EOIN McNally is continuing his rise towards the elite of trampolining.
The Ballynoe teenager finished fourth in the Trampoline and Tumbling National Development Plans finals held recently in the Telford International Centre, near Birmingham.
Eoin, who won two Northern Ireland titles at the end of last year, was taking part in his first national final.
Competing in the Level 6 15+ category, he scoring 50.00, just missing out on a bronze medal by two marks.
Eoin performed his most difficult routine to date with a tariff of 6.3. His routine included one double somersault and a 1 ¾ somersault to land on his back before completing a 1 ¼ somersault with half twist to feet to end his routine.
This increase in difficulty marks a significant increase in tariff from his previous 5.3 routine and will go a long way to getting him into the Northern Ireland senior squad and on to the international circuit.
Eoin competes for The Trampoline Network club based in the Ballymote Sports and Wellbeing Centre, Downpatrick, and was one of only four competitors from Northern Ireland to reach the finals.
He qualified in eighth place in the regional qualifier in May and managed to jump up four places in the final.
He was competing on a Eurotramp Ultimate 4 x 4 trampoline, the first time he has been on the latest and most powerfully developed trampoline.
He has never even trained on this type of apparatus, which left him at a distinct disadvantage over his fellow competitors.
Head coach Graham Erskine said: “We will now be looking for a grant or sponsorship to buy the club a Eurotramp Ultimate. They cost about £7,000 but without this investment Eoin will always be at a disadvantage.
“He has potential to reach the top, but without elite equipment he is always going to be held back.”
The Trampoline Network runs training days throughout the summer and the new terms courses will commence in September. Contact Graham on 07968 702535.