|
|
Jason Denied NI Junior Record |
|
|
bob_mullan_motors_5k_series_2006.htm
Website Sponsored by: - Noel Duddy Chartered Accountant 6 Lindenwood Park, Foyle Springs, L'Derry. 028 71374268
|
Jason Gets his instructions from Stephen in advance of double at Ulster Schools The absence of a wind gauge robbed Jason Smyth of a certain Northern Ireland Junior record at the Ulster Schools Athletics Championships at Antrim Forum. The Limavady Grammar School student stopped the electronic clock at 10.64 seconds for 100 metres but with no wind reading the mark will not be ratified as an NI record despite being almost a tenth of a second improvement on Simon Baird’s current mark. The 18-year-old City of Derry athlete had threatened something special after easing through the 100 metres heat earlier in the day before coasting to the 200 metres title in 22.2 seconds. In the final Smyth was first out of the blocks and continued to move away throughout the race for huge winning margin of almost half a second. Surprising after the race neither Smyth nor his coach, Stephen Maguire, seemed disappointed that the mark will not go forward for ratification. “I know there was a strong breeze out there but it seemed to be across the track and I’m sure had there been a reading it would have been under the permitted two metres per second,” said Maguire. “He’ll just have to do it again in two weeks!” added the Strabane man alluding to the All-Ireland Schools finals in Tullamore on June 3. The 18-year-old Limavady Grammar School student defends his titles at both sprint distances in what will only be his third engagement of what promises to be a hectic year. It was unusual that a World and European Champion lined up for the Ulster Schools. The fact that he also holds three World Records and receives the highest grant of any current Irish athlete does not seem to affect the modest young Eglinton man. Twelve months ago, he was almost unheard of outside his native Northwest but double gold at the European Paralympics last August changed all that. Despite dreadful conditions in Espoo, Finland, he raced to World Records in the T13 category for the visually impaired at both the 100 and 200 metres with 10.96/21.84 clockings. Back in March this year, he added a third World Record to his growing collection when he won the 60 metres at the inaugural World Indoor Championships for the Disabled. His 6.92 seconds timing in Bolinas, Sweden also shaved a hundredth of a second off Jeff Pamplin’s 14-year-old Irish Junior (U20) record. Despite being in the top funding category and having targets of competing at the World Juniors in Beijing and World Paralympics in Holland within days of each other later this summer, Coach Stephen Maguire is adamant that Smyth is not under any pressure this season. “Jason has always been able to do what has been asked of him and combines competing in open athletics with Paralympic competition better than any Irish athlete has ever done before,” said the Strabane man who recently took over as National Director of Coaching. “Really and truly I would see next year as more crucial in that he will have to cope with moving out of the junior age-group into senior competition and that is always difficult. “But in the meantime I’ll be looking for him to defend both titles tomorrow and again at the Irish Schools in two weeks,” concluded Maguire. Northwest athletes also excelled picking up a number of titles and now represent Ulster at the All-Ireland Schools. Kevin O’Doherty from St. Columb’s College picked up the Senior Boys’ 400 metres title in 52.88 seconds at what was only his third run over the distance. Seven days earlier he had made his one lap debut in Belfast but after a promising start faded dramatically down the home-straight. After another week’s work under the watching eye of coach Stephen Maguire, the Strabane lad eased through the heats in a time just outside 55 seconds. Although, troubled by a slight strain in his right calf O’Doherty decided to put himself under starter’s orders for the final. After a cautious opening furlong, O’Doherty upped the tempo around the final bend and despite the challenge of the 800 metres winner earlier in the afternoon; he was able to land the only senior title of the day for St. Columb’s. Strabane Grammar School’s Aaron Crawford also struck gold when he produced a 52.09 metres throw to win the javelin. Keira Ferguson from St. Cecilia’s kept the flag flying for the local senior girls winning the triple jump with a 10.48 metres effort. Caitlin Ketelaar (Thornhill) and Elizabeth Sproule (Foyle & Londonderry) followed up the good work with silver medals in the Javelin and Shot Putt.
|
