Leinster Junior, Senior and Masters Indoors 2019 (2nd March)
Being among the youngest competitors competing in the junior ranks, the Leinster Junior, Senior and Masters Indoors at the National Indoor Arena in Abbotstown, Dublin on Saturday 2nd March gave Charles Okafor and Eta Oviahon an excellent opportunity to hone their racing skills without the pressure of expecting to win. There were three very competitive heats of the Junior Men 60m and despite an excellent run in his heat, Eta didn’t advance to the final but a third place finish for Charles despite a poor start in his heat was enough to advance to the final. He had a much better start in the final and competed aggressively to finish in fourth, only narrowly missing a medal, which is an excellent performance given that he was the youngest in the race and gave away up to three years on some of the others. Competing in the Senior Men 60m, Patrick Leydon competed strongly but didn’t advance from his heat.
Pauric Brady put in a strong effort in the Master Men 1,500m but had to settle for fifth place, just out of the medals and while he was disappointed, knows he gave every effort. Sean McMullin used the Master Men 3,000m Race Walk as part of his preparations for the World Masters Indoors in Poland in three weeks time and as expected he easily took the gold medal in his category. Sean expressed satisfaction with his race after and as a measure, Sean’s time was quicker than men twenty years his junior, so he’s in fine racing form!
Eta Oviahon ran much quicker than in the Leinsters a few weeks ago but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to advance from his heat of the Junior Men 200m. Better fortune for Charles Okafor in his heat where he finished second to qualify for the final. Lane two in the final really did him no favour and though he ran a fine race, had to settle for fourth, out of the medal places, but this was another great performance from someone so young to make a Leinster junior final. Interestingly, the time he ran in the Leinsters a few weeks ago would have seen him take bronze and be right in the hunt for silver, so he’s definitely a rising sprint star. Second place in his heat of the Senior Men 200m saw Patrick Leydon qualify for the final but being so tall, drawing lane three was not ideal for him and though he worked hard he finished fourth, just out of the medal places.
Always in contention, Colin Smith put in an excellent performance in the Senior Men 800m and was rewarded with a silver medal, only losing by a very narrow margin. We ended the day with the Master Men 3,000m where Gerard Gavin ran a solid race and was very satisfied to finish second and take the Leinster silver medal in his category.
