News

Team Ireland took home a huge haul of 62 Medals (23 Gold, 18 Silver and 21 Bronze) from the Masters European Championships which took place in Torun, Poland from 17th-23rd March.

Ireland finished up an excellent 7th on the overall medal table out of 38 countries competing.

John McDermott of Sligo AC (M80 category) won triple Gold in 400m in a new European Record of 71.08 seconds (at age 80!); 60h Hurdles and Pentathlon.

Rachel Akers of Ennis Track (W35) also won triple Gold in Hammer, Discus and Weight Throw.

The indomitable Ann Woodlock from Donore Harriers (W85) won double Gold in the 1,500m and the 3,000m.

Annette Kealy of Raheny (W55) won double Gold in dominant fashion in both the 3000m on the track and in the 8k Cross-country.

Joe Gough from West Waterford also won double Gold in the 800m (where he set a new European record of 2.23.41 in a masterclass of tactical 800m running) and the 1500m.

Maggie (W50) and John O’Connor (M55) both of Enniscorthy AC, had the distinction of being the first husband and wife combination on a Mixed 4x200m relay team (along with team-mates  David Stewart (City of Derry) and Carol Kearney (Lucan Harriers).

Full list of Irish medal winners:

Gold

• Rachel Akers – Ennis Track (W35) x 3 – Hammer, Discus, Weight Throw
• Ann Woodlock – Donore Harriers (W85) x 2 – 1500m and 3000m
• Annette Kealy – Raheny (W55) x 2 – 3000m and 8k Cross-country
• Edel Maguire – Clonliffe (W60) – 400m
• Dee Collins – Ennis Track (W35) – Marathon
• Catherine O’Connor – Sli Cualann (W45) – Marathon
• Mary Slocum – Ward Park (W60) – Marathon
• Fiona Gettings – Longford (W40) – 8k Cross-country
• Team (W55) – Annette Kealy – Raheny, Carmel Crowley – Bandon, Kay Byrne – Finn Valley
• John MacDermott – Sligo AC (M80) x 3 – 400m, 60mH and Pentathlon
• Joe Gough – West Waterford (M70) x 2 – 800m & 1500m
• Martin McEvilly – Galway City Harriers (M75) – 6k Cross-country
• Brian Lynch – North East Runners (M70) – 6k Cross-country
• Declan Toal – North East Runners and Dublin Track Club – 8k Cross-country
• Team (M75) – Martin McEvilly – Galway City Harriers, Richard Mullins – St Abbans, Sean McMullin (Mullingar)
• Team (M70) – Michael O’Connor – Farranfore Maine Valley, Sean McMullin – Mullingar Harriers, David Kissane – St Brendan’s AC

Silver

• Fiona Gettings – Longford (W40) – 3000m
• Catriona Devine – Finn Valley (W50) – 1500m
• Michelle Cox – Newbridge (W40) – 8k Cross-country
• Breda Gaffney – Mallow (W50) – 8k Cross-country
• Sinead McConnell – Finn Valley (W55) x 2 – 3000m Walk and 5000m Walk (Road)
• Mary Barrett – Loughrea (W65) – Shot Put
• Team (W40) – Fionna Gettings – Longford, Michelle Cox – Newbridge, Aoife Parella (Star of the Sea) – 8k Cross-country
• Team (W45) – Catherine O’Connor – Sli Cualann, Annmarie Kenny – Parnell AC , Mary Slocum – Ward Park – Marathon
• Team (Mixed 60) – Shane Sheridan – DSD, Edel Maguire – Clonliffe, Tim Ryan – Dooneen AC, Finola Moore – Celbridge
• Kieran Kelly – Raheny (M35) – 1500m
• Conor Curran – North Belfast Harriers – 1500m
• Brian Lynch – North East Runners (M70) – 3000m
• Francois Kulik – Sli Cualann (M40) – High Jump
• Jim O’Shea – Farranfore Maine Valley (M80) – Long Jump
• Michael O’Connor – Farranfore Maine Valley – 3000m Walk
• Sean McMullin – Mullingar Harriers (M75) – 5000m Walk (Road)
• Team (M70)– Brian Lynch (North East Runners); Terry O’Hare (Newry), Mick Priest (Fr Murphy) –  6k Cross-country

Bronze

• Gemma Thornton – City of Derry (W35) x 2 in 60m and 200m
• Bronwen McDonald – St Laurence O’Tooles – 400m
• Ann Wynne – Carrick-on Shannon (W55) – 800m
• Michelle Cox – Newbridge (W40) – 3000m
• Siobheal Murray – Rathoath AC (W55) – High Jump
• Geraldine Finegan – North East Runners (W55) – Javelin
• Geraldine Finegan – North East Runners (W55) – Pentathlon
• Carmel Crowley – Bandon AC (W55) – 8k Cross-country
• Edel Maguire – Clonliffe (W60) – 200m
• Kay Byrne – Finn Valley (W60) – 8k Cross-country
• Team (W50) – Breda Gaffney – Mallow; Michelle Lannon – Carrick-on-Shannon and Aoife Cowhie – Crusaders – 8k Cross-country
• Team (W50) – Sinead McConnell – Finn Valley, Anne Gormley – Donore, Deirdre O’Doherty –
• Team (W55) – Moira Groome – Trim, Carol Kearney – Lucan Harriers, Katherine Markey – Clonliffe, Darr Carr – LSA – 4x200m Relay
• Jim O’Shea – Farranfore Maine Valley (M80) – High Jump
• Shane Sheridan – DSD (M65) – 60m
• Michael Grace – Dunboyne (M40) – Hammer
• Michael O’Connor – Farranfore Maine Valley (M70) – 5000m Walk (Road)
• Sean McMullin – Mullingar Harriers (M75) – 3000m Walk
• Team (Mixed 55) – David Hayde – St Laurence O’Tooles, Moira Groome – Trim, Michael Counsel – Trim, Dara Carr – LSA – 4x200m Relay
• Team (M70) – John MacDermott – Sligo AC, Ken Higgs – Eagle Vslley, Mick Priest – Fr Murphys, Matt Slattery – Clonliffe