Moyne AC Club Notes as Katie Bergin Clinches Three In A Row

Katie Bergin's Three in a row 60m, and Double Champion.

The National Junior & U/23 Indoor Track & Field championships were held in Athlone on Saturday last. Those championships showcase the best of underage athletes from the four corners of Ireland, on a weekend when four National Records were set. Moyne's Katie Bergin was setting about defending the 60m and 200m titles won in 2023 and aiming to complete the three in a row National Indoor 60m victories first won in 2022. It was an early start for all concerned as the first 60m heat was timed for 10am. Lined up in lane 6 Katie led from gun to finish to record the fastest time 7.67s of both heats, the final was timed for 12.55. Competing in finals is now a regular occurrance, but still the nerves are part and parcel of competing in finals. Again in lane 6 Katie powered out of the blocks established an early advantage during the drive phase and secured her three in a row 60m National Titles in a new PB of 7.62seconds, with Aisling Kelly UCD AC second and Hannah Aspell of Celbridge AC third. 

Attention now turned to the 200m, with the first heat timed for just over an hour, again drawn in heat one of the three heats, with only the winner of each heat to qualify for the final. Katie set out her stall early on and crossed the line in first place to take one of the automatic qualifying places.

Two and a half hour break to the final at 5pm is all about managing the time to be in prime shape for the final, again out in lane six Katie stormed out of the blocks, set out her stall down the back straight to gain a slight advantage over Emma Guion Lagan Valley AC Belfast and Caoimhe Cronin Kildare. Coming off the last bend Katie extended her lead to win by .43second from the afore mentioned Emma and Caoimhe. The double double completed its a remarkable achievement for this young Galmoy lady, she is now the proud holder of six U/23 National Titles and one National Senior 200m title. Its a quick turn around as next weekend Katie heads to The AI Games in Abbottstown where the best of Ireland and many UK athletes will take part. 

Combined Events; On Sunday next Jan. 28th Helen Renehan and Gerard Delaney will represent the club at the National Juvenile Combined Events in Abbotstown, Dublin. Another two of our dedicated young athletes taking on some of Ireland's emerging talent. Best of luck to Helen and Gerard.

County U23 & Master Cross Country Championships.

After Katie Bergin’s heroic performances on Saturday at the 123.ie All Ireland U20 & U23 Indoor Track and field championships at the TUS International Arena in Athlone, it was the turn of our master cross country athletes to lace up their spikes on Sunday for the last cross-country race of the 2023 season, as Storm Isha began to brew.

This year’s championship was hosted by the Rice family of Fethard AC. The course was an excellent mix of grassy terrain and woodland trail, with the usual energy sapping cross country mud. First up for Moyne AC was Edel Delaney in the master women over 40 category. Edel had 2 laps of the circuit to complete which totalled to 4km. Edel ran an excellent race.

Next up to take on 4 laps of the course (7km) were John Renehan in the over 45 category and Patrick Bowe in the over 50 category. John and Patrick both ran strong races on the tough course .

Well done to Edel, John, and Patrick on their great performances and thanks to the Rice family and Fethard AC for hosting the event.

That brings the curtain down on another cross-country season for Moyne AC, well done to all of the athletes that competed excellently throughout the cross country season. Next stop indoors.