Leinster Schools Day 2

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5686de32a12f44306f7d3586/1495386052605-47L9BHG1XJNF253QOXY9/hurdlers" alt="hurdlers" /> The Leinster Schools Track & Field Championships Day 2 in Santry on Saturday, once again featured gold medal performances from D.S.D. athletes, representing their schools. Double gold was scored by Ciarán Carthy (Intermediate) in two of the toughest events on the day, 400m and 400m hurdles. Ciarán sailed through the first event, the 400mH., winning easily in 58.61, and then had the physical strength and character to win the 400m later in the day, in a PB 50.95. In the middle and long distance races D.S.D athletes were in dominant mood. Jodie McCann (Senior) followed her great run in Solihull last week (1500m) 4.26.24, with a comprehensive sprint to victory over the last 300m. Abbie Taylor led from the gun in the Intermediate 3,000m, in wet & windy conditions throughout the race. Abbie never seemed to move from second gear and did not let the conditions deter her, winning by a large margin, in 10.15.59. Niamh Carey (Senior) had perhaps the hardest race of the day, as she clung to the leader, Izzy Carron, who was returning to top form. Niamh had to wait until the final 50m to produce a great sprint to the line, which guaranteed gold and qualification to the All-Ireland Schools on the 4th June, with a time of 10.20.13. Niamh Gowing (Senior), following her 3rd place in the 100m hurdles, would not be denied in the 400m hurdles, as she led from the gun to the tape. Niamh’s fluent hurdling style allowed her to coast home over the last hurdle in 64.24. James Maguire, who is under age again next year, was not daunted by the task in hand in the Senior Boys 1500m, as he sprinted to the front with 500m to go. He ran out of steam in the finishing straight but managed to qualify for the All-Irelands in 3rd place, in 4.03.26. Seamus Fenton caused a huge upset in the 200m Inter Boys, as he tore through the first 150m with a five metre lead into the finishing straight. The favorite, Joseph Finnegan Murphy, who won the 100m earlier in the day, closed up over the last 50m, but Seamus had sufficient in hand to hold on for victory in 23.17, with 4th in the 100m 11.88. Mollie O’Reilly took her place in lane 7 of the Senior Girl’s 400m, despite missing training over the past month due to knee injury. She showed her usual great strength of character, as she led for most of the race, only running into oxygen debt over the final 60m, and holding on for 2nd place in 56.15, to qualify for All-Ireland Schools. James Holden, who makes the senior 400m again next year, ran a PB while finishing 3rd in 49.79. Second in the Inter Boys 1500m Steeplechase was Aaron Donnelly, in 4.41. Molly Hourihan jumped 5.43, for 2nd place, in the Intermediate Long Jump and was 3rd in the 200m in 26.26, and 2nd in the High Jump was Tai Daly in 1.55. Grace Dervan was 2nd in the 1500m in 4.56.67. David Dagg was 3rd in the 400m hurdles in 58.34. In 4th place we saw: Ruth Ann Shannon Inter 300mH 47.40; Conor Halpin Senior 5,000m 16.20.89; Aisling King Senior 3000m 10.46.62; Ailbhe Kenny Sen.T.Jump 9.35, and Liam Jenkins 6th H.Jump 1.70. Well done to all!
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<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5686de32a12f44306f7d3586/1495394722056-UELDKZGXAFFCYT5I1B7U/image-asset.jpeg" alt="" />
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5686de32a12f44306f7d3586/1495404017064-67OWZY1VMQV2ODCFX79K/image-asset.jpeg" alt="" /> Thanks to Steven Dagg for most of the great photos shown above.