Golds, Silvers and Bronzes at the Odyssey

Last weekend saw a very early National Indoor Championships. The venue, BELFAST, the Odyssey arena. On Saturday evening the event began with Heats, semis and the odd final. Crusdaers took part in numbers, the 800 saw new man Ivan Kinahan make his debut in the Red and White, although he did not qualify for the final on Sunday he produced an indoor personal best. Afte rthe race his fiancee Chloe (also an avid Crusader) said "I think he ran really well tonight, I'm so proud of him. He got a pb so he's happy and I can go home tonight so I'm happy". Also in action but over the longer distance of 1500 was Rob Cross ...


Rob produced a debut time of 4.19. He was delighted to run o quick and feels that his speed has come on leaps and bounds this year. A vet in a month or so Rob is aiming for the National Vets 1500 this year. Sprint twins, the Melvins ran bravely over 60 and 200 Larry Rider club coach brought a group of young emerging talent to the Odyssey for experience and they produced some excellent results. Liz just missed the next round by one place but thought she ran well and brother Eoin produced good runs against some very tought competition. Patrick Saunders and John Keegan also part of the sprint group ran well in both 60 and 200. Patrick recorded the quickest times of the men with 24.07 and 7.39.

Sunday kicked off with the 60m hurdles event. Crusaders had to men competing. Peter Coghlan and Ian MacDonald. Ian produced a fantastic run in his semi to beat Roman Sebrle world class decathlete who was competing at teh Odyssey in a number of events to warm up for the up and coming World Indoor Championships. Both Ian and Peter made it safely into the final which was to take place towardsthe end of the program.

Next up was Aoife Hoey in the ladies triple jump. Aoife had taken gold at last years outdoor Nationals and hopedto compete well. She is heavy training for the two man Bobsleigh at the moment and has the WOrld Championships this coming weekend in Austria. Aoife hope to gain a top 8 spot having taken Bronze at teh Europeans this time last year. Eagerly spurred on by older sister and coach Siobhan, Aoife produced a jump of 11.80 to start off the Crusaders medal collection for the weekend.

No sooner had she picked up the silver and there was another Crusader battling it out for a medal. This time it was the 1500m for men and Eugene O'Neill, a steeplechase expert, had stepped down in distance to see where his winter training was at. O'Neill showed composure and his wealth of experience by producing a superb tactical battle to finish third. The field was bunched together with even a lap to go, 7 athletes within 1.5 seconds. Eugene pushed hard and hit the front with local man Gareth Hill. Eugene said after the race - "I hit top gear on that back straight, I thouht I had another little bit to get around Gareth but it wasn't to be. I am delighted with the time for January and to get a National medal is always sweet."

Club vet and world long jump leader Steve Fleming took Crusaders first Gold of the Championships. He lept an impressive 7m26 to pip youngster Eoin Hannon by 1cm. Steve now captains the Irish team travelling to Cardiff next weekend for the celtic indoor international.

Last up was the 60m Hhurdles final. Peter and Ian the only Irish to line up against a very strong international field. Ian was pleased with his semi final run but thought he could shave another little bit off that time. He again was suffering from lack of races but managed to produce a pb of 8.07. Peter ran a classy race and showed his time off last year has rekindled the hunger to achieve greatness. A final time of 7.80 was just outside the World Indoor qualifier of 7.75 which he will chase again on Tuesday night in Sweden. Peter a long time Crusader showed his class once again and it was great to see such legend back to his best. Peter Good luck for the coming indoors, we hope you achieve your goals.

Next up ...

Crusaders on International duty - Cardiff Indoors

Follow Peter Coghalns progress over the indoor season here!!

Aoife and the Bobsleigh championships.

BHAA race Swords - how the Crusaders faired.