Limerick athletics is back in the premier division of Irish senior team athletics for 2011, after an absence of many years, winning promotion in Tullamore this afternoon with 108pts ahead of Tallaght AC, but just behind winners Ferrybank AC on 119pts. The team co-managed by Dooneen's Simon Hogan, included seven Dooneen athletes who competed in 10 events five of whom were winners.
- Star of the day for Limerick was Dooneen's Anton Katayev, just back from holidays in Moscow, who set a new SB in the javelin thorwing over 50m to win comfortably and he followed this up to win the 56lb for distance and also set a new PB.
- Timmy Crowe just back fro the World Junior Finals in Canada, also did well winning his speciality the 400m hurdles with ease and then doing well to take second in the 400m flat.
- The versatile Emmanuel Sabayo also just back from his holidays in Waterford, had a great win in the 110m hurdles and was third in the high jump.
- Niall Counhan won his speciality the triple jump and then had to step in to run the 100m after sprint sensation Greg O'Shea and Rhys Joyce were deemed ineligible.
- Veteran John Sheehan stepped in to throw the discus and showed he still has what it takes when coming in fourth.
- Liam Reale 1500m Dave Fratorelli Shot and Hammer and Rolan Pika, Long Jump from Limerick AC together with Pat McCartan 800m and Aonghus McDomhnaill 5k completed the Limerick line up.
- Unfortunately Limerick were disqualified from the relays due to the strict enforcement of the over 16yrs rule which denied Limerick the services of one of Ireland's most exciting prospects Greg O'Shea and also his colleague Rhys Joyce.
- There is no doubt Limerick would have taken the title if athletes like Dooneen's Dave and Ger O'Shea, Cian Aherne, (all sprints), Nathan Jege (LJ and sprints), Zoltan Gyomber (400m), Gary Moloney (Throws), Cathal O'Connor (MD&SC), Stephen Howard (TJ&LJ), Paul Murphy (Walks), Kevin Lynch (Hammer) and Shane Lynch (MD & LD) were available.
But well done to all athletes and the management on the day for achieving this fine result for Limerick athletics.
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