Records for Flannery, Clarke and O'Malley at Day One for Irish Schools Track and Field

by Perri Williams

Three records were broken at the All-Ireland Schools in Tullamore tonight. The 25 year old 3,000m senior boys race-walking record was smashed by Seamus Clarke (St. Muredachs College Ballina) when he broke twelve minutes for the first time, clocking 11:57.47, shaving 18 seconds off the existing record set by Olympian Colin Griffin back in 2000. Last years European u18 medallist, had an early race battle with Matthew Newell (Coláiste Bhaile Chláir). Swapping the leading position a few times, Clarke pushed ahead with three laps to go, gathering more speed with each lap. Newell finished second in 12:20.16 a new personal best. Galway based Newell will be eligible for this competition next year.

Caoimhe Flannery keeps getting better and better. The Skibbereen CC student, has already set a Munster record during her journey to these All-Irelands. Today, she pushed the boundaries further and dipped under 5 minutes to record a time of 4:56.02, knocking 5 seconds off the record set by Elenore Foot just last year. Flannery has won several Steeplechase All-Irelands and this is yet another gold to add to her collection.

The minor girls high jump record of 1.56 held in triplicate now belongs to Aoibhinn O’Malley (High Cross Tuam) as she cleared 1.58 on her first jump.

If there was one athlete who had the entire stadium standing to attention, it was Cillian Gleeson (Colaiste Chiarain Leixlip). The Leaving Cert student set out to break John Treacy’s 51 year old record in the 5,000m. Consistently on target, he dropped to a 70 second lap with 1,200m to go, paying the price for a faster 66 sec lap earlier on. The stadium was filled with encouragement. Despite picking up the pace over the final 1km, Gleeson came up just 2 seconds short of the 14.17 set by John Treacy back in 1974. The The Celbridge based athlete, had lapped every athlete in the field, some twice. Gleeson had to his credit completed a solo run from the start, whereas John Treacy had a battle on his had back 51 years ago. This augers well for Gleeson, who has already obtained the 3000m standard for this years u20 Europeans. 

Elsewhere, Diarmuid Moloney took the Senior Boys Steeplechase title, his first schools track and field title. Jacob Ciomek (HCF Rathcoole) was a decisive winner of the Inter boys steeplechase, as was Lucie Cawley in the Inter girls. 

Siblings Evan and Amy Walsh of Kilkenny scored a sibling double victory as Amy won the minor girls walk and Evan the inter boys. 

Niamh McGrath (Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore) was the only minor girl to exceed 5m. McGrath jumped 5.14m to take the gold from fellow Waterford Athlete Siofra Moloney (St Angela’s). Moloney also took silver in the high jump, which was won by Aoibhinn O’Malley (High Cross Tuam). The Tuam athlete recording a new championship record of 1.58, eclipsing the old one by 2cm.

Other notable performances were from Zak Fox (Belfast Royal Academy) who took the minor Long Jump title with a leap of 5.82m on his final jump. While Yvandri Kruger (St Mary’s Nenagh) was lying in third after her first three throws and produced a stunning 11.83 in her final round to take the title, a new personal best to boost. Robin Og Murphy (Longford) took the senior girls walk with Pearl Sands (Ballina) taking the inter girls.

Day 2 promises to bring more exciting action with plenty titles up for grabs and some very promising challenges across many events.