The Ulster & NI Children’s Games and U12/13 Championships saw a fantastic turnout and a flurry of outstanding performances from our young athletes, with both seasoned competitors and first-timers shining brightly on the track and field.
Among the standout stars was Orla Mc Geehin, who delivered a phenomenal performance to become a double Ulster & NI Champion in the U12 girls Shot Put and Turbo Javelin, throwing 7.37m and 22.09m respectively.
In the U9 category, Sophie Deery stole the spotlight as the youngest competitor of the day, sprinting to gold in the 60m with a time of 10.27s and securing silver in the 300m in 57.87s.
Patrick Barron made a strong debut at regional level, claiming silver in the U10 boys Long Jump with a leap of 3.38m. He also teamed up with Alex Zon to earn bronze in the boys Long Jump pairs.
U9 Highlights:
Sophie Deery – 60m: 1st Overall (10.27s), 300m: 2nd Overall (57.87s)
Peadar Ó Ceallaigh – 60m: 3rd in Heat 3 (11.25s, 8th Overall), 300m: 1:04.17 (15th Overall).
U10 Highlights:
Aoibheann Strain – Turbo Javelin: 6.78m (12th), Long Jump: 3.10m (7th)
Alex Zon – 60m: 11.57s (22nd Overall), Long Jump: 2.72m (13th)
Patrick Barron – 60m: 10.80s (13th Overall), Long Jump: 2nd (3.38m)
Boys Long Jump Pairs – Patrick and Alex: 3rd.
U11 Highlights:
Fiadh Dowd – 60m: 11.53s (35th), Long Jump: 2.50m (24th)
Rose Anderson – 60m: 11.65s (33rd), Long Jump: 2.50m (24th)
Grace Carlin – 60m: 10.98s (22nd), Long Jump: 2.83m (19th)
Lilly Deehan – 60m: 10.98s (23rd)
Girls Relay Team – 1:10.69 (7th)
Ronan Carty – 300m: 2:21.52 (22nd), Turbo Javelin: 17.09m (7th).
U12/13 Highlights:
Kate Anderson – 60m: 11.19s (36th), Long Jump: 3.12m (17th)
Shéa Dowd – 60m: 10.20s (20th), 600m: Competed
Conall Breen – 600m: Competed, Long Jump: 2.88m (17th)
Orla Mc Geehin – Turbo Javelin: 22.09m, Shot Put: 7.37m
The day was filled with energy, determination, and Olympian heart from every athlete. A huge thank you goes out to all the coaches, parents, and guardians who supported and cheered on the young stars throughout the day.
Silver and Bronze at
All Ireland Schools Championships
Six of the club’s athletes made their way to Tullamore on Friday and Saturday to represent their schools and compete at the All Ireland Schools Championships. After having qualified through from District Schools then Ulster Schools they competed at National level as the top athletes in their events and age groups across the country.
Sam Donnell and Tei Chen alongside their school team mates at Foyle College had a fantastic performance in the Minor Boys 4x100m Relay coming home with silver medals in a brilliant time of 49.69s.
Aoife Mc Geehin (representing Loreto Letterkenny) was in superb form and took the bronze in the Intermediate Girls javelin with an excellent throw of 37.89m. In her discus event she also finished 5th place with a throw of 28.70m.
Bonnie Gillard (representing Foyle College) and her senior girls 4x100m school teammates had a nail biting finish and just placed out of the medals in 4th with the top 5 teams clocking 50.14, 50.51, 50.63, 50.81 and 50.94s.
Meave Mc Geehin was in action in the Junior Girls Javelin in which she placed 5th with a throw of 31.08m (just 20cm off the bronze medal) and had a 6th place finish in the Hammer with a PB throw of 35.05m.
Ciara Mc Daid (also representing Loreto Letterkenny) also had a great All Ireland experience moving up an age group to compete in the Junior Girls Discus finishing 8th with a throw of 20.65m. Then in her own Minor Girls age group finished 5th in the shot just shy of the 10m mark with put of 9.98m.
Congratulations to all athletes who competed over the weekend. The clubs attention now turns to the ulster athletics championships over the next few weekends.
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