Day 1 of the national senior track and field championships at Morton Stadium proved to be a very interesting afternoon. There was a sizeable attendance in the stadium, in particular for a Saturday, no doubt to see the return of Irish sprinting superstar Rhasidat Adeleke (Tallaght AC), and all in attendance were rewarded by seeing her not only win her 1st national 200 title but more importantly grab that automatic European championship qualifying time as she won in a time of 22.80.
From a Clonliffe perspective the highlights were qualification for tomorrow’s 1500 final by Cathal Doyle, as he impressed with a fine last lap to win a time of 3.52.23, setting up a mouthwatering final showdown with Andrew Coscoran and Nick Griggs tomorrow evening. Qualification for tomorrow’s 800 final was also secured after an excellent run by Niamh Kelly who finished 3rd in heat 1 in 2.10.58 and qualified as one of the fastest ‘losers’. Unfortunately Hannah Segrave due to a re-occurrence of injury found herself at the back of the field and did the wise thing by pulling up.
Other Clonliffe today Fintan Kerins was 5th in his 1500 heat in a time of 3.56.65. In the men’s 800 both Clonliffe representatives ran very well indeed, Sean Carrigg was 2nd in heat 3 (1.53.50) and Damien Prendergast was 5th in heat 1 (1.55.55). Christopher Lynch was 2nd in heat 2 of the 400 (48.30). In the 200 Snezana Bechtina 6th in her heat (26.79). In the 4 x 100 relay the Clonliffe women’s team of Grainne Diamond Ebs, Snezana Bechtina Maggie Szuta and Charis Amponsa finished in 5th place (50.53).
Tomorrow will be an absolute cracker, get yourselves to Morton Stadium. get your tickets through this link: Spectator Tickets
