Preview for this weekend's Tailteann interpros

Added: 21-06-2012

Following the success of the Aviva Irish Schools’ Track & Field Championships on the 2nd of June, this Saturday (23rd of June) sees the Aviva Tailteann Interprovincial held in Morton Stadium, Santry, starting at 11.30am. The competition is a match between the best Under 17 athletes from each of the four provinces. It also acts as a trial for the forthcoming Aviva Schools’ Track and Field International, which is scheduled to take place in Ashford, Kent on Saturday 21st of July 2012.

As usual there will be a great day’s athletics in store for the spectators. In the Girls’ events we can expect some great competition as we have a number of outstanding young talents at this age group. In the 100m and 200m events Grace Lawlor (Presentation College Carlow) and Roisin Harrison (Villiers School, Limerick) are set to do battle in what could prove to be one of the closest finishes of the day.

Alanna Lally (Presentation Athenry) was a very impressive winner at the recent Aviva Irish Schools’ Track and Field Championships when storming to victory over 300m. Lally chases a challenging 300m and 800m double on Saturday and if conditions are right may get close to the championships best of 2.07.78 for 800m held by Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (Colaiste Iosagain). Others likely to impress in the middle distances events are Nadia Power (St. Mac Dara C.C), Jessica Coyne (Cresent Col), Linda Conroy (Mercy Kilbeggan) and Yasmin Wislon (Ballyclare HS), all of which have had great seasons so far.

In the field events, watch out for the fast improving Alice Akers (Scariff CC) who will be the favorite to take the hammer title. Akers set a championship best of 48.22m at the recent All Ireland Schools signifying that another record could be on the cards for Saturday. Shannon Dalkins (St. Mary’s New Ross) will aim to capture the high jump title while Annie Stafford (Loreto Wexford) will do likewise in the long jump.

In the Boys’ events the 100m is shaping up to be one of the closest battles of the day. Dean Power (Killina Sec. School), Zac Irwin (Sligo Grammar) and Joseph Ojewuni (Deansrath School) should all be in contention.

In the middle distance events watch out for Conal Kirk (Sullivan Upper), Jack O’Leary (Clongowes Wood College), and Cillian O’Donovan (Col. Na Sceilge) as they vie for honors in the 1500m and 3000m events.

Jamie Murtagh (Ashbourne C.S) and David Cussen (Col An Spioraid Naoimh Cork) both cleared 1.97m at the Irish Schools high jump. With both athlete so closely matched a great competition is in store for Saturday. Stephan Rice (Wesley College) threw over 50m in the javelin at the Irish Schools and will be hard to beat, likely challengers on the day include John Kelly (Royal and Prior Raphoe) and Robert Sullivan (Bandon Grammar School)

An exciting day’s athletics is in prospect in Santry this Saturday (23rd of June) where the next generation of Ireland’s young athletes will be on view.