Odyssey Indoors

John Kelly whacked out a second round 15-57m throw in his Ulster age group champs at the Odyssey an Irish recoed by a proverbial mile the previous mark stood at 13-61m and won the event by some 5m underlining where this young St Johnstone lad is in his early development as an impact athlete on the rise . John is a product of the Finn Valley primary school sports and the years ahead will be interesting as his coaching team of Dad John and NIall Wilkinson plot his course. THis weekend he flies over for the Scottish indoor champs with Blaithnaid Patton who on this ocassion went up to 1-49m a personal best in the high against a winning 1-52 so clearly she wil work with coach Sinead Mc Laughlin on going towards 1-55. Also travelling this weekend is Caoimhe Mc Menamin silver on Sat at 9m plus but is not going to be content until she hits 10m plus . Gavin Mc Laughlin another schools prodigy from St Bridgets ,Convoy collected gold in his age group shot .

Jade Leeper had her best day to date a reward for dedication a silver in shot . Additional medals Ian Brennan silver high jump a determined young man and a bronze for Blaithnaid in the long in addition to her high . No luck for the girls in relay and of course injury had ruled out Mark Bonner.

Pauric Mc Laughlin now a student at D I T qualified Saturday evening for the mens 1500m final and took his place with the big guns Sunday did everything absolutely right in his final was in the frame throughout put himself in good positions but despite a pb of 4-01 lost some ground on a ledal opportunity in the last 100m but he has to take strong encouragement from his run . Jeff Casin took in the walk but now based and working in Paris he needs to find an improvement for his 50k target . Highlight of the weekend from a Donegal point of view Mary Mc Loone a gold in the triple and an intelligent run from Mark English in the 800m at 16 years old to collect bronze in the 800m . Also note Brendan Boyce 20-20 for the 5k walk 4th .

THe 5k series got off to an encouraging start with the next opportunity on Feb 26th @ 7pm . Everyone welcome

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