A total of seven DSD Masters athletes travelled to Toruń, Poland for the European Indoors Masters Athletics Championships held on 17th-23rd March.
They formed part of a 108 athlete Team Ireland contingent who performed strongly, finishing on the medal table in 7th position, out of 38 competing countries.
Adina Gheorghiu (W45) was the stand-out DSD athlete winning 2 Gold medals for Romania in the 60m in 7.92 secs and the 200m in 25.89 secs.
Shane Sheridan (M65) won 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medal – Silver in the 4x200m Mixed Relay (age 60 category) and clinched Bronze in the 60m with the tightest of photo-finishes where the athletes could not be separated.
Congratulations to Dee Walsh (W60) competing in the 60m and the 200m and being selected as a member of the Women's W60 4x200m Relay in her first international masters competition.
Huge thanks are due to the coaches of the above athletes: Avril Dillon, David Connolly and Lucy Moore for their excellent programmes, guidance and coaching.
DSD performances:
Adina Gheorghiu W45
60m – Gold in 7.92 secs
200m – Gold in 25.89 secs
Dee Walsh W60
60m – 6th in Heat in 10.26 secs
200m – 4th in Heat in 34.80
4x200m Relay (W60) – 5th in 2.14.07 in new National Record
Lucy Moore W65
Shot-Put – 12th with 7.47m
Triple-jump – 7th with 7.51m and new National Record
Hammer – 8th with 25.47m
Kevin Byrne M50
Pole Vault – 8th with 3.15m
60m Hurdles – 5th in Heat with 9.98 secs
4x200m Relay Mixed 50 – 7th in 1.57.29
Peadar McGing M65
Pentathlon – 12th with 2782 pts
4x200m Relay M65 – 7th in 2.00.62 in new National Record
Ronan Gately M55
60m - 8.49 secs (4th in Heat)
200m - 27.39 secs (4th in Heat)
Shane Sheridan M65
60m – Bronze in 8.17 secs (ran 8.10 secs for new National Record in semi-final)
200m – 5th in Final in 27.46 secs (ran 27.17 in semi-final)
4x200m Mixed 60 Relay – 2nd in 1.59.43 and new National Record
4x200m Mens 65 Relay – 7th in 2.00.62 and new National Record
Some noteworthy performances from non-DSD athletes included:
Triple Golds for
John McDermott - Sligo AC (M80 category) won Gold in 400m (in a new European Record of 71.08 seconds at age 80!); 60h Hurdles and Pentathlon.
Rachel Akers - Ennis Track (W35) in Hammer, Discus and Weight Throw.
Double Golds for
The indomitable Ann Woodlock – Donore Harriers (W85) in the 1,500m and the 3,000m.
Annette Kealy – Raheny (W55) in dominant fashion in both the 3000m on the track and in the 8k Cross-country.
Joe Gough – West Waterford (M70) in the 800m (where he set a new European record of 2.23.41 in a masterclass of tactical 800m running) and the 1500m.
Ronan Gately
DSD
