Nenagh 2002

The aftermath of the Intervarsities that were held in Nenagh in December as always brings smiles to the faces to those who competed. This year's team fought well and competed strongly throughout the entire weekend, meriting a result well worthy of praise. In the final count up of points Trinity Ladies were 2nd to UL by only one point and Trinity Men were placed 5th.

Competition, as always was of a very high standard, and all those who competed should be highly commended for even taking part in the sub-zero conditions that prevail in our National Indoor arena, it's hard to comprehend how temperatures actually drop as one steps inside the stadium!

The ladies team, captained by 3rd year, MSIS student, Lesley O'Connor were delighted, if not slightly disappointed to rank so closely to the team from Limerick, who have dominated the competition for years, only to be knocked from their winning position for the first time last year in 10yrs. Suffice to say they didn't have it easy this time round.

The star of the events was without a doubt our very own Mary McLoone. This year she surpassed all expectations, competing in a total of 7 events, including the pentathlon, and medalled in them all. After winning gold in the long jump and triple jump and thus successfully defending her titles from last year, she went on to win silver in 60mH, 200m, 4*200m relay, pentathlon, and Bronze in High jump. In total Mary scored enough points, that if she'd been entered as a university herself, she would have come third!! However, there were also many other memorable achievements by many of our other talented athletes. Elish Kelly, also a gaelic player, competed in her second ever athletics competition was 2nd in the 1500m, and subsequently competed in the 1500m walk, never having done so before, and cashed in on more valuable points, coming 4th. Experienced walker Eleanor Kelly was 2nd in the same event. Helen Murphy, an experienced and determined year down student left her final indoor competition in style, she was placed 2nd in the 3000m, in one of her best ever races. Third in the same race was Tanya Stevens, also a one year down student. Field eventers must be noted for a great combined effort, in particular Ruth Collins, who has trained diligently over the last year for the pole vault, proved herself well capable as she jumped 2.60m , the same as the winner, but was placed second in the final count up.

The men's team, who were unfortunately greatly reduced due to last minute difficulties and injuries, still managed to put up a strong fight, against a tough field. Paul Campbell, first time competitor for TCD won the only individual medal for the team, with bronze in the pole vault. Among the many other point scorers was Paddy Cassidy, who, in his final year of indoor intervarsities, ran extremely well, and damned fast in both the 1500m & 3000m, being left just short of medals, coming in 4th. Possibly one of the most determined and competitive athletes on our team, Rob-Bruce Brand once again put his training to use in the 800m, where he scored 5th position. Other strong performances by Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh, Sean MacCreedy, Aengus McHugh and Paul Howard, should be noted.

The relays, always the most exciting races of the competition, this year were successful, the ladies anchored by Mary McLoone, were placed a very tight 2nd, while the men were a comfortable 3rd.

However the true heros of the weekend, have to be the pentathlon athletes, Mary McLoone, Tanya Aligne, Greg Scanlon and Eoin McDonnell, who took part in possibly the most physically and mentally exhausting fight of all. Their two day long battle, covered a range of events and their unfaltering efforts should be greatly admired.

Well into the new year and training continues as athletes prepare for the cross country season. At this time of year the track tends to be forgotten, but don't fret all you sprinters, the prospect of a new sprinting coach coming on board promises to be very fruitful. So, anyone looking to get themselves in shape or feels like they'd like to be part of such a winning squad should check us out.