Hayde, McGrath and O'Neill claim All Ireland gold

North Tipperary athletes returned home with four gold medals from the Irish Life Health All Ireland Post Primary Schools Track & Field Championships in Tullamore on Saturday.

Two of those medals were won by rising star Aimee Hayde, representing St Mary's Secondary School Newport, also broke a national record in the process.

Firstly, she lined up in her trademark pink socks with some of the finest athletes in Ireland for the Intermediate Girls 800m final. In what was a very competitive race she held her own and stormed home to victory breaking the 2012 record held by Siofra Cleirigh Buttner in a time of 2.09.80. Sarah Lane of St Anne's Killaloe had a great run in the same race of 2m17s finishing fourth.

Later, Hayde lined up again this time in the Intermediate Girls 1,500m final. In this she ran a superb tactical race and once again stormed home to victory taking the national title with ease in a time of 4.37.31 some three seconds ahead of her nearest rival.

Hayde at 16 years old is currently listed in fourth place in the European U18 800m listing.

St Mary's Secondary Schools Nenagh were also celebrating on the double, firstly with Jodie McGrath winning the Intermediate Pole Vault in a new national record of 3 metres. This was Jodie's first national schools title.

Later in the day, Ailbhe O'Neill was favourite for the U16 mile in many peoples eyes. For Ailbhe the favourites tag was something new but you wouldn't have known that as she dominated the race from the start and ran away from her competitors on the last lap to win in 5.20 secs.

 

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