Longford’s Rian McCaffrey shines with Gold in the Under-17 2000m steeplechase

Rian Mc Caffrey of Longford A.C. on his way to winning the U-17 boys 2000m SC during Day 2 of the 123.ie National Juvenile Track and Field Championships at Tullamore Harriers Athletics Club on Sunday Photo: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile | SPORTSFILE

placeholder image — Rian Mc Caffrey of Longford A.C. on his way to winning the U-17 boys 2000m SC during Day 2 of the 123.ie National Juvenile Track and Field Championships at Tullamore Harriers Athletics Club on Sunday Photo: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile | SPORTSFILE

Local athletes impress at National Juvenile Championships

The National Juvenile Track and Field Championships took place in Tullamore over the weekend with a strong County Longford representation competing in the Under 13 to 19 age groups.

One of the most impressive performances on the track came from Longford Athletics Club member Rian McCaffrey who won a superb Gold medal in the Under-17 2000m steeplechase on Sunday.

A most convincing display by Rian who took the lead from 400 metres into the race and was never really challenged over the remaining four laps.

With a strong showing of running and hurdling, the Ardagh athlete went on to cross the finish line in 6:17.90 almost six seconds clear of the runner-up. It was also a first national title for the St. Mel’s College student

There was further Longford AC success with Conor Brennan taking victory in the Under-16 3km walk with another assured outing on the track. Sunday’s success was a third consecutive outdoors All-Ireland gold medal for the Moyne CS student.

It also continues an excellent season for Drumlish’s Conor with him having won at the Tailteann Games last week to secure his spot on the Irish team at the Schools International in Belfast next month.

Local success came in the field events too with high jump trio of John Fitzpatrick Jr, Andrew Fitzpatrick and El’nathan Okoh each winning a silver medal in their respective age group following fantastic displays of athleticism in a most technical of events.

The Longford club had 22 athletes competing in total over the weekend with other notable results being a fourth place for Seán Grealy in the 100m with him an agonising one-hundredth of a second off a bronze medal while Julie Taitt achieved sixth in the 800m.

Lanesborough native Andrew Nolan, competing in the colours of Roscommon Athletics Club, was one of the stars of the weekend when dominating the Under 15 boys field events.

On Sunday, he set a championship record with a massive throw of 17.12 metres to win the shot put. Andrew was also a convincing winner of the discus competition having claimed a silver medal in the javelin on Saturday.