Shane Fitzsimons cruised through his heat of the 800m at the AAI National Junior Indoors in Nenagh on Sunday 22nd January and qualified comfortably for the final. Going out hard from the gun in the final, Shane went straight to the front and quickly opened up a sizeable lead on Dean Cronin (Blarney Inniscarra AC) who had to work very hard to get back on terms and only caught Shane and passed him in the final 200m, going on to win and take the title but with Shane hot on his heels all the way to the finish to take silver. A consolation for Shane was a new personal best time of 1:54.78. Shane is underage for two more years, so plenty more opportunity for him. This was a terrific race so early in the indoor season and will give Shane a great boost of confidence for the year ahead.

Also in action in Nenagh was Robert Yorke who competed for the first time in the 400m. He won his heat very comfortably and in the final he drew the outside lane, which was ideal for someone of his build. He powered through the opening 200m and looked full of running in third place, right on the shoulder of the leaders. It was only in the finish straight with about 40m to go when he was passed and was edged into fourth place to finish just out of the medals but great credit for his approach to a new event for him. Being a new event, his time was a personal best.

Not so fortunate for Aine O’Reilly in her first time competing in the 400m where she stumbled slightly coming out of the blocks and by the time she fully recovered her balance and got into her running, a gap had opened that proved impossible to close and though she finished well in third place she didn’t advance to the final. A new event and also a personal best, but more importantly, a lesson learned and she is looking forward to running the Junior 400m in the Leinster Indoors this Sunday where no doubt she will show a big improvement.

Victoria Harris was the youngest competitor in the 200m but showed no sign of being overawed and ran a powerful race to finish third in her heat in a new personal best time. Qualification for the final was based on times in the very competitive heats and unfortunately Victoria just missed qualifying for the final. However, a new PB is a great way to start the season and she is underage for three more years.

Stephen Nea found the transition from cross country to indoor 1,500m just a bit too much and the early pace didn’t suit him and he finished out of the medals but knows he has time to sharpen up for the Leinster Juvenile Indoors in mid-February where we’re sure to see Stephen right in the mix for medals.