From Athletics Northern Ireland Collins Faith Pays Off as he Runs Commonwealth Time Last night (Wed9/7/08) at Morton Stadium Dublin Noel Collins of Omagh Harriers ran inside the Commonwealth Youth time for 800m clocking 1.52.8 mins for the 800M at a Dublin Graded Open Development Meet.
Noel who picked up a serious non athletic based injury early in the season resulting in the young Tyrone man missing most of the domestic competition has been working hard in his comeback.
Noel who has been back training for only four weeks knew that tonight (Wed) was his last opportunity to get a qualifying time for India.
His biggest gamble was to not come down from training for the All Ireland championships in Antrim last Sunday. Knowing that there was an unfavourable weather forecast for the weekend Noel and his coach decided to make Dublin the main challenge for the qualifying time.
Justifiably this proved to be the correct decision.
Running over the 800 Noel clocked 1.52.8 for the 800m.
Noel has been working over the last three weeks concentrating on races to help to get fit after his five weeks injury. This is a sure indication that this young man has the potential to progress to a lot higher standard given the right opportunity.
A nervous Collins will now have to wait it out to see if the selectors have faith in the young Mountfield lad. At present there are eight athletes from various disciplines who have attained the required standards.
Also running tonight was Patrick Bogues of Omagh Harriers. Patrick who is normally a 400m runner ran an excellent time for this step up distance by finishing in 1.59 dead.
North Down’s Michael Dyer took the spoils in race 1 Development 800m with 1st in 1:52.35 after being the only guy to follow the uneven pace making (26/29+).
John Carlisle missed his Development race 2, so went in race 3 which went through the bell in 58 (27/31!). John surged after the bell to get out of trouble and pick up the slow pace and finished well for 2nd in 1:58.12 (pb by 0.08).
Francis Marsh ran the earlier “B” grade 800 (leader through in 59.5/1:31) with 4th in 2:02.36 (quickest since 2006), with Jordan Stokes running 2:04.45 (pb by 0.15) in the same race. Weather: dry + light breeze.
Results to follow when available.
NB: There is a timetable in the track and field fixtures page for the 3rd day of the Woodie’s DIY All-Ireland Juvenile Championships.
Good luck to all competing this weekend.
