Newcastle juniors shine on big stage

Newcastle juniors shine on big stage

10 April 2024

AS the indoor season nears an end, the 123.com Juvenile National Championships took place in Athlone at the weekend and after their success at the Ulsters, Harry McVeigh, Fiachna McAleenan and Maisie McVeigh, made the trip to the middle of the country to represent Newcastle AC in the TUC Arena.

Not a moment was missed by those back at home as the live-streaming ensured that no action on the track was missed in addition to the live results updates which were quickly processed and released for those hundreds of miles away to share in the excitement of this Athletics Ireland event.

There was no doubt across the weekend that those watching witnessed the future Olympians of Ireland as race after race, personal bests were smashed alongside some national records. 

In amongst them, the yellow and red vests of Newcastle AC toed the line to put their claim in. 

On Saturday, Maisie found herself amongst the best 60m sprinters at U-14 level across the whole island. 

Looking cool and calm on the start line it would have been hard to believe that Maisie only began indoor track running a few months previous. However, she had earned her place at All-Irelands after a strong performance to take third place in March at the NI and Ulster Championships. 

As the gun went, Maisie had come out of the blocks like a greyhound and powered up the straight with determination. She finished tenth overall with a PB of 8.53.

On Sunday, Harry toed the outside lane of the U-12 600m. He had expectations as the Ulster champion to bring something extra to the race. A busy start cost Harry the invaluable moments he needed to break free and get into his stride. 

As the second of three laps got underway, Harry had found the space he needed and began to claw his way back up the pack. 

As he dug deep in the final lap, he narrowed the lead but there just wasn’t enough metres for Harry to be in contention for a medal. 

A very solid fifth place overall and a personal best of 1.44, knocking three seconds off his time at Ulsters.  

Fiachna soon followed in the 800m heats and was up against some familiar faces including the current Ulster U-15 champion. 

Though this did not faze the young athlete as he put in a phenomenal race and found his legs moving a lot faster than normal. 

He came up the finishing straight like a bullet train to secure a personal best of 2.18 and beating the Ulster champion in the process. 

He finished 12th overall in the competition.

He was afforded a small break before he transitioned over to the 60m hurdles. Fiachna had qualified for all three events entered at Ulsters but opted to miss the high jump and focus on track on this occasion. 

He clearly possesses the skills as a multi-event participant to be more than just good at various events but to be in contention as the best in his age category. 

He glided over the hurdles and pushed hard in the closing stages to bag himself another personal best in 10.45 and 12th place overall. 

There is no doubt that each athlete gave 100 percent with a full house of personal best delivered on the biggest stage available in Irish athletics.

The club is exceptionally proud of their achievements and their example will continue to inspire and encourage other young people at grassroots level to aim to follow in their footsteps. 

With a new hoodie for the collection, it will sure come in handy as indoor season finishes and we move to Mary Peters Track for the outdoor track and field events. 

March parkrun update

March welcomed back the junior stalwarts of parkrun and also some first timers from our squad. 

It also saw Patrick McDaid claim the top spot two weeks in-a-row in addition to securing a new parkrun personal best of 17:38 at event 263.

Also seeing a phenomenal improvement in his parkrun time was Donal McDaid, who secured a 61 second PB at event 262 and the following week took another ten seconds off his time in 23.33. 

Clearly the relentless focus and hard work all clicked and Donal is reaping the benefits of it as we head into the summer season. 

Parkrun welcomed siblings Niamh and Ruaidhri Watson to their first parkruns and taking their first steps towards the first junior milestone of ten runs. 

Ruaidhri returned the following week after his first and went even faster completing the course in 25:56. 

Aoife Grant continued to edge closer each week to her 100th parkrun maintaining consistent times and even running alongside the younger junior members to support and encourage them further back in the field.

As the weather dries and sunnier Saturdays are hopefully on the way, we also welcome a new parkrun to the area at Montalto Estate. 

Making a fourth parkrun within the local area and a testament to the growing numbers of those attending the free event each week.