Saturday 29^th of July 2023 will go down as one of the best days for Moyne AC as Katie Bergin once again shined on the National stage at the 151^st edition of the Irish Senior Track and Field Championships held in Morton Stadium, Santry. She competed in 200m on Saturday and in the 100m on Sunday. The weekend got off to the best possible start as she won her heat comfortably in 25.54. With 2 automatic qualifying from each heat (3 heats) and 2 fastest loser spots. Katie’s PB is 24.30 and hopes were high among the many club supporters who came along to cheer her on in the final that afternoon. Katie settled into her block on the top bend and with a breezy head wind in her way, once the gun went she ran a fabulous bend, accelerating off the bend and powered down the straight to cross the line a convincing winner in a time of 24.60, (Wind -2 m/s). It truly was a remarkable moment for Katie, her coach Martin and club to see her cross the line to be crowned National Senior 200m Champion! It is the club’s first medal of any colour at this level of competition at Senior Track and Field. But now we have a National Senior Champion. A dream for many but now a reality for Katie. A true joy to see her step up onto the podium and receive her National title among a large crowd at Santry was special.

Katie returned to the track on Sunday to compete in the 100m. Sunday was a big day of finals and also big players, particularly in the 100m. Hurdle star Sarah Lavin was in a bid to double up and do the double and win both 100mh and 100m titles. Katie faced the likes of Leevales, Lucy May Sleeman and Joan Healy along with DSD’s Mollie O’ Reilly and Killarney Valley’s Sarah Leahy amongst the rivals in the heats. Katie was in the 3^rd heat of 3 Sunday afternoon (12.40). With top 5 automatic qualifiers and 5 fastest losers’ spots, Katie qualified in 4^th place in her heat and progressed to the semi-final later that afternoon. As the rain fell, the tension was building as the athletes headed back out on track for the semis. Katie was in the second heat, lining up in lane 7, it was tough qualification with top 4 of 2 heats with 2 fastest losers going through to the final. Katie was so unlucky to not make the final as she finished 7^th in her heat crossing the line in 12.32, with the top 6 qualifying for the final from her heat, she just narrowly missed out on a spot. (6^th place qualifier – 12.24). Emerald AC star Sarah Lavin, did indeed go on to do the double and on her way to winning the final, she ran 3 pb’s! (11.53). Amazing performances and really an amazing performance by Katie at 21 years of age, she has plenty of ability, talent and hard work ethic to push on and achieve great things in the future.  Congratulations to Katie on a fantastic weekend of racing, 200m National Senior Champion has a nice ring to it!!

It was fantastic for the club to have 2 athletes at these championships, also in action on Saturday afternoon was Sharon Cantwell contested the 3000m Steeplechase directly after Katie’s 200m presentation. She finished a credible 4^th in the event which was won by Olympian Michelle Finn, who was crowned national champion on the 9^th occasion. Despite describing it as a tough day at the office and somewhat disappointed with the performance Sharon still managed to run a lifetime best of 11.46.84. This time has bettered the County record time set by Ciara Cummins back in 2019 (11.50.50). Congratulations to her on the record!

Katie and Sharon would like to acknowledge and thank the supporters who travelled to Dublin last weekend to support them. It was really much appreciated. In particular our younger athletes  who really added to the excitement and got the opportunity to meet the stars and role models of Irish Athletics including, Rhasidat Adeleke, Sophie O’ Sullivan and Sarah Lavin. Memories that will long live in their minds. Well done to fellow Tipperary Athlete’s who performed so well all weekend. It was incredible!

Both girls will now look ahead to the last competition of the summer, with preparations well underway for the finale, The National League. Both girls are looking forward to heading to Tullamore on the 13^th of August for the final with the hope of going 1 better this year. Best of luck to the Tipperary team and also thanks to Martin Flynn, Eamon Fitzgerald and co for the management of this team.

Spilt the Bucket

The weekly draw this week went ahead as usual and this weeks’ winner was Gavin Doyle – €80. We ask you all to continue to support the draw.

Training

Some athletes have resumed training for Cross Country, we envisage for the main group to return from summer recess in the next couple of weeks. Details will be circulated in due course. If you are interested in joining the club, you are most welcome. In particular we are encouraging older athlete’s (junior – masters) to come on board and develop as athletes across all disciplines, please get in touch with any committee member or on Social Media for details/enquiries.

75th Anniversary Celebrations – Fast approaching

Reminder that the club are hosting an open cross country event on the 17th of September. Preparations are well underway with more details to follow. Races from Juveniles – Master and prizes on offer. Come celebrate this milestone with us! Thank you to Landowners – Jim O’ Meara and the Cantwell family for their support.