crystal Star Awards held in the Arklow Bay Hotel on Saturday 20^th March. The annual Star Awards are given to leading young Irish athletes who are recognised for their achievements throughout 2009. Keith has had an outstanding year winning 2 silver medals in the U/19 60mH & Long Jump at the National Indoor Championships & 3 gold & 1 bronze at the National Outdoor Championships in the U/19 High Jump, Long Jump, 110mH & Javelin. In 2009 he has also won numerous medals at Munster & County level in the 60mH, 110mH, Long Jump, High Jump & Javelin. We wish him every success in 2010.

Aisling Hoey