Lindie Naughton reports on other successful weekend for Irish athletes, with those in Tallinn leading the way. 

In the space of an hour and a half on Saturday (July 17), Ireland won three gold medals at the European U20 Track and Field Champions in Tallinn Estona.

First up in the women’s 200m final  was Rhasidat Adeleke, of Tallaght AC in Dublin, who had already won the 100m a day earlier.  Not only did Adeleke win the race at a canter, she set a new Irish record of 22.90 secs.

About 35 minutes later it was the turn of Cian McPhillips  from Longford AC in the men’s 1500m.

In a tough race, McPhillips, who was lying eighth with 300m to go, pushed hard to win in 3:46.55. “I could  actually see the shadows of the guys coming after me, but luckily I had a little extra to allow me to finish first. I’m still a bit schocked that I managed to pull it off,” said McPhillips after his win.

Finally, Nicholas Griggs of Mid-Ulster AC, aged only sixteen, ran an assured race in the men’s 3000m to take the gold with a time of 8:17.18. “Of course, when I saw the other guys winning, I wanted to show something similiar. But in the end, I just did my job and focused on my race. I knew I had enough power to win a gold,” said Griggs.

It meant that for a few hours, Ireland, with only three medals in total from these championships in previous years,  would briefly top the medals table, ending up third overall behind  Great Britain and Germany.

Yared aces it!

On the roads, Yared Derese of Carrick Aces was back in action  racing away from the field at the Glaslough Harriers 10km in Co Monaghan on Sunday (July 18).

On a challenging course in exceptionally warm conditions, Derese’s time of  30 mins 13 secs  saw him finish almost two minutes clear of the field. Second was Eoin Mullan  of Omagh Harriers in 32:11. In a well spread out race, Kieran Sherlock of Monaghan Town Runners was third in 33:42.

The veteran Donna Evans of Clones AC was first woman  in 41:04, followed by Irene Clements of 1 Zero 1 in 41:22 and Anne O’Rourke of Carrick Aces in 42:03. On a good day for Carrick Aces, Darragh Scott was first M40 and Liam Ryan first M50.

The Zak Hanna show continues

In Kerry, international orienteeer, Ruari Long of UCD AC was the winner of the Reeks Skyline on Saturday (July 17) clocking  3 hrs 50 mins 37 sec for the 24km distance with a savage 2,400m climb. Simon Duggan from Cork was second in 4:17.46 and Gavin Byrne from Dublin third in 4:19.25. Rosy Temple from Dublin was first woman in 5:42.58.

Abroad, Zak Hanna of Newcastle and District was also tackling a longer distance and finished  32nd in the Dolomyths Run in Canazei, Italy, on Sunday (July 18). His time was 2 hrs 4 mins 56 secs.  Leading home the 572 entry was Stian Angermund of Norway in 1:51.36. The 22km race, which included 1,700m of vertical climb, is part  of the Golden Trail World Series.

Winner of the British and Irish Junior Trial at Camaderry, Co Wicklow on Saturday (July 17) was Aaron Smith from Co Meath in a time of 33 mins 50 secs fro the 5km distance with 500m of  climb. Jack McMahon of Ballyroan and District was second in 33.50  and Niamh Bose from Donel third and first woman in 34:18.

The Leinster mid-week league continues in Co Wicklow and at the 10.6km “Ayling Abyss” race at Djouce on Wednesday (July 14),  Karol Cronin of Sportsworld was the winner in 52 mins 28 secs, with Edna Cloake of Slaney Olympic a close  second in 52:37 and Barry Minnock third and first M45 in 53:01.

Sarah Brady was first woman in 65:23, followed by Caroline Harney in 68:02 and Ciara Largey in 68:08. Finishing a shorter course was Caitlin Bent, one of the pioneers of Irish mountain running, who’s now in the W75 age group.