Scaling new heights! Longford's talented young athletes impress on the national stage

There was fantastic medal success for Emma Brennan and El’Nathan Okoh at Sunday’s National Juvenile Championships in Tullamore.

Emma showed her strength to win gold in the Under-17 2000m Steeplechase to claim her first All-Ireland track title in club competition. Another excellent performance by Emma, who improved her personal best by 16 seconds, in the event which was a true test of stamina and hurdling in the rising afternoon temperatures.

Achieving the first place also earned Emma selection onto the Irish team that will travel to Grangemouth next month to compete at the Scottish Championships.

Caption: There was a fantastic Gold medal success for Emma Brennan at Sunday’s National Juvenile Championships in Tullamore. Emma showed her strength to win the Under-17 2000m Steeplechase to claim her first All-Ireland track title in club competition

El’Nathan Okoh took home bronze in the U-13 High Jump with a best clearance height of 1.43m. Having earlier jumped 1.40m at the final attempt, El’Nathan kept his composure to clear 1.43m at the third time of asking to secure the bronze.

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A second National individual medal success this year for El’Nathan to add to the silver won at the March Indoors.

A superb effort of 4.59m saw Paul Aigbogun set a personal best in the U-13 Long Jump in which he placed fourth just narrowly missing out on a medal.

Oisín Dillon ran strongly in clocking an outdoor best time of 2:12 when finishing sixth in the U-15 800m.

Marc Galligan in the U-16 100m Hurdles and Max Gallagher in the U-17 800m also faced strong opposition but performed well in their events to round out the day of competition for club members.

Congratulations to Andrew Nolan of Lough Ree AC who had a very successful day winning Gold in the U-13 Javelin and silver in the Shot Put.

Results Round-Up: At last week’s Rooskey 5k, two of our talented juveniles Eoin Morgan and Alexander Graham led home the club representation placing second and third respectively in the junior category. Michael O'Hara took first place in his age group while there were also good times set by Anne Brady, John Farrell, Charlie Barone, Carmel Corr and Eleanor McLoughlin.

Also read: Rising Longford athletics star selected to compete for Ireland at Schools International in Wales

International Selection: Congratulations to Robin Óg Murphy who has been selected to compete for Ireland at the upcoming Schools International in Wales on July 20. Mercy Ballymahon pupil Robin Óg has produced a series of excellent performances this year in the Race Walks including winning a fantastic Gold medal at the All-Ireland Schools.

Also read: Longford’s pride and joy: Double Olympian Darragh Greene on the plane to Paris