Foster chasing sprint double in schools international

AMY FOSTER (Glenlola Collegiate School), silver medallist in the 100m at the European Youth Olympics last week, will be back in action at Tullamore on Saturday and hoping for a double in the Schools International between Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

Baileboro CS sprinter Gerry O’Reilly, who was desperately unlucky in Italy, missing out on bronze in the 200m by just .03 of a second, is also ready to take on the best of the cross-channel schools sprinters.

Brendan O’Neill (St. Michael’s College) was a winner at the corresponding meet last year and broke a 17 year-old record to claim the title at the Kit Kat Tailteann Inter-Provincial 3,000m title.

That was before he went to the EYOF in Italy where he had to sit it out until the final day of competition for his 3,000m event. He led the race into the final straight before tripping on the kerb and falling when he appeared to have a medal at his mercy.

Another win in Tullamore on Saturday will be a measure of compensation for the talented young Dubliner and an inspiration for the Irish team.

The boys team will be captained by Luke Mangan (Belvedere College) while talented young Waterford athlete Mairead Murphy (Mercy) will captain the girls.

Murphy will be joined by Kalyn Sheahan (Ursuline, Waterford) in both the 80m and 300m hurdles while another Waterford girl, Niamh Whelan (Presentation), will join Amy Foster in the sprints.

Imelda Morrison (Coláiste Eoin, Youghal) was an impressive winner of the long jump at the Tailteann Inter-Pro and can claim the title here if she is to build on that form while it will take a really big performance to beat Sarah Treacy (King’s Hospital) and Suzanne Huet (Loreto Foxrock) who have fought out some exciting finishes at championship level this year.