WOODIES DIY IRISH INDOOR ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
A GREAT SUCCESS
Highlights of the weekend�s Irish Indoors Athletics Championships included no less than four Irish records, impressive PBs by local stars Amy Foster and Ciara Mageean and a spectacular victory by 800m maestro James McIlroy.� Added to this were record entries and a large appreciative crowd.
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However honours for the top performance has to go to US high jumper James Nieto, who achieved an Irish All Comers record of 2.26m � perfect competition for up and coming locals Gary Coulter and Jason Harvey.
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On the Saturday evening, in the men�s 5k Walk, the ever-consistent Robert Heffernan, who is already selected for Beijing, took two seconds off his own record to record new figures of 18.51.46.� A few minutes later, Ireland�s Kelly Proper set the long jump alight in the first round when she added 3cm to her own recent record to jump 6.28m.� A third Irish record followed in the men�s shot, when title holder Kieran Kelly of Father Murphy AC threw 18.320m.
Possibly the most impressive record from a local perspective came in the women�s 1500m, where City of Lisburn�s� Ciara Mageean continued to dominate athletes many years her senior.� Fifteen year old Ciara took a massive 8 seconds off her PB to defeat Roseanne Galligan and set a new Irish junior record of 4.26.52.� With performances like this, the Kilkeel girl is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting prospects in Irish athletics.
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Another relatively easy local victory came in the men�s 3000m, where Gareth Turnbull led from the start to win the 3000m in 8minutes 6 seconds.� However, this performance was usurped by a delighted James McIlroy in the 800m.� The Larne man ran a tactically brilliant race to stay on the shoulder of classy Kenyan Richard Kipligat before unleashing a decisive burst on the last lap to record a convincing victory in 1.49.61.
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Afterwards McIlroy said he was in the form of his life, and had used the race as preparation for the World Indoors in Valencia.� Following this he eventually hopes to gain GB selection for Beijing.� It was indeed pleasing to see Olympian McIlroy come good at long last on his home soil.�
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The much anticipated women�s 60m was won by Commonwealth Games silver medallist Anjike Onuora in 7.38s from a pleased Ailis McSweeney of Leevale, who took the scalps of local stars Amy Foster and Anna Boyle.� Foster, who is coming into good form, had at least the consolation of recording two PBs through the day.
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The equivalent men�s race went very much as anticipated, with the classy American Rae Edwards winning in 6.70s from team mate Josh Norman.� Ballymena�s Paul Brizzell failed to qualify after an indifferent heat.
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Finally the women�s 60m hurdles suffered from the late withdrawals of champion Derval O�Rourke and Sweden�s Kallur.� In their absence Sarah Claxton took the honours in just over eight seconds.
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All in all, another highly successful championship, which is becoming increasingly popular with each passing year.�
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Official website address: www.indoorathletics.net
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