Eleven Westport AC U9-U11 athletes travelled to Tullamore last Saturday to compete in the Woodie’s DIY All Ireland Outdoor Track and Field Championships.  The competition consists of a team of two athletes from each club competing together against all other clubs, where the teammate’s combined scores in each event determine their overall finishing position. All of the athletes who have reached the National finals have already been through tough county and provincial qualifying championships.

The first medal of the day went to the U10 girl’s long jump team of Leila O’Malley and Olivia Costello jumping their all-time best with a combined jump of 6.45m and winning a silver medal.  The next medals went to the U11 girls Turbo Javelin throwers, cousins, Emily Chambers and Maggie Chambers who threw brilliantly (38.93m combined) resulting in the silver medal for these girls.  Next up was the U11 boys Turbo Javelin team of Harry Sheridan and Niall McGreal who threw a combined 44.51m.  This was the third successive time Harry and Niall qualified for the All-Ireland team competition and their excellent throwing resulted in a long awaited and well deserved silver medal.

Other fine performances of the day came from Sarah Mulroy who teamed with Leila O’Malley in the U10 girls 60m coming in an impressive 7th place in 20.42secs, the U10 boys Turbo Javelin team of Ciarán Murphy and Tim Carty who came 5th with a combined throw of 30.50m, a fantastic achievement for the boys and Laura Moran who teamed up with Sophie Scahill running their hearts out in the U11 girls 600m coming 10th with a combined time of 4:14.62.

The next competition is the U12-U19 All-Ireland Championships which will be held in Tullamore on July 5th, 13th and July 26th/27th.

Maggie and Emily Chambers



Leila O'Malley and Olivia Costello



Niall McGreal and Harry Sheridan



Sarah Mulroy, Sophie Scahill, Laura Moran