Irish U18 Pentathlon Team Take Silver in Glasgow
Maria McNamara put in another strong performance in the pentathlon when competing for Ireland at the International Schools Pentathlon in Glasgow on Saturday. Maria got off a super start with a PB in the shot putt of 8.23cm, which was only a few cm off breaking the club record. She followed this up with another PB and very impressive time in the 60m hurdles – breaking 10 seconds for the first time in a time of 9.74. The long jump provided the next challenge, with Maria leaping 4.61 which was slightly down on her PB but nevertheless a very good jump. |
The high jump was next and Maria started out well clearing 1.38, 1.41, 1.44 easily and a slight glitch requiring a 2nd attempt to clear 1.47. But despite being well clear of the bar at the next height, Maria clipped 1.50 each time. Her 3rd attempt in particular was way over it but unfortunately a slight clip with her heels brought it down. After the final event of the day 800m, Maria's points total was 2669 – only slightly down on her All-Ireland performance from September and although Maria was dissapointed by her own high standards, it was still an exceptionally good performance and one that the club are very proud of. Maria's performance helped the Irish team take the silver medals behind England and ahead of Scotland and Wales. Congratulations also to the rest of the Irish team – Sarah McCarthy, Nessa Millet and Amy McTaggart. With the news today that the Connacht Indoors have been moved from the 4th March to the 11th March – it clears the way for a club trip to the Scottish Indoors on 3/4 March for anyone in secondary school interested in travelling. We've gone to this event a few times and its a great experience – I will be trying to finalise details of who's interested this week as we need to make travel and accomodation arrangements. If you might be interested, check out previous trips:- – Scotland Revisited/Scottish Indoors 2009 I'm writing this report from Buchanan Street in Glasgow, listening to my favourite Scottish band playing outside on the street! Ideal way to spend a Sunday morning! |