The weather gods look favourably upon track & field athletics in Galway, or so it would seem given yet another beautiful evening in Dangan after a day of torrential rain and winter temperatures. But by 8pm on Thursday July 3rd the sky was blue and the sun shined. The evening reflected the atmosphere on the track where a strong entry and quality competition made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening of athletics. Full results attached.

Highlights were plentiful over the short programme of events. The reigning national senior champion in the event, Lithuanian Mindaugus Kurcenkovas, again gave us an exhibition in javelin throwing with a best effort of 58.67, still some 5 metres short of his seasons best. Mary Barrett overcame Nicola Monaghan in the Ladies javelin with a 20.78 throw.

23 entries in the men's 1500m is indicative of the resurgence of track & field in the west, and a superb last lap, which saw Ruaidhri Geraghty overhaul long-time leader Michael Keane, typified the evenings racing. While Ruaidhri did the business at the front his father was one of a trio of Galway's running legends who battled in the masters category.

Brian Geraghty, Conrad Conneely and Martin McEvilly looked as fresh and fit as they've ever done when winning national titles or representing Ireland as they have done for quite a while now. It was Conrad who claimed the gold medal with young whippersnapper Mick Rice snatching the silver ahead of World Masters medallist Martin McEvilly.

A similarly tight finish in the women's 1500m saw Loughrea clubmates Caroline Clancy and Laura Shaugnessy battle from gun to tape with Laura edging it on the home straight in a quality 4:55 clocking.

The men's 200m required heats and in Race 1 Gerard O'Donnell of Carrick-on-Shannon pwered home in a new pb of 22.8 ahead of Daniel Loughnane and William Finnegan. Sarah Connolly of GCH came out tops in a tight 3-way battle in the ladies 200m ahead of Sarah Finnegan and Jane Healy.

The relays are proving something of an attraction at this series with no fewer than seven 4x400m relay teams in action on Thursday.

Next action in the Galway T&F Series takes place on Thursday July 17th at 8pm with 400m, 3000m/5000m, shot putt, high jump and 4x100 on the programme.

Thanks again to everyone who helped out on the night, most notably Mary Barrett and Brendan Monaghan who looked after the javelin, PJ Coyle and Noel Connolly who managed the finish, and Oliver Geraghty who was our starter.

Thanks also to Mick Rice for photos and Mark Davis for some excellent video coverage - see http://www.craughwellac.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=294&Itemid=78

For further info on the Galway T&F Series see ...

http://www.athenryac.com/galway-senior-track-amp-field-2008-details-announced

For Day 1 results see ... http://www.athenryac.com/galway-senior-tf-series-day-1-results