Talented Lally steals the limelight thanks to superb 800m win

NENAGH was again the centre of athletics attention last weekend as Day Two of the National Juvenile Track & Field championships and the indoor relays took place. There were some really special performances from Galway athletes. 

The oustanding effort of the weekend came from Alanna Lally of GCH who won the under 17 girls 800m with ease in a fine time of 2 minutes 14.93 seconds with Elaine Rafter Tullamore Hrs second in 2 minutes 19.54 seconds.

Remarkably, this is the third year in a row that Alanna has won the 800m/1500m double. Maebh Brannigan won her second silver medal of these championships with a big personal best in the under 16 girls 800m of 2 minutes 19.04 seconds behind Louise Shanahan, Leevale AC, while Sinead Treacy of Craughwell took a superb silver medal in the U16 girls 200m, with a time of 26.51, just .2s from the gold.

Nicholas Sheehan of Craughwell AC had set himself a target of winning the National U17 800m indoor title for the past few months, a goal that looked very likely after a breakthrough 2.02 in Edinburgh recently. However since then a bout of sickness set him back.  

In the race on Saturday, K. Kirwin of Raheny Shamrocks powered off into the lead and though Nicholas tried to stay with him, he wa unable to match the pace of the Dublin athlete. In the end, he was happy that he managed to hold on for silver medal in 2.05.

Evan McGuire also won his second silver medal, running 23.21 seconds in finishing second behind K. Elliot, North Sligo AC, in the U-18 200m, while GCH clubmate Ben Cooney ran an excellent 200m in the boys’ under 19 age group, winning a silver medal in 23.04 seconds behind C Lynch, Marian AC.

Shane Fahey finished an honourable fourth in the under 19 boys 800m, while Christopher O’Connor of Craughwell AC captured bronze in the U17 walk in a time of 7.39 for 1500m, which was a new PB for him.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.