NI VETERANS

Dave McKibbin

The championships at the Mary Peters track attracted a good entry with a big response from the South with athletes coming from as far afield as Kerry, Cork and Kilkenny.

Geraldine Finnegan showed her versatility with W35 victories at 100 metres, high jump, long jump and shot and could have taken the 200 and hurdles had she competed.

Alan McCullough celebrated his arrival in the masters class with a comprehensive win in the 5000 metres. The Willowfield athlete led for every step of the way to record 15 minutes 22.00, almost a minute clear of the battling Declan McCarthy and Richard Rodgers.

Former champion Don McBride showed that he still retains a touch of class with an M60 sprint double in determined fashion.

Finn Valley athlete Bosco Reid had an M45 four timer at shot, discus, javelin and hammer while Padraig Maye from Sligo had wins in M65 long and triple jump and javelin.

Jim O’Shea from Farranfore struck M60 gold in high jump, hurdles and long jump and had silvers in javelin and 100 and 200 metres.

European gold medallist Philip McIlfatrick had comfortable successes in hurdles and long jump running 15.52 over the barriers.

There were doubles for Jimmy Harris at M55 400 and 800 metres and Sheelagh Bodkin at W35 800 and 1500 while Karen Marshall had a top class W50 womens 5000 run.

Albert Mack took a break from officiating and scored wins in M65 shot, discus and hammer and was second at javelin.

All in all the meeting was one of the most successful in the series.