9th
June 08 NORTHWEST HOPES LOW
AT NI SENIOR TRACK AND FIELD
Local representation at this weekend’s NI & Ulster Senior
Championships could reach an all-time low with the northwest’s
athletes failing to shine so far this season on the track or
in the more technical field events.
The situation has been exacerbated
by Jason Smyth deciding to compete this weekend in Namur, Belgium
instead of taking part in the provincial deciders.
Last year Smyth was the outstanding
local performer at the meeting whizzing to a second place in
the 100 metres behind British Olympic sprinter Nick Smith.
“We are guaranteed good weather
in Namur and straight finals whereas you wouldn’t know what
to expect at Antrim – there is always almost certainly a breeze
there and we can’t take any chances in Paralympic year,” explained
Smyth’s coach Stephen Maguire.
However Strabane Track Club,
as ever, can be relied to supply several top class Javelin throwers
and City of Derry’s Pajo Hamilton runs his first 800 metres
of the season at the Championships.
Last week Hamilton won the 400
metre at the second round of the Donegal Senior Track and Field
Championships held at the Danny McDaid track in Letterkenny.
The City of Derry scorched to a new track record clocking of
51.6 seconds with former international Trevor McGlynn from Strabane
occupying the runner-up position.
Recent Newry City Marathon winner
Gary Crossan showed a fine turn of speed to win the 1500 metres
in 4:17 from Kieran Carlin (4:30) and City’s Dara Furey (4.43).
Hamilton had also been in action
the previous evening in the NI Team Trophy at Antrim where he
finished fifth at the same distance in 51.87 seconds. Gregory
Roberts (8:59.4) in the 3000 metres was City’s only winner on
the night.
In Germany Gary Murray finished
seventh in a 5000 metres race in 14:10.56, the fastest by a
northwest athlete this season and by some considerable distance.
Earlier City of Derry Spartans
had ten young athletes in action at the Ulster Age Group Championships
at the Finn Valley Centre in Stranorlar.
Ruaidhrí O’Neill was
the star performer winning the U13 High Jump after having taken
runner-up spot in the 80 metres Hurdles.
Another double medallist was
Ciara Armstrong who had a very strong run to finish second in
the U13 80 metres and was fortunate in the Long Jump when she
finally hit the board correctly on her final attempt to claim
the bronze medal.
In the Boys’ U13 80 metres Conor
Breslin came strongly through the heats and in the final came
very close to claiming the title but should be well satisfied
with a silver medal to qualify for the upcoming All-Irelands.
Mathew Doherty had a very exciting
race in the U12 500 metres and was only beaten into second place
on the home straight.
