A record total of 14 DSD Masters athletes competed at the National Indoor Masters Athletics Championships held in TUS Athlone on Sunday 30th Jan
In a testament to the excellence of our Masters athletes superb coaches (Avril Dillon, David Connolly and Lucy Moore) there were medals galore won at these Championships – a total of 21 medals from a total of 26 events: made up of 11 Gold, 7 Silver and 3 Bronze.
The highlights included:
A new National Masters Record set by Lucy Moore (W60) who threw an excellent 5.97m in the Weight for Distance.
Double Gold for Adina Gheorghiu (W45) in 60m and 200m in blistering fast times of 8.31 secs and 27.52 secs (both of which would be new National Records – need to get that Irish Passport sorted Adina!!)
In addition to the above there were a number of other double gold medal winners (athletes were only allowed enter a max. of 2 individual events due to Covid Restrictions):
Shane Sheridan (M60) in the sprint double (60m & 200m)
Peadar McGing (M65) in the sprint double (60m & 200m)
Kevin Byrne (M50) in Pole Vault and 60m Hurdles
Kevin’s double Gold performance was also notable for the fact that it was the 1st time ever that these events (Pole Vault and Hurdles) have been available for the over 50’s age category to enter – a fitting reward to Kevin who was the driving force in pushing this change through at the last Athletics Ireland Congress (in addition to also getting Triple Jump for over 50’s and changes to Combined Events for older age categories).
It was great to see Alison Beck (W40) back competing for DSD after many years, Mike Burke (M45) back after an extended break and to welcome debutant Teresa McGing (W60).
It was a very well organised event and it was wonderful to see spectators back to support the many fine performances throughout the day.
7 of DSD’s Masters Athletes will now look ahead to the European Indoor Masters Championships to be held in Braga, Portugal from 20th – 27th Feb 2022.
Full list of events and medals below:
Adina Gheorghiu (W45) – 1st - 60m 8.31 secs; 1st - 200m 27.52 secs
Avril Dillon (W40) – 1st – 60m 7.98 secs
Alison Beck (W40) – 2nd Long-Jump 3.44m; 2nd High-Jump – 1.20m (despite carrying an injury).
Helene Kehoe (W55) – 2nd – 60m 9.43 secs; 2nd Shot Put – 7.96m
Lucy Moore (W60) – 1st – Weight for Distance – 5.97m (new Irish Record); 2nd Shot Put 8.43m
Mary Gowing (W55) – 3rd – 60m – 9.51 secs; 3rd 200m – 32.8 secs
Teresa McGing (W60) – 2nd 60m – 12.35 secs; 3rd Weight for Distance 3.02m
Vigetta Moran (W45) – 4th Shot Put 6.47m (new PB); 4th Weight for Distance 4.32m
Fintan Hourihan (M55) – 8th 200m in 30.17 secs (edging ever closer to a sub 30)
Kevin Byrne (M50) – 1st 60m Hurdles - 10.30 secs; 1st Pole Vault 3.00m
Mike Burke (M45) – 2nd 60m – 7.83 secs; 5th 200m 25.93 secs
Peadar McGing (M65) – 1st 60m - 8.56 secs; 1st 200m 28.42 secs
Ronan Gately (M50) – 1st 200m - 26.89 secs; 5th 400m –1.09.10
Shane Sheridan (M60) – 1st 60m – 8.26 secs; 1st 200m – 27.81 secs
