Finnegan edged out in dramatic finish

The race of the day at the Junior and u-23 Indoor Championships in Athlone IT last weekend was undoubtedly the junior women’s 800m where Amy Hamill (Glaslough Harriers) shaded Rose Finnegan (Bohermeen) – both were timed at 2:18.96.

Finnegan, who is still eligible next year, had recently posted a new 800m PB and looked the part of a medal hungry athlete in the warm up.

She duly responded when the pressure came on after the Bohermeen athlete was clipped (heels) after 300m and almost hit the deck.

However, Finnegan maintained her composure and showed great aggression as she took the lead with a lap to go before Hamill joined her in front and they crossed the line together.

Despite both being awarded the same time Hamill took the gold with a dramatic dip on the line.

KEVIN MCGRATH

Bohermeen’s Kevin McGrath maintained his dominance with another gold-winning performance.Having won the title last year as a 16-year-old and with still two more years in the grade, McGrath, who last week won the Young Sportsperson of the Year award, retained his 1500m title in impressive style.

After lying safe in the pack for a few laps McGrath took control in the final lap to take the gold in 3:59.90.

The European Youth Olympics 1500m champion will now have his eyes firmly fixed on getting the European Youths standard in the coming weeks for the inaugural European Youths Championships that will take place in Tbilisi, Georgia in July.