By Ronan Duggan
DCU once again defended their Varsity Indoor Track and Field titles; the men for the sixth consecutive year with the women’s team completing the five-in-a-row.
DCU has for many years relied on its distance stalwarts such as Ciara Durkin and Linda Byrne, but this year the strength in depth of the Academy came to the fore.
Mary Ann O Sullivan showed that DCU middle distance have nothing to fear from the loss of the older generation by romping home to set a 1500m DCU record for the win. The men’s middle distance were in all conquering form with Brian Kelly showing great composure and tactical awareness to win the 800m in 1.54 and Darren McBrearty effortlessly taking the 1500m crown in a shade outside four minutes.
At the same time on two different continents, DCU were conquering the American college scene with Mark English winning the 800m in Boston in 1.49 and Paul Robinson running a fantastic 3.43 for 1500m in Australia the very same evening.
Not to be outdone, the sprinters also made their presence felt with Stephanie Creaner, a first year student, putting in a fantastic weekend’s work by breaking the DCU records in both 60m and 200m, finishing 3rd and 1st respectively.
Steven Colvert kept the men almost on par with the women by breaking the DCU record over 60m clocking a time of 6.99, very impressive considering the 60m isn’t his strongest event.
Catherine McManus did enough to win the women’s hurdles while Kourosh Foroughi displayed his versatility with a strong second place showing in the men’s hurdles.
Catriona Farrell also retained her High Jump title along with many other athletes who contributed points to ensure the Women’s Team victory was never in any doubt.
Foroughi and Pender battled out the High Jump again with Pender winning and breaking the collegiate record with a 2.16 leap. Foroughi would have to be content with a combined events victory.
Both teams achieved easy victories overall with the days athletics capped by the drama of the relays. Barnstorming runs from both the men and women’s teams with DCU coming out on top in the women’s, but only managing fourth place in the men’s. The ever-dependable Feidhlim Kelly, who celebrated his 10th year of Varsity Athletics, took bronze in the 1500m anchoring the men’s team.
DCU will be taking a leaf out of Kelly’s book and looking at 10 years of Varsity dominance coming swiftly over the horizon.DCU once again defended their Varsity Indoor Track and Field titles; the men for the sixth consecutive year with the women’s team completing the five-in-a-row.
DCU has for many years relied on its distance stalwarts such as Ciara Durkin and Linda Byrne, but this year the strength in depth of the Academy came to the fore.
Mary Ann O Sullivan showed that DCU middle distance have nothing to fear from the loss of the older generation by romping home to set a 1500m DCU record for the win. The men’s middle distance were in all conquering form with Brian Kelly showing great composure and tactical awareness to win the 800m in 1.54 and Darren McBrearty effortlessly taking the 1500m crown in a shade outside four minutes.
At the same time on two different continents, DCU were conquering the American college scene with Mark English winning the 800m in Boston in 1.49 and Paul Robinson running a fantastic 3.43 for 1500m in Australia the very same evening.
Not to be outdone, the sprinters also made their presence felt with Stephanie Creaner, a first year student, putting in a fantastic weekend’s work by breaking the DCU records in both 60m and 200m, finishing 3rd and 1st respectively.
Steven Colvert kept the men almost on par with the women by breaking the DCU record over 60m clocking a time of 6.99, very impressive considering the 60m isn’t his strongest event.
Catherine McManus did enough to win the women’s hurdles while Kourosh Foroughi displayed his versatility with a strong second place showing in the men’s hurdles.
Catriona Farrell also retained her High Jump title along with many other athletes who contributed points to ensure the Women’s Team victory was never in any doubt.
Foroughi and Pender battled out the High Jump again with Pender winning and breaking the collegiate record with a 2.16 leap. Foroughi would have to be content with a combined events victory.
Both teams achieved easy victories overall with the days athletics capped by the drama of the relays. Barnstorming runs from both the men and women’s teams with DCU coming out on top in the women’s, but only managing fourth place in the men’s. The ever-dependable Feidhlim Kelly, who celebrated his 10th year of Varsity Athletics, took bronze in the 1500m anchoring the men’s team.
DCU will be taking a leaf out of Kelly’s book and looking at 10 years of Varsity dominance coming swiftly over the horizon.
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