Irish Life Health reaped the rewards of sticking with their partners over the weekend as the National Athletics Championships took place at the Sport Ireland Morton Stadium.
There were no supporters in the stands but the Television cameras were there from RTÉ and the Championships gained more national coverage than might have been expected in a summer packed full of sport than never materialised.
Paul Robinson won a thrilling finish in the men’s 1500m from Sean Tobin in one of the many highlights from Day two that were played out across the national broadcaster last night.
Sean Tobin had made a brave bid for victory from the gun and got a big gap on the field. Robinson had to eventually cover and reel him in which he did with 100m to go and it looked like Tobin’s fate was sealed. The Clonmel man responded with 50m to go and it was shoulder to shoulder to the finish – a lunge from Robinson got the win and years of frustration through injury were washed away.
Day 2 started with multi-event heroine, Kate O’Connor winning the javelin with 49.24m that also gave her the gold medal in the U23 age group.
O’Connor had a sharp turnaround for the high jump where Sommer Lecky continued her winning streak with a best of 1.79m – and U23 gold.
Phil Healy felt she was left in the blocks but her strength came through to win the women’s 100m in 11.71. Sarah Lavin came through strongly also for second in 11.83. Joan Healy ran 11.85 to edge Molly Scott who was an agonising fourth having led for the first half of the race and also finished on 11.85 but was slower in the thousandths of a second.
The Championships have taken place in individual sessions with no more than 200 athletes officials and coaches at the track at any one time.
It will continue next weekend with further sessions and further opportunity for Irish Life Health to get there message across.
