Anti-climax as McCarthy motors to easy victory

THE long awaited clash of David McCarthy (St. Augustine’s, Dungarvan) and John Coghlan (Castleknock) in the senior boys’ 1,500m failed to live up to expectations at the KitKat Irish Schools track and field championships at Tullamore on Saturday.

McCarthy opened with a 57 second first lap, held a 10 metre lead over Coghlan at the 800m mark and went on to stamp his authority on the race — defying the windy conditions — to cross the line in 3:52.27 with Coghlan second in 3:56.00 from Donegal’s Ian Ward (Royal and Prior) in 3:56.54.

It was a courageous performance by the young Waterford athlete who admitted that his defeat by training partner, Niall Tuohy in the Munster championships influenced his preparations.