Like the women’s team it was also a case of mission accomplished for the men in the preliminary round of the league in Tullamore on Saturday. At the end of a long day the men’s team comfortably topped the points on a total cumulative basis. (Note: the preliminary round is based on 15 best results, official results not yet to hand).
Over the course of the day all concerned gave their all,a shout out in particular must go to Frantisek Kadlec who earlier in the day finished 3rd in the 110 hurdles (15.96) and then 90 minutes later he ran his 1st ever 400 hurdles winning in 59.09. Then showing real club commitment he put the spikes back on for the last event of the day the 4 x 400 relay where the team finished 6th.
Eoin Sheridan was once again excellent in the throws winning the discus comfortably with a best of 52.25 and also taking 2nd in the shot (13.96).
Maximum points were also contributed by Greg Hossenny winning the race walk, Marcus Lawler the 200 and Keith Marks in the long jump.
There were second-place positions from Ben Guiden in a tactical 5000 (15.06.73) ,a fine return to form by young Matei Ursachi in the 3000 steeplechase (9.36.74) and in the WFD by Niall Allen (6.29).
Euan Caniff took 3rd in the javelin (46.37), an entirely new 4 x 100 relay team of Sean Harman, Brandon Munchini, Eamonn Fahy and Matthew Keogh also took 3rd. Likewise 3rd place for Sean Carrigg 1500 (4.03.95) and christopher Lynch in the 400 (48.68).
There were excellent contributions also made by Damien Prendergast in the 800 4th (1.54.56) and the couple of youngsters Dylan Jones taking 4th in the hammer and Matthew Keogh went straight from the 4 x 100 relay to the high jump where he placed 5th, Sean Harman in the 100 and an interesting (to put it mildly) 4 x 400 team of Brandon, who has never raced further than 200 before, Frantisak Kadlec, and middle distance duo Damien Prendergast and Malcom Kiplagat.
Many congratulations to the entire team on their performances and we now look forward to the final on home turf on August 9.