McDonnell and Whiteside take the honours on second night of Galway 5K series
Athenry star Doggett heads to Botswana for World Relay Championships this weekend
The second leg of the Galway 5km Series was held in Loughrea on Tuesday night in summer weather, with Gary McDonnell first home in a time of 17mins 11secs, with Aidan Connaughton of Clare River Harriers second in 17.27; and Daniel O'Brien third in 17.29.
Phoebe Whiteside of Galway City Harriers was the first woman home for the second week running, if you pardon the pun, in a time of 18.34; with Ellen Bermingham of South Galway AC just behind in second in 18.36; and Whiteside's clubmate, Sinead Egan, third in 19.35.
The third leg of the six-leg series takes place next Tuesday night in Athenry, to be followed by legs in Caltra (May 12), Tuam (May 19), and Craughwell (May 26).
World championships
Sean Doggett of Athenry AC is part of the Irish team that has travelled to Botswana this week competes for the World Relay Championships, which are being held in Gaborne this Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3.
Doggett continues his great season following on from National Indoor victory, and will compete in the Mixed 4x400m Relay alongside the likes of Sharlene Mawdsley and Jack Raftery.
World Championships places are up for grabs on both days of action in Gaborone. On the first day, the top two teams in each of the four heats will advance to the finals on day two, while also securing their qualification for the World Athletics Championships Beijing 27.
In the finals on day two, teams will compete for prize money and obtain preferential World Championships lane seeding positions.
The first round gets underway on Saturday at 1.30pm Irish time.
Local championships
The Galway Track and Field Championships for Juvenile athletes take place next weekend, Saturday and Sunday May 9 and 10, in Dangan, with entries open for club athletes until Monday next, May 4, on the Entry for Sport website.