DSD Masters at the 2024 European Indoors

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