The good times kept rolling on Sunday in Santry, after our two golds and a bronze on Saturday, D.S.D., added three more golds and a bronze. One of the gutsiest displays ever by a D.S.D. athlete was given by Sinead Denny, who had a ferocious battle with Phil Healy, all the way throughout the one lap race, and won with a glorious dip on the line to cement her place for the European Championships. This was a race totally dominated by D.S.D. athletes as we had four in the final, Sinead, Lauren Hansson, Gabrielle Coveney and Mollie O’Reilly. Mollie, only 17 years, ran a huge PB of 55.01 for 5th place and a World Junior Q.T. Later on Lauren, Gabrielle and Mollie were joined by Rachel Dunne to romp away with the 4x400m. One of the greatest comebacks of all time saw David Gillick finish a close 3rd in the 400m after three years out of competition, in 46.44. David lived up to the old adage “form is temporary – class is permanent”, as he ensured the Irish 4x400m team for Europeans and Rio will be a formidable unit, as the first four over the line all went sub 47.
Siofra Cleirigh Buttner had the most dominant display of the day to win the 800m in a fast championships time of 2.04.72, having to lead from gun to tape on her own, to win by a 6 seconds margin.
Mark Kavanagh returned to action in the 100m with a great 4th place after injury stopped his progress. Amazingly Zac Curran ran a PB of 46.99, but had to settle for a 6th place finish in a top class 400m event. Just off the medals also were Joe Halwax 400m hurdles 54.21 (PB); Grainne Moggan and Grace O’Rourke joint 4th High Jump. Mark Conway was delighted to reach the final of the 1,500m with a PB of 3.55.95; Tara Jenkins was 6th in the Long Jump 5.12; and also making the finals were Megan Ryan and Fiona Clinton 5,000m; Katie Berney 200m and Rachel Dunne 400m hurdles.
D.S.D., ended up top team at the championships with five gold and two bronze medals. It should also be noted that this is a very young team, which augurs well for the future. All in all, a glorious occasion for the club.
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