With the Athletics Ireland Indoor season getting an early start this year, it was off to the impressive Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena in Blanchardstown on Saturday last for Boyne ACs sprint group, with multi-talented thrower Euan Canniffe also in action.
Competing in the junior age category, Nina King Abor impressed over the 60m sprint, as she clocked a super 7.94s to finish 2nd in her heat, and progress to the final.
In a highly competitive final, Nina held her composure amongst some of the finest sprinting talent in Ireland today, and ran a speedy 7.99 to finish in 5th place a mere fraction behind the top 3 finishers.
At just 16yrs of age, Nina can compete at this level for another two years, and will surely be set to feature on the winner’s podium very soon.
Brother Leon ran 7.22 to finish 2nd in his heat and qualify for the final of the junior men’s race, but a pulled hamstring meant he could not race at his best, finishing 8th overall, hopefully a speedy recovery will set him up for his outdoor season.
A 7.27s clocking for the 60m sprint in his heat was not enough to secure qualification in the final for Sean Stratton, but no doubt he will come back fighting for his own age championships in February.
Finishing the day on a high, Euan Canniffe got his year off to a flying start, as he took home Bronze in the u23 men’s Shot Put. Having just returned from a warm weather training camp in Portugal, Euan certainly proved that the extra training is paying off as he threw 10.71m with the 7.26kg shot!
Boyne AC seniors were also in action on Saturday last in the beautiful surrounds of Donadea Forest Park, as they took part in the World Half Marathon Festival.
With a series of races held throughout the day, the 9am start saw Mark Dowling finish in 1.41.27, while Keith Smyth crossed the line in 1.44.
Nicky Veale ran a controlled steady pace to finish in 1.54.03, with clubmate Ola Raji finishing sub 2 hours, in 1.58.43. And in the 2pm race, Rob Fitzgerald was delighted with his 1.44 time, which saw him finish 9th overall.
