July has been a busy month for the talented group of Westport AC athletes who competed in the All-Ireland championships over two separate weekends in Tullamore.  Although the recent weather may have disappointed, sizzling performances from our athletes went some way to brightening up the summer.  A haul of nine All-Ireland medals was the reward for all the diligent work put in by athletes and coaches.  
The ever impressive Adam Sheridan showed his Connacht triple medal triumph was no flash in the pan by taking two gold and a silver at national level.   Sheridan won the U15’s shot and discus events and finished second in the hammer.  As if winning the gold medal was not enough, Sheridan’s winning throw for the shot was also a championship best performance and was over 1.5m further than his nearest challenger.  The future is indeed bright for this outstanding athlete.  
As Westport AC are fortunate to have many gifted athletes, the winning didn’t stop there.  Aoife O’Brien secured a gold medal in the U18 2000m steeplechase race and came home in a respectable 6th place in the 3000m.  Sorcha McAllister made it a club double in the steeplechase by taking gold in the U19 2000m event.  Looks like the many hours of hard work practicing hurdles paid off for these ladies.   In the 1500m, Westport AC U15 athlete Ethan Lloyd was desperately unlucky to miss out on gold with less than a second separating the front two competitors.  However, a silver medal at national stage is a remarkable achievement for this young athlete who only started running 2 years ago.   Another Westport athlete with a promising future.  
Westport AC’s magnificent accomplishments in the field events continued when Maggie Chambers and Laura Moran secured silver and bronze medals respectively in the U13 shot put.  A super double on the podium for the club.  Chambers also put in a strong showing in the javelin, an event she continues to improve in and is likely to prosper at in the future.  Harry Sheridan narrowly missed out on a medal with a fourth place finish in the U13 shot put only 15cm behind third place.  Sheridan also took 5th place in the javelin.  Another athlete who went agonisingly close to winning a medal was Kate O’Malley who lost out by a mere 5cm in the U17 shot put.   Both Sheridan and O’Malley should be proud of their achievements as they are within touching distance of future glory. 
Other Westport athletes who put in spirited performances were Leila O’Malley (U12 long jump and high jump), Lilas Houalet (U12 long jump), Roisin O’Brien (U13 600m) and Jack Maher (U17 1500m and 3000m).   All should be extremely pleased with their displays in competing strongly with the best athletes in the country.  
In the Juvenile B All-Ireland Championship, Sarah Mulroy won a bronze medal in the closely contested U12 long jump event where the top three were only separated by 5cm.  Eimhear Corduff also challenged tenaciously in the U14 100m.  Well done to both athletes.
A recent performance by Aoife O’Brien worthy of mention is her third place finish in the Tailteann Games 1500m steeplechase event on June 25th last.  Athletes represented their schools in this U17 age category for provincial honours.  O'Brien finished in 3rd position, earning the accolade of representing Ireland in a schools international in Kent, England where she came home in an impressive 5th place.  Hopefully the first of many appearances of wearing the Irish vest for O’Brien.