August 20, Santry
The top athletes in the country were in action at the National Seniors and the middle-distance races provided class competition.The premier event must have been the Men`s 800m.With 4 athletes under 1.47 the race for the title was going to be hot.With defending champion Gareth Turnbull out for the rest of the season with injury there was to be a new champion.The leading challenger to the throne must have been James Nolan, champion in 1998.Indeed Nolan oozed class as he led from the front to hold off all the challenges in the home straight for a fine victory in a season`s best of 1.46.83.In that final sprint Daniel Caulfield powered his way to second and withheld the late challenge from the returning Dave Matthews.At the top of the straight Leevale`s Darren Dineen looked as if he could have got up into contention but Matthews held him off for the bronze.The first four all dipped under 1.48 making it the fastest final in years.There were PB`s for Brendan O`Shea, Niall Dunne and Tony Lilley of Togher.Toney has now booked his place for Chile with a time of 1.49.73.His approach of waiting for one huge effort instead of Dave Kelly`s and Paul Cambell`s intense racing program seems to have paid off as he defeated both in a closely fought race throughout.
The selectors now must decide who of Caulfield Dinneen or Matthews who will travel to Sydney to represent us at this distance.
The 1500m was lacking in the huge name stars such as Nolan who opted for the 800, Mark Carroll who went in the 5k, and Niall Bruton and Gareth Turnbul who both are out with injury.Ken Nason ran a fantastic race to squeez out Colm McClean for the gold medal.Andrew Walker was beaten by Des English of DSD in a shock result.The final was very slow and the race was not as high class as in previous years but a gold medal is a gold medal.Chile bound Conor Sweeney finished 7th with 3.55.43 as he begins to prepare for the World Juniors coming down off high intensity training as he begins to start his peak (we hope!!)
Liam Reale finished third in the 3,000m Steeple but his time of 9.09.31was good enough to secure his place on the plane to Chile.It was a fine run and good luck to him and to Tony Lilley, and Conor Sweeney from all of us here at Irish Middle-Distance Homepage.
Dave Matthews must wait and see if he will be selected ahead of Daniel Caulfield after a third place finish in his first race of the year
James Nolan`s commanding performance will help him in his quest for glory in Sydney