[Not a valid template]In parallel rounds on Sunday at Tullamore and Santry, the 2013 opening round of the Woodies DIY National Track & Field League took place. North Down were at Santry and were one of the tiny handful of clubs with both mens and womens teams in the elite Premier Divisions. The mens’ versatility enabled them to accommodate some late withdrawals and the women took the opportunity to blood half a dozen youngsters who brought lots of what youngsters always bring – enthusiasm
Brendan McConville enjoyed a winning start to the day, clocking 16.27secs to win the 110m hurdles. In the ladies 100m hurdles, Clare Robinson (16.03secs) finished in 2nd place in a race won by Ferrybank AC’s double National Indoor Champion Kelly Proper in 14.48secs. John Saulters was 5th in the 100m in 11.66secs while Mollie Brett clocked 13.23secs for 5th. In the men’s 200m race, Adam McComb was 4th in 23.01 and then went on to win the 400m race in 48.61secs, obliterating the North Down club record. Elleana Hull was was up against strong opposition in the ladies 200m race, but ran well in 27.44 for 6th. In her first time over 400m Ellen Robinson ran a good 64.46.
Michael Dyer had an impressive victory in the men’s 800m race, clocking 1:58.45, after earlier just missing out at 1500m on 4:03.63 to Clonliffes’s Ian Guiden. James Budde had a well-deserved 2nd at 3000m steeplechase in 10:04.02. Apart from Stephanie Hambling who did 11:59.58 min at 3000m and 14:31.08 min in the walk, the girls sorely missed their middle distance runners and did not contest 800m or 1500m.
Ladies Captain Kathy Hetherington had a brilliant double with win at shot in a pb of 10.42m and a contentious 39.65m at discus which looked further. Sophie Cree threw the javelin 27.07m for 4th and Emma Stockton threw hammer 14.95m. Alex Catherwood was 2nd on countback with 1.60m in a high jump in which the use of a pole vault crossbar affected everyone’s run-up. Laura Saulters had a good 2nd at triple jump with 10.93m and long jumped 4.35m.
In the mens’ field events Brendan McConville added 2 more 2nd places with 4.50m at pole vault and 35.47m at discus while Pete Glass was 2nd at javelin and 3rd at high jump (50.59m and 1.80m), saving his running for the relays. At shot Mens Captain Kenny Elliott threw 9.27m for 7th, Brendan who had used up his allocated events, guesting with 11.95m. In his only pre-relay event Callum Hunter long jumped 5.74m. Paddy McGrattan had a useful 2nd at the 56lb weight with 5.99m and threw the hammer 27.78m for 5th.
[Not a valid template]In the 40x 100m, the Glenlola quartette of Elleana, Ellen, Sarah Connolly and Molly prepared for next week’s Irish Schools by lining up agaist many of Ireland’s finest. They were a very creditable 4th in 50.57 sec. The mens’ relay was sadder. Brendan, Pete, John and Callum ran well and looked an unmissable 2nd to Clonliffe 10m from the line. That’s when Callum’s hamstring went leaving him busted and the team in 6th.
The iconic 4 x 400m relay always ends the programme and usually defines a team’s performance. The girls put forward an 80m hurdler, two short sprinters and a javelin thrower, none of whom had run anything close to 400m. The girls were told they were not expected to win and to keep something in reserve. Sarah didn’t listen. She went off at full speed causing apprehension in the stands. She just ran through to the finish to put the team in the lead. Elleana, Sophie and Molly battled on doggedly and had a great 6th in 4:40.17. The men were class. Pete started and was in 3rd, Brendan took it to 2nd, Kenny took them into the leaded and handed on to the new club 400m record holder. Adam just blew the race out of the water to finish 4 secs ahead in 4:23.88.
Full Results: Woodie’s DIY National League Round 1 Santry – Tullamore – Overall Round 1 Team Totals
Preliminary results indicate that North Down men were 3rd in Santry behind Clonliffe Harriers and Menapians with only Leevale having a higher score in the Tullamore group so they lie 4th overall. The girls were 7th in Santry and 10th overall but only 7½ points away from the 8th qualifying position so there will be all to play for at Sligo in the next round on Sun 14th July.