Athletics Ireland Announce World Youth Team

01 Jul 2013


Athletics Ireland are delighted to announce the team selections for the IAAF World Youth Championships to be held in Donetsk, Ukraine from July 10th-14th, 2013. With temperatures currently circling the 30 degree Celsius mark in Donetsk, it looks as though this ambitious Irish team will be given every opportunity to produce their best at the championship.
In the sprints, Team Ireland are represented by Zak Irwin (Sligo A.C.) in the 200m and Alanna Lally (Galway City Harriers) in the 400m.

 

Zak Irwin
Irwin of Sligo A.C., coached by Dermot McDermott, has been in fine form this season achieving two B-Standards in the 200m. The 16 year old clocked 21.75 in last months Aviva All-Ireland Intermediate Boys 200m to win the race and set a new Intermediate Boys record. Irwin will be looking to take advantage of the favourable weather conditions in Donetsk and produce some fast times.


Alanna Lally
Lally, coached by PJ Coyle in Galway City Harriers, has achieved two B-Standards in the 400m. Lally's season's best is 55.87 and her recent performance of 55.94 at the AAI Games in Santry secured her spot on the plane to Donetsk. Her consistency in the 55-high bracket bids well for her prospects of a new P.B. with advantageous racing conditions in Donetsk.
In the field events, Team Ireland has a strong showing with no less than six athletes kitting out in the green vest.

David Cussen
David Cussen (Old Abbey A.C.), coached by Eddie Cussen, goes in the High Jump for Ireland. Cussen has shown impressive consistency this season, having achieved the B-Standard on three separate occasions. His 2.06m season's best came in the indoor season and since then he has produced two 2.05m performances - the latest in Tullamore on June 1st.

John Kelly & Fiona Tuite
Team Ireland has two representatives in the Shot Putt in the form of Finn Valley A.C.'s, John Kelly and Fingallians A.C.'s, Fiona Tuite. Kelly has thrown a mighty 18.33m this season, which is one of two B-Standards achieved by the Finn Valley man, coached by John Kelly. Tuite, coached by Joe Evans, has thrown a remarkable three B-Standards this season with her best mark an impressive 14.27m. Both Tuite and Kelly won All-Ireland Schools Gold's this year and will be hoping to press for new personal bests in Donetsk and compete as best they can.

Fellan McGuigan & Alice Akers
Similarly, in the Hammer, Ireland is represented by two athletes, Fellan McGuigan (Finn Valley A.C.) in the men's and Alice Akers (Marian A.C.) in the women's. McGuigan achieved the A-Standard when he threw a remarkable 71.22m in Windsor on June 19th. Not only this, but, he has also thrown three B-Standards to really show his worth. McGuigan will look for another big throw in Donetsk to stamp his mark on a global level. Akers, coached by Brian Akers, has also demonstrated impressive consistency having thrown three B-Standards herself. She is this year's All-Ireland Schools Hammer Champion and her personal best throw of 57.48m came on the 16th June in Templemore. She will be hoping to improve on this mark again in Donetsk.

Kayleigh Cronin
Finally, Kayleigh Cronin of Spa Muckross A.C., coached by Jerry Horgan, goes in the Discus for Team Ireland. Cronin is the All-Ireland Schools Champion in this event and has thrown a very impressive 44.23m this season. Having secured two B-Standards, Cronin will be hoping to be as competitive as possible, as will all of this very ambitious young Irish team.

 

World Youth Championship Team:

  • David Cussen - High Jump (Old Abbey)
  • Alanna Lally - 400m (Galway City Harriers)
  • Fellan McGuigan - Hammer (Finn Valley)
  • John Kelly - Shotputt (Finn Valley)
  • Fiona Tuite - Shotputt (Fingallians)
  • Zak Irwin - 200m (Sligo)
  • Alice Akers - Hammer (Marian AC)
  • Kayleigh Cronin - Discus (Spa Muckross)