Susanna Malikova, West Waterford AC, on her way to winning the 3000m walk in the second fastest time in the world this year (12.36.43) at last weekend's Woodies DIY All-Ireland Indoor Senior Track & Field Finals in Belfast.
One of the performances of the weekend came in the women’s 3000m walk, when Susanna Malikova, West Waterford, achieved the second fastest time in the world this year when winning the event in 12.36.43. Young Kate Veale, also West Waterford, was a fine third in 13.18.44 after being in second position for most of the race; she may have went off a little too fast early on, but will have benefited from the experience gained.
In the men’s 5000m walk, Jamie Costin, West Waterford, was third with a very good performance in a time of 19.48.73, just a second behind the next athlete home. Other West Waterford athletes who competed there and did well were Thomas Houlihan, fourth in the pole vault with 4.50m; his sister Lisa, fifth in the women’s pole vault with 2.80m; James Ledingham, who was just one place away from making the 800m final after running 1.56.74; Ravis Zakis, who had a PB of 8.45.43 in the 3000m, although unplaced; and Liam Houlihan, who was unplaced in the pole vault.
Munster Juvenile Indoors
On Saturday and Sunday last in Nenagh at the Munster U9 to U13 indoor championships, there were several winners from Waterford. Top performer was Anne Corcoran in the U12 section; she won three titles, the long and high jumps and shot put. Amy Harrison won the U13 long jump, and Tadgh Brennan the U13 600m, Grace Kervick was second in the U9 long jump, and also second were the girls’ U12 relay team. Third placings went to Tom Gallagher U10, 300m and long jump, Dylan Kearns, U13 hurdles, Cormac McCann, U13 long jump, Fiona Eboko, U10 300m, Orla O’Brien, U12 shot put, girls’ U11 relay and boys’ U13 relay and all of these from Ferrybank. For Tramore, Denise O’Connor won the U13 hurdles, and was second in the long jump, Shane Monagle was second in the 60m U10 and the boys’ relay team U11 were second also. An Ghaeltacht had a win with Ciaran O’Maoilean U12 shot put and third placings by Emma Hallahan, U12 long jump, and Liam Reilly U13 600m.
UK Championships in Sheffield
This weekend, the UK athletics indoor championships, are on across the water, and Kelly Proper and Niamh Whelan from Ferrybank AC, are both in action there. Also this weekend a large number of Ferrybank athletes compete in the Scottish under-age indoors in Glasgow.
Upcoming
Fixtures still to come in February are as follows.
Saturday, February 13th: Irish Universities Indoor Championships in Nenagh;
February 13th: Anne Valley 5 miles in Dunhill; February 13/14: Scottish Under Age Indoors;
Sunday 21st February: National Intermediate, Masters and Juvenile B cross-country championships in Lough Key, Boyle, Co Roscommon, and also the boys’ U13 and girls’ U15 rerun A championship, and also that day the Kilmacthomas 5 mile road race at 11am.
Friday February 26th: Munster Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships, CIT, Cork 12.30pm.
Sunday February 28th: Eason’s Dungarvan 10km road race 11am. Again all the fixtures are on the Athletics Ireland website, and many other athletic websites, also including those in the County, so there’s no need for anyone to be unaware of events that they can plan for.
On Saturday next, February 13th, the 4th Annual Anne Valley 5 mile run is in Dunhill and is expected to have a very large entry. This year will also see an U14 run over a shorter route and all proceeds go to the Jack & Jill Foundation. Entries on the day from 10am in Harney’s and the race gets underway at 12 noon. Presentation of prizes and refreshments in Harney’s after the race, and shower facilities also nearby. Sponsored walk is at 11am.
