Golds for Banbridge's Ben and Emma

BEN Daly from Banbridge AC took two golds at the NI and Ulster age group championships.

In the 1997 boys 800m Ben took on the rest of the field from the start and with 200m to go had a clear lead. He won with a new PB of 2.14.81, over eight seconds clear of the second athlete, Mark Hegarty from Killybegs AC.

Then a little over an hour later Ben took part in the 200m, still on a high from his first NI and Ulster medal. Again Ben had a fantastic race to take Gold in another new PB of 26.65 seconds.

Anna Little and Ciara Grimley also had good runs at the championships. Anna took part in the 1997 girls 800m where she finished fifth in her heat with a new PB 2.46.80.

Ciara took part in the 1996 girls 1500m, it was a tough fast pace from the start. She stayed with the pace until the last 300m when the leader pulled away, finishing in fifth in 5.22.37.

Meanwhile Emma Mitchell got gold at the All Ireland U20’s. Emma competed in the 1500m on Sunday June 27 in Tullamore.

The older athletes were dictating the pace from then start and Emma just sat in the lead pack. With 300m to go Emma moved in to third place behind Sarah Treacy (Moynalvey AC) and B Woods (Clonliffe AC) who are both U23 athletes.

With 100m to go Tracy made a move and Emma went with her. The two were stride for stride until the line where Emma just out dipped Treacy on the line to win the U23 and 20 race. Emma’s time was 4.34.20 - just outside her PB - while S Treacy finished in 4.34.27.

A great performance from Emma as the day before she had competed in the Inter Pros 800m for Ulster.

Emma took on Amy O’Donoghue again and the two athletes left the rest of the field behind from the gun. They were side by side until the last 200m when Amy made her move, Emma tried to stay with her but Amy just had enough to stay ahead.

Next up for Emma is the Schools International in Glasgow in July.

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