In August
the 2023 Track and Field season was coming to a close. David Kenny was competing
in the world championships in Budapest on the 19th. Hopes were high
he could improve on his performance from last years’ championships in America.
Unfortunately, the race didn’t go his way and he was unable to finish. The race
which was run in very testing conditions having been delayed for 2 hours due to
thunderstorms. This shouldn’t take away
from what was a marvellous achievement it was to get selected to represent your
country at the world championships. At 24 time is definitely on his side.
The
following day at the regional community games in Ennis both Roisin Daly and
Ryan Vickers won the 100m and 800m respectively to qualify for the Nationals
championships the following weekend in Carlow.
Cross
country training started in the new location of the Mass rock in Killaclohane
wood at the beginning of the month.
The
National Community games were held on the 26th of the month. The club was well
represented with 8 of our athletes representing Kerry. Conor McCarthy was part
of the Ballymac u 16 relay team. Unfortunately despite running well they did not
qualify for the final but Conor still has the consolation of having the medal
in the Marathon from earlier in the year.
Fionn Hogan
was part of the Tralee team in the 4 x 100 relay but again despite running well
they were unable to qualify for the final. Thadg Mannix competed in the U12
ball throw and despite throwing very well just failed to make the final. Kevin
O’Shea was in the U 14 Javelin. He was unlucky not to throw well under his best
in the windy conditions but he still came home in 2nd position
losing by a few centimetres.
Ryan
Vickers was in the U 14 800 metres. He took the lead from the gun and
maintained his lead to the finish line. This was a great achievement as he is
underage again next year. Niamh O’Shea was in her final year in the community
games competing in the U 16 Discus. In a close competition she saved her best
for last winning in the final throw. Roisin Daly had a double success winning
the girls u 16 100 metres and anchoring the Keel/Kiltallagh relay team to
finish 2nd. Also on the team was Rachel Boyle. 3 golds and 2 silvers was a
great return from the weekend.
Over the
month we were well represented at the local parkrun
Fionn Hogan,
Ethan and Amelia O’Sullivan also ran along with Sophie O’Brien in Tralee Junior
Parkrun. Tomas Lynch and Liam and Matthew Smyth were regular competitors at the
Killarney event
.