Day 1 of the Dublin u12 to u19 took place last Saturday in a showery Morton Stadium. Fifteen medals were secured across a broad range of events with the throws group in particular showing great progression and a new generation of athletes making their outdoor debuts in the u12 age group.
Marianne O’Farrell (Girls u17) secured double gold, winning the 300m hurdles after a big battle with her training partner, Ola Kacperska who claimed silver, and she backed this up with gold in the Long Jump. Ola had taken an early lead in the hurdles race but Marianne closed very strongly and despite clipping the last, Ola chased Marianne to the line.
Keane Wosser made his debut in the 250m Hurdles and he showed calmness off the last hurdle to come through and take a win in the competitive Boys u16 age group. Patryk Pucek continued his fine run of jumping form with a new PB of 6.31 for gold in the Boys u17 Long Jump. Timur Ciparsons had a big PB for 4th in the same event.
Azim Floro-Ali ran the race of his life in the Boys u16 800m, taking 7 seconds off his PB to take bronze in 2:08 while Seb Ursachi took bronze in the Boys u16 Javelin including some big throws marginally ruled out as fouls. Dylan Brennan jumped a PB in the Long Jump but was just outside the medals in 4th.
Eva McArdle also jumped a big PB in her Girls u15 Long Jump to take bronze, just ahead of Ella O’Dwyer in 4th. Ella also had a very close 4th in the 800m in a super competitive field. Liliya Riecka had a storming finish off the last hurdle in the Girls u15 250m hurdles to claim a bronze medal.
Nikita Riecka won her first Dublin medal in the Girls U14 High Jump with a PB, showing that consistency and perseverance will be rewarded while Max Lyons ran a great tactical race in the heats and finals to take bronze in the Boys u14 800m. Robin Harris showed his versatility by taking 4th in the Boys u14 Javelin.
Daniel Ward had a very exciting Silver in the Boys u13 Javelin throwing over 26m while Mikey Hayden was rewarded for his hard work over the winter with a bronze in the Boys u12 Shot Putt.
Last but not least was Sarah O’Halloran in the Girls u12 age group, underlining her multi-event potential with silver in both the 600m and High Jump, with big PBs in both events.
A break in competition now for two weeks with Days 2-4 taking place on the weekend of the 6th June.
Clongriffin AC 