Sligo AC well represented at National Finals

By Club PRO Paul Deering 

Sligo AC members were to the fore in the Woodie’s DIY National League final at the Tullamore Harriers Stadium on Sunday. Competing for the county team in Division One (Men) and Division Two (women) there were several placings and excellent performances. At the end of a long day of tough competition, Sligo County men were second overall and the women third. It will mean County Sligo have won promotion to the Premier Division.

The County Sligo Squad

Sligo AC’s Emmett Dunleavy’s switch to the track of late has been going quite well and he won the 5,000m in 15.10.56 while another first came from Zak Irwin in the 200m in a time of 22.11 while he was third in the 100m in 11.32. Alberto Sanchez was second in the 1500m in 4.01 while coach Dermot McDermott was third in the 400m hurdles in 58.61. In the long jump, young Colm Burke continued his recent impressive form, finishing third with a leap of 6.77m. John McDermott was fourth in the pole vault and Stephen Reynolds was second in the hammer, throwing 32.16m. The four by 100m relay team was first in 43.10. In the women’s Division Two league, Stacey Kerr won the 200m in 27.02 and was fourth in 400m in 69.06. Ania Bednorz won the 100m in 13.12 while she was also first in the triple jump with a leap of 11.82m. Rachel Conlon put in a great effort in the 1,500m walk finishing runner up in 7.49.23 in a very close finish. Emily Burns was third in the long jump.

Meanwhile, there was a good turn out mid-week for the County Sligo 9k trail championships in Union Wood. It was another testing run, coming after two tough eight mile road races in the past two weeks. Ross McLynn led the field home with Jonathan Hill and Seamus Somers in hot pursuit. Great credit goes to Rory Connor for his efforts in putting on the race which should become an annual event. Results are available here.

In other news, Richard Gorman clocked up another victory this year, this time in the Castlebar 10k road race on Sunday in a time of 34.38. The Sligo AC vest was also seen in Cork last week with Philip Morrison proudly wearing the colours in the Southern capital where he finished a five mile event on Haulbowline Naval Base in 33.37.

Please see the club's Facebook page for lots more photos.