Eoin up, up and away

Eoin up, up and away

17 December 2014

WHAT a fantastic weekend. Ben Haenow won the X Factor, Lewis Hamilton won Sports Personality of the Year and best of all local lad Eoin McNally won two gold medals in Northern Ireland Trampoline championship events.

Eoin, from Ballynoe, near Downpatrick, pulled off a unique double by winning the Northern Ireland Championship and the Northern Ireland Schools’ Championships.

Following success in previous years at novice, intermediate and advanced levels at the Northern Ireland Championships, Eoin competed for the first time nationally in the regional category, in the U-15 section, and won gold with his highest score ever.

The following day he competed at the Intermediate level in the in the Northern Ireland Schools’ Championships and took gold in the U-14 event. His tremendous success in one eventful weekend sets Eoin up for next season when he travels to England to compete in UK events.

His achievements on Sunday also qualified him for the UK Northern Zonal Schools’ competition to be held at Ards Leisure Centre on January 31. If Eoin comes in the top three at this event he goes on to represent Northern Ireland in the UK final.

Eoin is a member of The Trampoline Network which trains at the Ballymote Sports and Well-being Centre, Downpatrick.

Fellow team-mates from The Trampoline Network also performed well over the weekend.

Anna Boe came fourth on Saturday at the Northern Ireland Championships in the U-15s at advanced Level and achieved one place better to take the bronze medal on Sunday in the U-19 intermediate level at the Northern Ireland Schools’ Championships.

This is Anna’s first year in this age group and the result bodes well as she has three more years to improve at this level. Anna also qualifies for the UK Northern Zonal Championships.

On Saturday the club’s third member, Rachel Crowe, competed at novice level and finished eighth in the U-11 age group. This was no mean feat considering she only qualified two months earlier in her first ever trampoline competition. Rachel is one to watch.

Trampolining is an Olympic sport and all club members will be setting their sights on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The Trampoline Network is looking for new members at beginner level and hopes to spot and train talented trampolinist of the future. Head coach Graham Erskine can be contacted on 07968 702535.