Fermanagh athletes once again shone brightly as they returned with a host of medals from the NI/Ulster Clubs Age Group Championships at a very warm Mary Peters track last weekend.
Enniskillen Running Club’s Harry McKenzie put the disappointment of his fall at the All Ireland Schools’ behind him in the best way possible, by claiming gold in the U16 Boys 1500m.
McKenzie was one of three golds won by Enniskillen RC with Jamie McDonnell and James Nixon also claiming victories.
In the final race of the weekend, McDonnell led from gun to tape to win his first Ulster 1500m title in 4.06mins. He set off a fierce pace and led throughout and while the pack closed in, he held on bravely to take the win.
Meanwhile, Nixon produced a fine performance as he claimed gold on his debut in the U18 Boys100m High Hurdles.
There was also a bronze for Annabelle McKenzie in the 800m, a fine run seeing her finish with a four second personal best time.
And Annabelle followed that up with a fourth place finish in the 200m and qualification for the All Irelands.
St Michael’s had eight medallists at the championships. In the U17 Boys 3000m Charlie Reihill picked up the gold with his team mate Tiarnan McManus securing the bronze in the same race.
There was also double gold for Jack O’Connor. The Belcoo sprinter followed up his three gold medals at the All Ireland Schools’ the week before by winning gold in both the U16 Boys 100m and 200m.
In the U17 Boys Long Jump there was silver for James Kelly while Nathan Coyle (U14 Boys 800m), Oisin McGuinness (U15 Boys 200m) and Lorcan Fitzpatrick (U17 Boys 100m) all clinched bronze.
There was also good runs from Rian Kennedy, Ryan Hegarty and Oisin Travers who all made their respective finals.
Meanwhile, at the Irish Miler’s Club in Dublin Frank Buchanan ran a massive 3000m personal best time of 8.40.29.
The time placed him fourth in the UK rankings but agonizingly for the St Michael’s athlete it was 0.29 seconds outside the qualifying time for the European Youth Olympics.
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