A TOUCHING TRIBUTE was paid to late Irish sprinter Craig Lynch at the 2020 National Indoor Athletics Championships yesterday.
Ballymena & Antrim star Dean Adams powered to victory in the senior men’s 60m with a time of 6.74 seconds, and in turn, landed the inaugural Craig Lynch Cup.
It was an emotional victory for Adams, who was brought to tears afterwards as he was presented with the silverware by Lynch’s family and partner. In a special moment, he turned his race number around to show the message, ‘Lynch #JustRace’ in a gesture to the Cavan man’s competitive philosophy.
Lynch, 29, died in a car crash in September. Having won the 60m title in 2016 himself, his coach Jeremy Lyons, friends, family and fellow athletes organised the cup with Athletics Ireland, while on a poignant day for all involved, the big screen showed Lynch’s victory four years ago.
A fitting tribute on an emotional day at the Irish Life Health National Indoor Athletics Championships as Dean Adams of Ballymena and Antrim AC won the Craig Lynch Cup after winning the Senior Men’s 60m event. #justrace pic.twitter.com/ijhF2BvaCl
— Sam Barnes (@SportsfileSam) March 1, 2020
Was an honor to wear the Shercock AC colors today alongside Craig’s coach @Jeremy_P_Lyons, his family, club mates and training group. A very fitting and classy tribute to the man who had such an impact on so many. He ran in lane 9 today and dragged @DeanAdams13 with him ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/ciRCcx8gIA
— Shane McCormack (@mcwexford) March 1, 2020
Great win by @Dean_UU_ANI to take the national 60m title in 6.74 to win the Craig Lynch cup, commemorating the former champion who died last September.
— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) March 1, 2020
Adams wrote Lynch's name on the inside of his bib pic.twitter.com/WIjEOmF5fT
The eight athletes contesting the 2020 edition paid tribute to the late Shercock AC athlete before racing, while many present in Abbotstown wore his club colours.
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‘It is always there: ‘You need to live your life just like Lynch would.’ He left a mark on everyone’
Elsewhere yesterday, Ciara Neville won the women’s 60m in a time of 7.30 — matching the Irish U23 record — and pipped the Healy sisters, Joan and Phil.
Donore Harriers’ John Travers won the 3,000m in 8:00.96, while Andrew Coscoran produced a dominant run and a new championship record (3:41.3) in the 1500m — in which 1996 Atlanta Olympian Shane Healy (51) lined out.
Leevale’s Louise Shanahan took the women’s edition, as rising star Nadia Power of Dublin City Harriers won the 800m. Sophie Becker edged the women’s 400m, and Cathal Crosbie stunned the field to win the men’s race in an exciting finish.
Meanwhile, Donegal man Mark English triumphed in the men’s 800m (1:49.09), while Sarah Quinn and Gerard O’Dpnnell were both convincing winners in their respective 60m hurdles.
Ariel Lieghio won the women’s pole vault, Saragh Buggy took the triple jump crown, David Cussen tasted success in the men’s high jump and Keith Marks landed the long jump title.
In the men’s shot put, it was a family affair as Finn Valley duo John and James finished first and second. And Leevale (women’s) and Emerald (men’s) won the 4x200m relays.
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