HIGHLIGHTS: Abdel Laadjel 11th of 23 in European Under 20 Championships 5,000m final. Brilliant sprint double for Aoife Lynch in the Malta International Meet. Ruby Blake gold in U12 Shot Putt in Dublin Juvenile Championships, as 2 more silver and 4 more bronze are added to the club’s medal tally. Honor Lynch 1st in IMRA junior short course trial.
REPORT: Abdel Laadjel had to settle for 11th place in the 5,000m final at the EUROPEAN UNDER 20 CHAMPIONSHIPS at Tallinn, Estonia on Friday (16.07.2021). In a big field of 23 starters and in searing 29° heat, it proved to be a huge learning experience for the 17-year-old Donore Harriers athlete.
Laadjel ran the first 10 and a-half laps in a front group of 12 to 14 athletes, with the leaders holding a moderate 3-minute per km pace in the opening 3km. Just after halfway the young Donore star briefly moved up to 3rd place but was quickly relegated back into the pack by the current of opposition.
A 2.53 fourth kilometre saw a couple of athletes lose ground on the leading group. The business end of the race happened with two laps remaining. The leaders picked up the pace again and this time Laadjel was unable to respond. The race was won by Joel Lilleso (14.32.93) of Denmark, ahead of David Cantero (14.33.55) of Spain. Laadjel recorded a time of 14.50.07. There were two other Irish competitors in the race, with Dean Casey from the Ennis Track 6th in 14.40.74 and Callum Morgan (St. Malachy’s AC) 21st in 15.15.52. A pragmatic Abdel, who was competing at European level for the first time, said afterwards: “I am not going to beat myself up too much. I was there to get a medal, but I missed a lot of work. It was very competitive, another level. I will learn from the experience”.
Sprinter Aoife Lynch continued her excellent summer season with a double victory in the 100m and 200m at the EAP MALTA INTERNATIONAL MEET at Marsa, Malta on Saturday (17.07.2021). She was a convincing winner over 200m in the time of 24.66 ahead of nearest rival Sarah Busuttil (25.28) from the local Pembroke AC Malta club. Lynch then won a keenly contested 100m race in 11.74 – her 2nd fastest time – holding out the challenge of her Irish relay colleague Lauren Roy (11.83) from the City of Lisburn club. Another improving Donore Harriers athlete Eva McPartlan (12.49) came 7th in the same race recording a massive new personal best time.
The DUBLIN JUVENILE TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS continued with 3 more sessions. On Day 9 at Tallaght on Thursday evening (15.07.2021) Amber Lynch (11.92m) picked up a bronze medal in the Javelin.
Days 10 and 11 were held at Santry on Friday evening and Saturday (16 & 17.07.2021). On Friday, Ruby Blake won the Under 12 Girls Shot Putt, with Roisin Kirby picking up a bronze medal in the Under 15 SP contest. Five newcomers competed in the Heats of the 500 metres in the Under 10 age grade. Lola Blake came 6th in Heat 1, Ciara Jackson 9th in Heat 2, and Zara Kelligher 8th in Heat 3. In the Boys, Tony Glaholm came 10th in Heat 1 and Max Henleywillis 9th in Heat 2.
In Saturday’s action Roisin Kirby (4.60m) came 2nd in the Under 15 Girls Long Jump with a personal best of 4.60m. Bobby Amandi missed out on a gold medal by just one centimetre in the Under 18 Boys Long Jump. His best effort of 5.58m was edged out by a Clonliffe Harriers athlete who managed a jump of 5.59m.
Joyce Bakanabo in the Under 19 Girls Long Jump and Fiona Jackson in the Under 12 250m Hurdles won bronze medals. Annabela Omozee narrowly missed out on bronze in the Under 11 Girls 600m, having to settle for 4th place after qualifying 2nd from the heat.
Eimear Finn (4.47m) came 6th in the Under 17 Girls Long Jump, as Isabella Jackson was unable to complete her Under 15 Girls 250m Hurdles race.
The IRISH MOUNTAIL RUNNING ASSOCIATION Junior Trials for the forthcoming British & Irish International took place at Mount Camaderry, near Brockagh in Co. Wicklow on Saturday morning (17.07.2021). In very hot and humid conditions Oliver Hopkins, the 2020 All Ireland Schools Junior Grade Champion, was forced to stop with breathing difficulties whilst competing for a top 3 position. He eventually had to settle for 7th in 27.36.
Honor Lynch, stepping up a year, won the Under 17 Girls short course category in 30.11. This was a fine performance considering that she missed so much training in the last 2 years due to injury. Laura Nunan retired from the Junior Girls Long Course.
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EUROPEAN UNDER 20 CHAMPIONSHIPS at Kadriogh Stadium, Tallinn
(DAY 2 – 16.07.2021)
Men’s 5,000m Final: 11th Abdel Laadjel (14.50.07)
EAP MALTA INTERNATIONAL MEET at Marsa, Malta (17.07.2021)
Women’s 100m:1st Aoife Lynch (11.74), 7th Eva McPartlan (12.49 PB)
Women’s 200m: 1st Aoife Lynch (24.66)
DUBLIN JUVENILE TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS Day 9 at Tallaght (15.07.2021)
Under 13 Girls Javelin: 3rd Amber Lynch (11.92m)
DUBLIN JUVENILE TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS Day 10 at Santry (16.07.2021)
Under 10 Girls 500m Heat 1: 6th Lola Blake
Under 10 Girls 500m Heat 2: 9th Ciara Jackson
Under 10 Girls 500m Heat 3: 8th Zara Kelligher
Under 10 Boys 500m Heat 1: 10th Tony Glaholm
Under 10 Boys 500m Heat 2: 9th Max Henleywillis
Under 12 Girls Shot Putt Final: 1st Ruby Blake
Under 15 Girls Shot Putt Final: 3rd Roisin Kirby
DUBLIN JUVENILE TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS Day 11 at Santry (17.07.2021)
Under 11 Girls 600m Final: 4th Annabela Omozee (qualified 2nd from heat)
Under 12 Girls 250m Hurdles Final: 3rd Fiona Jackson
Under 15 Girls 250m Hurdles Final: DNF Isabella Jackson
Under 15 Girls Long Jump Final: 2nd Roisin Kirby (4.60m PB)
Under 17 Girls Long Jump Final: 6th Eimear Finn (4.47m)
Under 19 Girls Long Jump Final: 3rd Joyce Bakanabo
Under 18 Boys Shot Long Jump: 2nd Bobby Amandi (5.58m)
IRISH MOUNTAIN RUNNING ASSOCIATION British & Irish Junior Trials at Camaderry (17.07.2021)
Junior Girls Short Course: 1st Honor Lynch (30.11)
Junior Girls Long Course: DNF Laura Nunan
Junior Boys Short Course: 7th Oliver Hopkins (27.36)
