Laois athletes jump to gold at National Track & Field Championships
St Abban’s pair Daena Kealy and Ruby Millet won gold medals in Santry
The National Senior Track & Field Championships proved to be a weekend to remember as St Abban’s Athletic Club celebrated an outstanding medal haul of four national medals, two gold, one silver and one bronze, with the inspirational comeback stories of Daena Kealy and Ruby Millet providing the defining moments of the championships.
Both athletes returned to the top of Irish athletics after long and difficult injury lay-offs, producing championship-winning performances that were as emotional as they were impressive.
On the opening day, Daena Kealy announced her return spectacularly by claiming the Women's High Jump title. Clearing a superb 1.87m, Kealy not only secured the national crown but also recorded a new personal best, a National Leading mark and moved into sixth place on the Irish all-time rankings.
If Daena's victory was inspirational, Ruby Millet's triumph on Day Two was equally extraordinary. Returning after almost three years battling back from a serious injury, Millet produced one of the performances of the championships to capture the Women's Long Jump title with a sensational personal best of 6.47m.
Anyone who witnessed Ruby's journey over recent years will appreciate the significance of the achievement. Through countless hours of rehabilitation, setbacks and unwavering commitment, she never lost sight of her goal. To return by producing a lifetime best and claiming the national title was a remarkable testament to her courage, perseverance and belief.
Saragh Buggy once again demonstrated why she remains one of Ireland's most dependable championship performers, claiming silver in the Women's Triple Jump with a season's best leap of 12.47m.
Gerard Kelly also secured the first National Senior Championship medal of his career by taking bronze in the Men's 56lb Weight for Height with an excellent throw of 3.20m. Kelly also competed strongly throughout the weekend, placing eighth in the Hammer (45.56m) and fifth in the 56lb Weight for Distance (5.84m).
The club enjoyed a host of other impressive performances across the two days.
Emily O'Shea ran 2:13.81 to finish fourth in her Women's 800m heat, while Eoghan Buggy clocked 49.95 seconds in the Men's 400m. Cian Kelly finished second in his Men's 800m heat in 1:54.26, with John Delaney recording 1:55.47 in his heat. Matthew Rossiter impressed in both the Men's Javelin, where he placed fifth with 51.01m, and the Pole Vault, finishing fourth after clearing 4.15m. Aoibhin McDonald placed sixth in the Women's Pole Vault with a clearance of 3.05m, while Grace Fitzgerald finished ninth in the Women's Long Jump with 5.44m