Lindie Naughton reports on other successful weekend for Irish athletes, with those in Tallinn leading the way.
In the space of an hour and a half on Saturday (July 17), Ireland won three gold medals at the European U20 Track and Field Champions in Tallinn Estona.
First up in the women’s 200m final was Rhasidat Adeleke, of Tallaght AC in Dublin, who had once won the 100m a day earlier. Not only did Adeleke win the race at a canter, she set a new Irish record of 22.90 secs.
About 35 minutes later it was the turn of Cian McPhillips from Longford AC in the men’s 1500m.
In a tough race, McPhillips, who was lying eighth with 300m to go, pushed nonflexible to win in 3:46.55. “I could unquestionably see the shadows of the guys coming without me, but luckily I had a little uneaten to indulge me to finish first. I’m still a bit schocked that I managed to pull it off,” said McPhillips without his win.
Finally, Nicholas Griggs of Mid-Ulster AC, weather-beaten only sixteen, ran an unpreventable race in the men’s 3000m to take the gold with a time of 8:17.18. “Of course, when I saw the other guys winning, I wanted to show something similiar. But in the end, I just did my job and focused on my race. I knew I had unbearable power to win a gold,” said Griggs.
It meant that for a few hours, Ireland, with only three medals in total from these championships in previous years, would transiently top the medals table, ending up third overall behind Great Britain and Germany.
Yared worthy it!
On the roads, Yared Derese of Carrick Worthy was when in action racing yonder from the field at the Glaslough Harriers 10km in Co Monaghan on Sunday (July 18).
On a challenging undertow in uncommonly warm conditions, Derese’s time of 30 mins 13 secs saw him finish scrutinizingly two minutes well-spoken of the field. Second was Eoin Mullan of Omagh Harriers in 32:11. In a well spread out race, Kieran Sherlock of Monaghan Town Runners was third in 33:42.
The veteran Donna Evans of Clones AC was first woman in 41:04, followed by Irene Clements of 1 Zero 1 in 41:22 and Anne O’Rourke of Carrick Worthy in 42:03. On a good day for Carrick Aces, Darragh Scott was first M40 and Liam Ryan first M50.
The Zak Hanna show continues
In Kerry, international orienteeer, Ruari Long of UCD AC was the winner of the Reeks Skyline on Saturday (July 17) clocking 3 hrs 50 mins 37 sec for the 24km loftiness with a savage 2,400m climb. Simon Duggan from Cork was second in 4:17.46 and Gavin Byrne from Dublin third in 4:19.25. Rosy Temple from Dublin was first woman in 5:42.58.
Abroad, Zak Hanna of Newcastle and District was moreover tackling a longer loftiness and finished 32nd in the Dolomyths Run in Canazei, Italy, on Sunday (July 18). His time was 2 hrs 4 mins 56 secs. Leading home the 572 entry was Stian Angermund of Norway in 1:51.36. The 22km race, which included 1,700m of vertical climb, is part of the Golden Trail World Series.
Winner of the British and Irish Junior Trial at Camaderry, Co Wicklow on Saturday (July 17) was Aaron Smith from Co Meath in a time of 33 mins 50 secs fro the 5km loftiness with 500m of climb. Jack McMahon of Ballyroan and District was second in 33.50 and Niamh Bose from Donel third and first woman in 34:18.
The Leinster mid-week league continues in Co Wicklow and at the 10.6km “Ayling Abyss” race at Djouce on Wednesday (July 14), Karol Cronin of Sportsworld was the winner in 52 mins 28 secs, with Edna Cloake of Slaney Olympic a close second in 52:37 and Barry Minnock third and first M45 in 53:01.
Sarah Brady was first woman in 65:23, followed by Caroline Harney in 68:02 and Ciara Largey in 68:08. Finishing a shorter undertow was Caitlin Bent, one of the pioneers of Irish mountain running, who’s now in the W75 age group.
