The Irish Universities Track & Field Championships in Santry on 15/16 April saw a number of Bandon A.C. members in action for their colleges. While the conditions at times were difficult with wind and rain featuring on both days there was still plenty of success stories.
Most of the excitement came on the track with the Healy sisters, Joan and Phil (both U.C.C.) providing plenty of talking points over the weekend. In the 100m sprint, Joan won Gold with Phil winning silver. Phil then set a new IUAA record of 23.93 in the 200m. In the relays Joan anchored the 4x100m team to silver but the main taking point from the weekend was the 4x400m relay. Phil was running the anchor leg for UCC and received the baton in 5th place and seemingly with no chance of making up the ground as the lead runners were well ahead. However Phil’s experience held to her as she ran an excellent leg and passed everyone ahead of her to take the victory on the line.
Laura McSweeney (UCC) won Gold in the Shot Putt and placed 4th in the Weight for Distance.
Bobby Smith (UCC) won Bronze in the Javelin. Patrick McSweeney (UCC) placed 5th in both the Shot Putt and in the Weight for Distance. Promise Okafor (CIT) placed 4th in the Triple Jump and 5th in the Long Jump. Roisin Howard (UL) placed 5th in the Shot Putt and 12th in the Javelin. Mark O’Sullivan (CIT) placed 6th in the 10,000m and Thomas McCarthy (IT Carlow) placed 13th in the 3,000m SteepleChase and 10th in the 800m semi final.
Well done to everyone involved, a number of these athletes will be on the Irish Universities team for an International in Scotland in May so wishing them the best of luck in that.