AAI Junior Indoors 16/1/10

downthemiddle

Despite the promise of heat all self respecting brass monkeys were in hiding in Nenagh today. There were two small heaters at either end of the stadium but when the fuses blew, and the electronic timing failed, we quickly adjusted to the quirkiness that is Nenagh (although there were rumours of a strange man walking around naked outdoors, where it was warmer).

There were some promising early season performances although the small numbers in the distance races has to be a cause for concern. Only one athlete competed in the men's and women's 3,000 metres. The best race of the day was probably the men's 400m with Patrick Maher getting up on the line to pip Timmy Crowe in a photo finish. The women's 60m was also a close affair with Joan Healy edging Eilish Fitzpatrick by .03 of a second. Others to impress included Ed O'Halloran and Catherine McManus in the 60m hurdles, Steffi Creaner in the 200m and Claire Mooney in the 400m.

Results http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/junior-indoors-2010-1.pdf

Kiptanui

The distance races are rarely noteworthy at these championships. Normally the distance runners have a short break after the cross country season and are just back to preparing for the schools cross so no cause for concern there. The Junior Track and Field and the U19 races are a far better barometer to gauge participation and standards at that age.

It is concerning that Ed O'Halloran had only one rival in the hurdles. (As an aside, he was actually quicker in the corresponding race last year!! He was quicker on the flat today though).

I'm sure long jump enthusiasts would like to see a Ciaran McDonagh or even a Jonathon Kron. Kron Jumped well beyond 7m as an intermediate school boy, the U20's were half a metre down on that today. Timothy Harrington took gold last year and just managed bronze today, with both his and Nathan Jege silver medal effort down on their corresponding performances last year.
Catherine McManus, although seeming to impress was a long way off Sandra Lawlors run last year. Joan Healy ran well in the 60m. Its good to see competitions being held again

Jackie_Dazzler

dunno if this was reported yet but paul scanlan of leevale, the lad based in england, ran 48.90 on january 10th in lee valley and that was after rounds of 50.04 and 50.17. excellent running from him, and he's only 16!

Kiptanui

Jackie_Dazzler wrote: »

dunno if this was reported yet but paul scanlan of leevale, the lad based in england, ran 48.90 on january 10th in lee valley and that was after rounds of 50.04 and 50.17. excellent running from him, and he's only 16!

Yes it was. In both 2009 and 208 Paul Scanlan's PB's were in indoor races. He obviously produces his very best form indoors.

TrackFan123

What happened to Lorcan O'Cathain

Rineanna

Just a quick reminder, we've now put something in the charter regarding discussing and critiquing underage athletes' performances. Highlighting good marks is ok, but dissecting performances is not encouraged.

TrackFan123

Rineanna wrote: »

Just a quick reminder, we've now put something in the charter regarding discussing and critiquing underage athletes' performances. Highlighting good marks is ok, but dissecting performances is not encouraged.

I understand, and i wasnt criticising I just wanted to know if something was up, did he get injured? 28 seconds for 200 ...

thirtyfoot

Juniors in the majority are 18 and 19 so as per the charter I'd say they are ok to have discussions on?

Rineanna

Tingle wrote: »

Juniors in the majority are 18 and 19 so as per the charter I'd say they are ok to have discussions on?

Yep, fair point.

ChickenTikka

TrackFan123 wrote: »

I understand, and i wasnt criticising I just wanted to know if something was up, did he get injured? 28 seconds for 200 ...

He pulled up in the final with about 30m to go and jogged across the line. Results at http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/junior-indoors-2010-2.pdf record his heat time as 22.87, the fastest of the heats.

TrackFan123

ChickenTikka wrote: »

He pulled up in the final with about 30m to go and jogged across the line. Results at http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/junior-indoors-2010-2.pdf record his heat time as 22.87, the fastest of the heats.

What about his 60? Was that before?

thirtyfoot

Kiptanui wrote: »

It is concerning that Ed O'Halloran had only one rival in the hurdles.

