Laois athletes secure National Titles as 2023 track and field season draws to a close

St Abban's AC athletes John Delaney and Aoibhin McDonald both who won National titles in the 400m and Pole Vault respectively achieving new PBs in the process and a club record for Aoibhin.

John went behind in the early stages of his 400m but kept his nerve to make a move at 150m to go and take the title in a new Pb. Lily Brophy and Cormac Dineen were also in action on Saturday in the Javelin and Walk respectively. 

The 2023 juvenile T&F season came to a close on Sunday with Day 3 of the National Juvenile Championships taking place in Tullamore. A big well done to all our club athletes who were out competing. Stand out performances for the day came from Rachel Ayres and Holly Byrne who both PB'd and got bronze medals in the 1500m and Shot Putt respectively. Fionnan Brennan (Shot), Edon Nimani(Shot), Elaine Miller (Triple Jump), James Hyland (Hurdles) and Katie Baldwin (Long and Triple Jump) were also in action but just missed out on claiming medals. 

The club had this to say, "A massive thank you to all our club coaches who give up so much of their time/weekends over the course of the summer. It's greatly appreciated!"

Day 1 results: 

U14 Girls Javelin, Lily Brophy 14th 18.71m

U16 Boys 3000m Walk, Cormac Dineen 5th 22:23.69

U17 Boys 400m, John Delaney 2nd (H2) 51.89, 1st 51.13 (PB)

U19 Girls Pole Vault, Aoibhin McDonald1st 3.00m (PB / Club Record)
U19 Girls Javelin, Aoibhin McDonald 5th 23.39m

Day 2 Results: 
                         
U15 Boys Shot Putt, Fionnan Brennan 8th 12.60m, Edon Nimani 6th 12.78m (PB)

U16 Girls Triple Jump, Elaine Miller 4th 9.80m

U16 Boys 250m Hurdles, James Hyland 3rd (H1) 37.93 (Q), (F) 5th 38.46

U17 Girls 1500m, Rachel Ayers 3rd 4:44.17 (PB)

U18 Girls Long Jump, Katie Baldwin 9th 4.44m
U18 Girls Triple Jump, Katie Baldwin 4th  10.04m
U18 Girls Shot Putt, Holly Byrne  3rd 10.62m (PB)

Fit4life League 

The final stage of the Fit4Life League took place on Wednesday last at the track in Monevea. Brian Kelly led the field home in 12:45 while Niamh Staunton was First Lady home. Overall, David Mcevoy took the victory across 6 stages of the league with Grace Reilly claiming the female prize. 

"A huge thank you to all who have helped to organise each of the stages of the league. It is a huge undertaking for the club and wouldn’t happen without all the volunteers across each of the stages.

"Finally a huge thank you to Pauline Lawlor who coordinated the whole league throughout the summer months."