An Cosantóir May 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie
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BY COMDT NOEL CONWAY, CHAIRMAN DF ATHLETICS COMMITTEE
PHOTOS BY SGT KARL BYRNE
O
n 27th February last, the Defence Forces Indoor Track & Field championships (and new entrants Grand Prix) were again held at
the state-of-the-art indoor athletics facility in Athlone Institute of Technology.
Competitors came from units across the DF including two recruit platoons, from 27 and 3 Inf Bns, with close to 160 personnel
competing in 17 track and three field events across four competitor categories. Included, as always in the day's events was a special grand
prix for new entrants to the DF, designed to encourage interest in the sport across the talent pool of recruits, cadets and apprentices.
The atmosphere in the compact stadium was electric, particularly during the 4 x 200m unit relay - the relays are always an exciting
event at the close of any track and field meet.
Notable performances included superb running by Pte Stephen Campbell of 6 Inf Bn in winning a close-run race with Comdt Mark
Conway in the Defence Forces Senior Men's 800m. The DF Senior Men's 3,000m was also a close-run event with Cpl Conor Tierney from
the Air Corps beating Cpl Gavin Sweeney from 1 Engr Group to take 1st place. Cpl Leanne Butler of 3 Inf Bn, fresh from her CISM Cross-
Country debut in Belgium in December, comfortably won the ladies 3,000m.
The Masters (over 40) Men's 3,000m was very competitive in all age categories - PO Darren Molloy, Naval Service took the over 40s
title, Sgt Pat Byrne, DFTC Tpt Gp won the over 45s and CS John Devlin, 1 Inf Bn won the over 55 event. The sprint events also saw tight
finishes in the Men's 60m and 200m won by Pte Cullen 3 Inf Bn and Comdt Kedney respectively.
The Men's Field Competitions included the 35lb weight for distance event – the second year this event has been included in the DF
Championships. Comdt Tom Bouchier, MTS Air Corps won this specialised event (which is unique to Ireland and Scotland). The other
field events in both mens' and ladies' categories were the long jump and shot putt.
The event was hosted by 2 Bde, and supported/organised by the DF Athletics Committee.
Sports in
association with
Teamware.ie