That is not unusual. We have very little depth in hurdles. However, and here is a bit of a contradiction, we do have very good hurdlers without having depth. In the last two season we had Christine McMahon, Patrick Maher, Edmund O' Halloran, Sandra Lawlor, Brona Furlong, Tom Carey, Derval O' Rourke, Jessie Barr, Kalyn Sheehan and Michelle Carey qualify (or in P Mahers case get the standard but not get sent) to a relevant global or European champs (I probably missed someone). Its an event we can contend at globally in my opinion and if more thought/effort/structure/care was put into the events I believe we would have a lot more Dervals, Susan Smiths and Peter Coghlans knocking around the place. Too few kids get the chance to try them. Probably a facilities issue as well as it can take time but only a little knowledge is required. Sometimes it easier to let kids hammer around a field. Maybe we should start the 3 Hs - every kid over 15 must try the Hurdles, the High Jump and the Hammer at some stage:)

Must of those mentioned above will more than likely be racing solo when they race here in Ireland in their age group in any year. Maybe an effort to target the events could reap some dividends.

Throw in Mairead Murphy too, forgot her.

Rio 2016

Tingle wrote: »

That is not unusual. We have very little depth in hurdles. However, and here is a bit of a contradiction, we do have very good hurdlers without having depth. In the last two season we had Christine McMahon, Patrick Maher, Edmund O' Halloran, Sandra Lawlor, Brona Furlong, Tom Carey, Derval O' Rourke, Jessie Barr, Kalyn Sheehan and Michelle Carey qualify (or in P Mahers case get the standard but not get sent) to a relevant global or European champs (I probably missed someone). Its an event we can contend at globally in my opinion and if more thought/effort/structure/care was put into the events I believe we would have a lot more Dervals, Susan Smiths and Peter Coghlans knocking around the place. Too few kids get the chance to try them. Probably a facilities issue as well as it can take time but only a little knowledge is required. Sometimes it easier to let kids hammer around a field. Maybe we should start the 3 Hs - every kid over 15 must try the Hurdles, the High Jump and the Hammer at some stage:)

Must of those mentioned above will more than likely be racing solo when they race here in Ireland in their age group in any year. Maybe an effort to target the events could reap some dividends.

Throw in Mairead Murphy too, forgot her.

Whatever about the first two, the hammer should not be made compulsory and to be honest nobody should be forced to try something against their.

Although I woud agree that every teenager should be afforded the opportunity to try out these events, should they wish.

Trekkie Monster

It would also be good to give more athletes exposure to race walking, particularly the kids who like distance running. We have very strong coaches and elite walkers now (as the results show) and it's definitely an area to build on. Hopefully more coaches around the country will learn more about the event, teach their athletes good technique and give it a go.

ss43

Trekkie Monster wrote: »

It would also be good to give more athletes exposure to race walking, particularly the kids who like distance running. We have very strong coaches and elite walkers now (as the results show) and it's definitely an area to build on. Hopefully more coaches around the country will learn more about the event, teach their athletes good technique and give it a go.

I completely disagree. The less exposure walking gets the better. I would be disgusted at our already small distance pool being plundered to create walkers (or should that be runners as long as it looks like they're always in contact with the ground).

cickimc

ss43 wrote: »

I completely disagree. The less exposure walking gets the better. I would be disgusted at our already small distance pool being plundered to create walkers (or should that be runners as long as it looks like they're always in contact with the ground).

Not making too much sense their but people who usually bash racing usually dont make much sense!

That was a great idea that guy had about putting distance runners (who may just not be good enough to hack running) (pointless taking talented runners) and giving them ago at walking, there pretty similar part from anybody can run bit trickier to be a racewalker with thecnique aspect

As we have a strong walking squad at the moment (my opinion the strongest group in the country at the moment- as in olympians quality juniors

I see we the Irish could be much stronger in thecnical events maybe training a good sprinter into a hurdler!