National Children’s Games and u/12 T&F Finals 2024 (23rd June)

It was very hot and sunny on Sunday 23rd June in Tullamore, where the National Children’s Games and u/12 T&F Finals were held. Temperatures reached 24degC in the afternoon, making conditions very difficult for middle distance athletes in particular.

Daniel Cummins competed in the 600m u/12 and despite putting in a great effort he was unable to find the form that took him to third in Leinster only three weeks before but he never gave up and battled all the way to the finish and though he finished out of the medals, it wasn’t for the lack of effort.

Showing that sprinters love the heat, Cara Hickey blasted from the start of the 300m u/9 and after a terrific race crossed the line in 4th place, nearly 3 seconds faster than she covered the 300m in the Leinsters, with Zoe O’Donoghue running out of her skin and making up several places on the home straight to finish very close behind in 7th place. This age competes as a team of 2 (or “pair”), so all eyes were on the combined times of the two girls to see how they fared. Unfortunately, there were IT problems with the results system and the final results have been held over to be confirmed during the week, but it looks like Cara and Zoe finished a brilliant 4th place, just outside the medals, but they can be very proud of how they ran in an All-Ireland final.