Deirdre strikes gold in Belfast
Deirdre Byrne, Sli Cualann A.C., on her way to winning the Senior Women's 3000m final at the Woodie's DIY Senior Indoor Track and Field Championships of Ireland in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast last weekend.
Wednesday February 10 2010
DEIRDRE BYRNE of Sli Cualann AC produced another quality performance at the Woodie's DIY Senior Indoor Track and Field Championships of Ireland in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast last weekend. The meet provided an actionpacked weekend of competition, with athletes from across Ireland battling it out for national titles.
The championships also provided athletes with an opportunity to show form and achieve qualification standards for the IAAF World Indoor Track and Field Championships which take place in Doha in March.
Byrne lined up in the Women's 3,000m and led from the gun with Hazel Murphy, DSD AC and Kerry Harty, Newcastle AC.
The leading three went through the first 1,000m in 3.02 minutes. With seven laps to go Byrne and Murphy broke away from Harty.
Byrne made a decisive move with four laps to go to win, Murphy was second in 9.05.43 minutes and Harty placed third in 9.26.41 minutes.
At last year championships Byrne ran a solo race and achieved the qualification standard for the European Indoor Championships in Turin, where she finished 11th in 9.08.89 minutes.
The Wicklow athlete had qualified for the final as a fastest loser with a Personal Best of 9.00.67. This time is within the qualification standard for this year's World Indoor Championships. Her performance in the Odyssey has booked her place on the Irish Team having been named on the Athletics Ireland provisionally list for the championships which was announced on Monday.
The Wicklow athlete also lined up in the Women's 1500m and lead until the final lap until Kelly McNiece of City of Lisburn made a move on the inside to win in a championships best performance of 4.14.63 minutes. Byrne finished second in 4.15.8 minutes
Meanwhile there was also success for fellow Wicklow athlete Darragh Graham who won the 200 metres title in Belfast.
