National Community Games Finals
Week one of the Aldi National Community Games Finals were held in the University Of Limerick Sports Grounds on Saturday / Sunday May 25th / 26th. Five of our juvenile athletes were representing Kerry.
Week one of the Aldi National Community Games Finals were held in the University Of Limerick Sports Grounds on Saturday / Sunday May 25th / 26th. Five of our juvenile athletes were representing Kerry.
In the U16 Marathon, which is a 7Km run through the University grounds, we had Shauna McCarthy & Cian Spillane competing. We had approx. 25 participants for each race representing numerous counties, all running for individual positions and county team medals. Both Boys and Girls race was run together. From the offset the pace was very intense with the group packed well together at the 2Km mark. Gradually the group began to spread as those who went out too fast began to slow down.
Shauna and Cian were both running well. At the 5k mark Shauna was positioned in third place with about 100m behind the two leaders, but was still well in control and looking comfortable.
Cian who has been focusing on 800m & 1500m distances was finding the pace difficult, which is understandable considering this 7K was not part of his main focus this season. The final 200m's was on grass, at this point the lead girl runner appeared from around the corner, but hot on her heals was Shauna, after making up some serious ground over the last 1K she was now within sight of the leader and the finish line. Like in training Shauna dug deep and began her sprint for the finish, passing the leader with great speed. Unable to react to Shauna's surge of pace it was clear that Shauna was the Marathon Champion for 2019. Shauna gave it everything and was the deserved winner. To cap it all the remaining three Kerry girls ran extremely well and secured a third place team medal. Cian finished the distance strong and was part of county to get fourth place medals. A great achievement from both athletes who have been involved in Kerry Community games for many years now.
In the U12 mixed distance relays we has Mairead Walsh & Rhian McCarthy for the girls team and John Sexton was part of the boys team. In the morning both teams competed in the semi-finals and secured their place in the finals which was held in the afternoon.
First up was U12 girls, Mairead ran the 1st leg which was 600m. Mairead ran really well and handed the baton over placed in second place. Rhian picked up the baton for the third leg which was also 600m's. At this stage they were still in second place but Dublin were hot on their heels. Rhian battled strongly to hold off the Dublin girl with both handing over their batons at the same time. The final runner did very well to fight off the Dubs to win silver for the county. A great battle which the spectators acknowledged. In the boys U12, John ran the second leg, which was 400m's. This was very competitive with six teams running very close together. John did very well to stay with the lead group and handed the batton over in fourth place. The two final runners battled hard to finally finish in second place.
So all our athletes came home with National Community Games Medals. A special mention also to daughter of Caitriona Barry, Rachel who was competing in the U13 1200m Cross Country race. She did extremely well finishing in the top 10 girls and their team won Gold for the county.
A special thanks to the Kerry Community Games organiser, Owen Stack, for give up his free time to arranging training for the past six weeks and selecting the teams for all the races.
Munster U9 to U13 T&F C'Ships
The Munster Juvenile U9 to U13 Track & Field Championships were held in CIT on Saturday May 25th.
Munster U9 to U13 T&F C'Ships
The Munster Juvenile U9 to U13 Track & Field Championships were held in CIT on Saturday May 25th.
Isaac Vickers ran a great U11 600m to come in first place. Isaac with the help of club mate Kevin O'Shea were teamed up in the U11 Javelin. With their combined throws they were second overall to win silver.
Ryan Vickers was also in action and made it through to the finals of the U10 60m sprint. In the final he ran very well to take third place. Very well done to all three athletes. Munster U12 to U19 Juvenile T & F Championships Day 1 is on Saturday 8th June in Templemore. Contact Club secretary to register.
Club Training:
- Tuesdays @ Farranfore GAA Grounds, €2, Juveniles U9 to U16 Outdoors 6 to 7pm (All events).
- Thursday @ An Riocht Track, Castleisland, €3 Club Member €5 other. Juveniles U11-U16 & Senior 7:45 to 9:15pm (All events). NOTE: Must be Athletic Ireland Registered to attend.
- We welcome new members to come along to training and try it out. If you are happy you can register after two sessions. See our website for full details.
- Sat June 1st: National Schools T&F, Tullamore
- Sat June 8th: Munster U12 to U19 T&F c'Ships DAY 1, Templemore
- Sun June 9th: Munster Junior / U23 / Senior / Master T&F CShips, Templemore
- Wed June 12th: County Primary Schools, Castleisland
- Sat June 15th: Munster U12 to U19 T&F C'Ships DAY 2, Castleisland
- Sun June 16th: Munster U12 to U19 T&F C'Ships DAY 3, Castleisland
- Sat/Sun 22nd/23rd June: County Community Games athletics, Castleisland
- Sun June 30th: National League T&F Day 2, AIT
- Sun 30th June: Munster Juvenile "B" T&F C'ships & Juv. Pentathlons, Lees Road Ennis