Well-deserved national title for Coscoran
Andrew Coscoran from Star of the Sea AC in Julianstown claimed a well-deserved national title at the All-Ireland Track and Field Championships in Tullamore last Saturday.
Competing in the U-15 boys 1,500m, the youngster exhibited some nerves before the race, but these were banished them immediately he stepped onto the tartan track.
While one athlete raced to the front from the gun and opened up a five-metre lead by the first bend, Andrew did not panic but positioned himself on the inside lane controlling the chasing pack.
Without increasing the pace the leading athlete was swallowed up by the pack, now led by Andrew and Cillian O'Donovan (Iveragh AC).
Holding the inside lane Coscoran kept O'Donovan running wide on his outside over the next two laps. Knowing that he was strong over the final 200m, Andrew bided his time before making his decisive move.
The athletes came to the bell still shoulder to shoulder and the rest now strung out in a line behind them, but with 300m to go the Star of the Sea athlete struck for home and opened up a five-metre lead on O' Donovan. Coming around the final bend the Iveragh AC athlete began to bridge the gap, but Andrew responded immediately and kept more than enough daylight between them to allow him savour his victory and his first All-Ireland gold medal.
Rob Tully, competing in the Under-16 triple jump, was denied a medal when finishing fourth with a jump of 11.42m.
Rob went into the last round of jumps in second place but with their last jumps Eoghan Buggy (St Abban's) and Emmanuel Ogbonna ( Tramore AC) cleared 11.61m and 11.60m respectively to nudge Rob out of the medals.
While disappointed at missing a medal, Rob put it all behind him when on Sunday he went down to Mullaghmeen Forest Park outside Oldcastle where he won both the Meath 5k Junior Hill Running Championship and the junior open race.
