Irish Universities Indoor T&F 2022 (29th Jan)

Cancelled for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Intervarsity T&F returned on Saturday 29th January when the Irish Universities Indoors took place in Athlone and among the very big entry were several student athletes from Mullingar Harriers competing for their Universities and Colleges.

First into action was Sarah Glennon (DCU) who won the 1,500m walk with ease, finishing nearly half a lap ahead of second place to add another Intervarsity medal to her growing collection. Shauna Leydon (UCD) made her Intervarsity debut in the 200m where she finished second in her heat but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to advance to the final such was the standard of competition. With six heats of the men 200m, qualification for the final was the six fastest times, so they were extremely competitive. Odhran Cully (TCD) placed third in his heat but unfortunately his time wasn’t enough to advance to the final. Making his Intervarsity indoor debut, Charles Okafor (DCU) lined up in the sixth heat and placed second in an extremely fast race but unfortunately just missed a placed in the final by a very narrow margin.

Colin D Smith (DCU) advanced safely from his heat of the 800m and in the final was right up with the pace through the bell but in a frantic sprint finish to the line, he was very unlucky to be run out of the medals and crossed in fourth place. Oisin Lane (UL) competed in the 2,000m walk in his first time competing for UL and with a polished performance finished second to win his first Intervarsity medal. The 1,500m was run at a fierce pace from the start. Jamie Battle (DCU) led the chasing pack, going through 800m in just over two minutes, which is quick. He paid somewhat for the early effort in the closing stages and had to settle for a seventh place finish but has to be satisfied to have been so competitive for much of the race in his first indoor race of the season.

A long day ended with the 4 x 200m relays where the medals were decided on times in the heats. Shauna Leydon took the lead leg for UCD and made a valuable contribution to  a good team performance that saw the UCD  women finish second in their heat but it wasn’t fast enough to challenge for medals though they finished a very creditable fifth place. In the corresponding men’s event, Odhran Cully played his part for the TCD team that finished third in their heat, but their time was not fast enough to challenge for medals. Taking the baton in front on the third leg for DCU, Charles Okafor powered around the tight indoor bends, increasing the lead and handing the baton over with a big lead and DCU ran home heat winners but were narrowly beaten into second place overall on time, to give Charles his first Intervarsity medal and round off an exciting day of indoor athletics where Mullingar athletes won individual gold and silver and relay team silver medals.