IN PICTURES: Strong medal haul for Laois athletics club at Leinster Indoor Championships

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Athletes from St Abban's AC delivered an outstanding set of performances on Days 3 and 4 of the Leinster Juvenile Indoor Championships at the TUS International Arena, claiming multiple medals and producing several personal bests across a busy programme of events. As with all Leinster competitions, medals are extremely hard earned, and the club’s athletes demonstrated great determination and pride while wearing the green, white and gold. SEE FULL REPORT BELOW FIRST PICTURE.

Leading the way on Day 3 of the championships were the gold medallists Elaine Miller and Rachel Harnett. Miller took top honours in the Girls U19 Long Jump with a leap of 4.91m, while Harnett sprinted to victory in the Girls U19 60m final in 8.52 seconds.

There was further success on the podium with five silver medals. Faye Brennan impressed in the Girls U15 60m, clocking 8.20 seconds to secure second place, while Lily O’Neill ran 7.95 seconds to claim silver in the Girls U16 60m final. Zoe Dunne produced a strong run to finish second in the Girls U16 400m (1:00.75), Kalem Buggy took silver in a competitive Boys U18 1500m (4:12.67), and Oran McCarthy added another runner-up finish in the Boys U14 Shot Putt with a throw of 9.43m.

Bronze medals were earned by Cara English in the Girls U18 400m (1:02.47) and Annabelle Lawlor in the Girls U19 1500m (5:08.64), rounding off an impressive medal tally.

There were also notable performances from athletes across the sprint, middle-distance, jumping, throwing and race walking events, highlighting the club’s strength in depth and strong juvenile development.

The club rounded off a hugely successful Leinster Juvenile Indoor Championships with another superb day of action on Day 4 at the TUS International Arena, bringing an already impressive weekend medal haul to even greater heights.

Day 4 belonged to Ava Brophy and Penelope McMahon, who combined for an extraordinary five gold medals. Brophy secured a remarkable treble in the Girls U12 category, striking gold in the Long Jump with a new Championship Record of 4.41m, before adding victories in the 60m Hurdles (10.28s) and 600m (1:52.46). McMahon delivered a double gold performance in the Girls U13 events, winning both the 60m Hurdles (9.95s) and 600m (1:49.33) in commanding fashion.

Zoe Dunne continued her excellent championship form by claiming her second and third medals of the weekend, taking silver in the Girls U16 60m Hurdles and bronze in the Long Jump, adding to her earlier 400m silver from Day 3.

There were further silver medals for Liam Doyle (Boys U13 600m), Sinéad Fitzpatrick (Girls U15 800m), Leo Smith (Boys U13 Shot Putt) and Roisin Kearney (Girls U14 Long Jump), while bronze medals were secured by Bailee Bolton (Girls U14 800m), Meabh Kearney (Girls U12 60m Hurdles), Kate Kelly (Girls U13 Shot Putt) and Leo Smith, who also claimed High Jump bronze.

Across the four days, the club amassed an outstanding tally of gold, silver and bronze medals spanning sprints, hurdles, middle distance, jumps and throws. Beyond the medals, the weekend showcased exceptional depth, with numerous athletes progressing through heats and finals, achieving personal bests and gaining invaluable championship experience, many competing at this level for the first time.

National Masters Cross Country Championships 

Well done to Dick Mullins on his win in the M80 (50th O65+) National Masters Cross Country Championships, which were held on Sunday.