THERE WAS A pleasant surprise for early visitors to the Tullamore Harriers stadium today when Irish 100m hurdles record holder Derval O’Rourke showed up with her running spikes.
The Cork athlete, who reached the Women’s 100m Hurdles at London 2012, competed in the first event of the Woodie’s DIY National League final and gained a maximum nine points for her club, Leevale AC, by winning in a time of 13.37.
Another Irish record holder, Deirdre Ryan (Dundrum South Dublin AC) won the high jump with a clearance of 1.70m.
Claire Bergin (Dundrum South Dublin AC) dominated the 400m to win in a time of 55.48, with her fellow Olympic relay team member Jessie Barr (Ferrybank AC) second in 57.06, and junior runner Grainne Moynihan (Bandon AC) third in 57.58.
Barr was in better form in the 400m hurdles and won in a time of 61.23, overcoming the strong challenge of Emma Peters (Dundrum South Dublin AC) who was second in 61.76.
US-based Killian Barry (Crusaders AC) won the hammer with a throw of 55.15m.
Wind scuppers record-breaking efforts
Adam McMullen (Crusaders AC) won the long jump with a leap of 7.54m with a legal following wind reading of 1.9m/s, the second longest legal jump of his career after the 6.61m he jumped earlier this year.
Alberto Sanchez (Sligo AC) tried to lead the Division 1 1500m from the gun but could not shake the persistent challenge of Eoin Everard (Kilkenny City Harriers) who overtook his rival in the last 100m to win in a time of 3:48.92 to the time of 3:49.33 recorded by Sanchez.
Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers) overcame his lane 1 draw to win the 400m in 47.55, with Brian Murphy (Crusaders AC) chasing him home in 47.91.
Big disappointment of the day came in the women’s javelin which was won by Anita White Fitzgibbon (Dundrum South Dublin AC) with a throw of 52.21m. This would have stood as a new Irish record but the javelin was examined afterwards and found to be slightly under the required specification.
Steven Colvert (Crusaders AC) won the 100m as expected, but his nearest rival in the adjoining lane was 400m runner Gregan nearly caused a big upset clocking 10.54 for second behind Colvert’s 10.49. Unfortunately the wind reading of 2.1m/s was just over the legal limit.
Marcus Lawlor (St. Laurence O’Toole AC) was just as unlucky windwise. He won the Division 1 100m in 10.48, well inside his Irish youths record, but it won’t count as the wind reading of 2.1 was over the legal limit.
