Sligo Juveniles excel at Connaught indoor Championships in Nenagh

There was plenty of gold, a few silver, a few bronze and a number of fine performances by Sligo AC’s up and coming stars. First up were the sprints where Sligo AC vests were very prominent across all age groups.
Mary Stenson got the ball rolling with a fine 5th place finish in the girls u-13 60m final that was swiftly followed up with a bronze medal for Graham Kerr in the u-14 boys 60m final. Then came Stacey Kerr with a smashing silver medal in the u-15 girls 60m, immediately followed by an impressive gold medal for Zak Irwin in the boys u-16. After Zak followed another gold medal, this time his training partner Kevin McGlynn won the u-19 boys 60m very convincingly. Ita Connell can also be very proud of her fine 6th place finish in the girls u-16 60m final.
On the outer track the 1,500m races were taking place where Sligo AC scooped more success with Killian O’Connor showing his form ahead of the All Ireland schools this weekend with a gun to tape victory in magnificent style, he later followed this gold medal with a bloodless win in the 3,000m. There was also fine performances in the 1500m by Aishan Patil finishing a close 4th and Orla Mulvihill in 7th place in the u-17’s category.
Sligo also enjoyed great success in field events with Colm Bourke claiming double gold in the boys u-18 triple and long jump, Ania Bednorz scooped gold in the u-18 triple jump and followed that up with a silver in the u-17 long jump. And new senior jump sensation Ciaran White in only his second competition took gold in the long jump nearly breaking 6metres for the first time and that was his second medal of the day adding to his bronze in the senior 60m final. Orla Mulvihill, Leo Doherty, Liam Kerrigan, Philip Hunter, Laura Joyce and Lauren Cadden jumped well in their first ever indoor competition and will have learned a lot from their experience.
Eimear Joyce and Liam Kerrigan did really well in their shot putt competitions and again would have learned so much from their experience. There was better luck on track for the walkers as Sligo dominated the male section claiming gold with Robby Kelly in the u-14 and National Champion Dylan Carty strode to victory in the boys u-16, he later added an impressive bronze medal in the 800m. Orla Delahunt was desperately unlucky not to claim bronze in the u-14 girls walk showing her potential and look forward to great things come the outdoors.
Sligo AC enjoyed even more success in the 800m with the impressive Caelainn McGonigle dominating from gun to tape to stride to an impressive victory and this is a really nice return to form for Caelainn. Sligo nearly added to Caelainn and Dylan’s medal in the 800m with Thomas Delahunt, Aishan Patil, Claire Conlon, Mark Connolly, Philip Hunter and Niall Simon all running excellent races to finish in close prominent positions.
The medal haul didn’t finish there with 2 more medals to come. First Leo Doherty finished a very close 2nd place in the boys u-12 600m, he can look forward to Nationals where he will have a great chance to turn the tables on his conqueror. And second; Zak Irwin winning the u-16 boys 200m in fine style, showing fine speed to blow his rivals away.
A big well done to all Sligo AC athletes who took part over the weekend and good luck to all who made it to Nationals where the first weekend will take place in Magherafelt, co Derry in 2 weeks time.