Master Athletes In Form At The Woodies DIY Master Indoor Championships Of Ireland

The Woodie's DIY Master Indoor Championships of Ireland took place on Saturday, 25th of January in AIT International Arena, Athlone. A combination of exciting competition and friendly camaraderie between the competitors made for a fantastic day of track and field action.

Brian Forbes (Mid Ulster AC) was supreme in winning the M1 400m in a time of 52.71 ahead of Brian Boyce (Letterkenny AC) second in a time of 54.71 with defending champion Rob Grumley (Brothers Pearse AC) third in a time of 55.50. In the M3 category Stuart McCleane (Rathfarnham WSAF) showed the field a clean pair of heels to win in a time of 55.96 seconds.
Karen Crean (St. Brigids AC) was the fastest female 400m runner on showed as she comfortable won the women's title in a time of 67.02. Michaela Marnell (Blackrock AC- Dublin) was on the double today as she won the women's 60m in a time of 8.62 and the 200m in a time of 28.91. Peter Doherty (Ratoath AC) was the fastest master male athlete as he stormed to victory in the M2 60m in a time of 7.54 seconds. A special mention to Hugh Gallagher (Milford AC) who competed in the M11 category and dually won the title.

In one of the most exciting races of the day Tim Shiels (Derry City Track Club) won the 800m title in a time of 2.01.89 to just hold off Mounir Bouziane (Clonliffe Harriers AC) in second with a time of 2.01.91. Niamh Fitzgerald (Lucan Harriers) won the women's M1 800m in a time of 2.22.49 for one of the most comprehensive victories of the day. Olympian Pauline Curley (Tullamore Harriers AC) impressed with victories in the M2 800m (2.24.54) and she also dominated the 3,000m race to win in a time of 10.25.80, which was a new record.
Paul Fleming (Rathfarnham WSAF) dipped under nine minutes in the 3,000m to win in a time of 8.58.44 after a close battle with second place athlete Paul Buckley (Ferbane AC) in a time of 8.59.41.

Kieron Stout (Celbridge AC) was in record form in the men's M3 shot putt when he launched the shot out to a new masters record with a throw of 13.18m. This surpassed the old mark held by Pat O'Connor (Tralee Harriers) which stood at 12.72m. Mary Barrett (Loughrea AC) added over 3 metres to the W6 shot putt with a throw of 10.99m.
There was only one centimetre separating the top two in the women's long jump competition with Niamh Hayes (Wterford AC) coming out on top with a jump of 4.25m ahead of Elaine Cronin (Gneeveguilla AC) with 4.24m. Olga Kudravtieva (DCH) added 1 centimetre to the high jump record with a clearance of 1.40 in the women's M4 category. Aidan Gillespie (Rosses AC) leapt out to a massive 6.14m in the M2 men's long jump to seal victory.

Tom O'Brien (Waterford AC) was the standout performer in the M3 men's high jump when he set a new record by clearing a height of 1.73m.