Double on the cards for classy Cuddihy
Kilkenny woman Joanne Cuddihy looks set to double up with both the 200 metres and 400 metres titles at the Woodies DIY National Track and Field Championships this weekend.
The 22-year-old, representing UCD, produced a new personal best to take the 200m crown at the Morton Stadium in Santry today. She flew home in 23.33 seconds into a slight headwind of -1.0.
Kilkenny City Harrier Emily Maher was second in 24.01, while Ferrybank's Mairead Murphy took bronze (24.57).
Cuddihy was the fastest qualifier for tomorrow's 400m decider, clocking 54.84 seconds and with nine-times champions Karen Shinkin sidelined due to an 'overuse' injury, the way seems paved for a neat double for the medical student.
Fresh from winning the AAA's championship, Eileen O'Keeffe of the Kilkenny City Harriers won hammer gold with a third round throw of 67.80 metres - a new championship best.
Raheny's Vinnie Mulvey, the current national cross country champion, took the 10,000 metres title, winning in a time of 29 minutes 58.35 seconds with Joe McAllister (St. Malachy's) and Peter Matthews (Dundrum South Dublin) picking up silver and bronze.
In perhaps the best contest of the day, the men's long jump, Stephen Fleming won gold for the Crusaders club, pipping Borrisokane's Darragh O'Farrell with a fine final round jump of 7.41 metres (+0.1). O'Farrell had managed 7.40 metres (+0.1) on his own sixth and final jump.
There was also a tight finish in the women's triple jump with a leap of 12.38 metres (+0.0) enabling Tír Chonaill's Mary McLoone to take gold. Sarah Barry from Dundrum was second (12.34m (+1.8)).
Experienced Ballymena sprinter Paul Brizzel retained his 200 metres crown, timing 21.33 seconds in the final with Slí Cualann's Darragh Graham (21.58) close behind. Athenry's Paul Hession was disappointingly ruled out with injury.
An excellent battle for the men's 400m medals looks in prospect for tomorrow. European Indoor champion David Gillick coasted home in 47.38 seconds in his heat, while his chief rivals Paul McKee (48.43) and David McCarthy (48.32) had little difficulty in winning their heats.
Crusaders star Thomas Chamney and David Campbell of St. Coca's will clash for the 800m title tomorrow. The duo both won their heats today with the 22-year-old Chamney (1:55.08) looking in good shape.
Alistair Cragg and Liam Reale are the pick of the 1500m qualifiers. The 26-year-old Cragg, who the European Indoor champions over 3000m, came home fastest in the heats with a time of 3:49.68.
