Sunday was a memorable day for the Barr family as Jessie and Thomas who compete with Ferrybank AC both won 400 metres hurdles titles for the first time. Thomas, who has consistently improved his times this year set a new Irish junior record of 50.06 seconds in winning his title.
He went very close to the qualifying standard for the World Championships which has an A standard of 49.40 and a B standard of 49.80. Jessie was a most impressive winner of her race also in a time of 57.38 seconds and again this year her progress has been magnificent and both seem to have lots of improvement in them and no doubt they will make a bold bid to qualify for the London Olympics.
These athletes are an example to all those taking up athletics. They have been competing regularly for years at juvenile level and have been very good competitors without ever really hitting the headlines but stuck it out and now are really making a major impact.
