Lally and Costello in terrific form at Irish Schools finals
Galway schools produced quite a number of medallists at the Irish Schools Athletics Championships last Saturday in one of the most competitive athletics event on the calendar.
Double medallists Alanna Lally of Presentation Athenry and Laura Ann Costello of Dunmore CS were again stars of the show – Alanna won gold in the Intermediate 800m, in 2.10, and bronze in the Intermediate 300m.
Laura Ann won the 100m at Intermediate level and took silver in the 200 metres, equalling the old record with a time of 24.56, but was pipped by Rosanna McGuckian on the line who took the win in a new record of 24.54.
Jamie Spelman of Calasanctius, Oranmore won bronze in the Intermediate Boys 3,000m, running 9.01, while Damian O’Boyle, also of Calasanctius, took the silver medal in the 1,500m Intermediate steeplechase.
Samuel Samson of St Mary’s won bronze in the 400 Intermediate hurdles, with Evan McGuire of St Joseph’s, Galway taking bronze in the Senior 400 metres. Shannon Lee of Presentation Athenry won bronze in Junior Girls 1500m.
Meanwhile, GCH athlete Brian O’Connor showed a return to form, winning his third title in a row in the Cong 8km on Saturday last. O’Connor took a comfortable win on the rolling woodland course in a time of 29 minutes. Clubmate Regina Casey won the ladies section.
A field of 528 took to Ballybrit Racecourse Tuesday last for the fifth leg in the 5km series. Glorious sunshine greeted the athletes on a new course for the series.
John Greaney of Galway City Harriers took the honours winning in a time of 16.22 followed by Johnny Lane and Lyall Guiney. First lady was Regina Casey, also of GCH, in a time of 19.14, with Athenrys’ Ruthann Sheahan second and Jane Ann Meehan third.