Silver linings and broken records for Donegal athletes at National Indoors

No fairytale end, but a fine national senior medal for Fintan Dewhirst at the National Indoor Championships in Dublin.

Tir Chonaill AC’s Dewhirst took the silver medal in the 400m final, beaten to gold by Sean Doggett after a big battle at the National Indoor Arena.

Dewhirst raced to victory in his semi-final on Saturday, the Glenties man fuelled then by the news of the death of Tir Chonaill AC stalwart Eamon Harvey, winning the semi in 47.23 seconds.

Doggett roared away at the start from lane 3 and led at the bell. With about 150 metres to go, Dewhirst managed to get in front, edging ever so slightly in front but it was Doggett who had the finishing power to win in 47.33 seconds.

Dewhirst fell over the line for silver in 47.84 seconds, ahead of Crusaders AC’s Hugo Magee, who pocketed a bronze medal in 48.92 seconds.

On day 2 of these championships, there were silver medals for Dewhirst, Arlene Crossan, Lauren Callaghan, John Kelly and Caoimhe Gallen while James Kelly clinched a bronze.

Crossan earned a place on the podium in the women’s 400m thanks to a superb run. The Finn Valley AC athlete clocked a new Donegal record of 54.12 seconds to take silver behind Sharlene Mawdsley, who scorched to victory in 51.89 seconds.

Crossan, out of lane 4, went out hard and got the better of Jenna Breen (City of Lisburn) who was third in 54.39.

Mawdsley was the big favourite for the gold and didn’t disappoint as the Newport AC star sped home in style.

For Crossan - who competed at last year’s European Indoor Championships and European Teams Championships - this represents a big moment and keeps her in the mix at national level going forward.

Callaghan of Finn Valley AC set new Ulster and Donegal records to earn silver in the long jump.

Callaghan jumped out to a new best of 6.44m, the third time this year she has bettered the Donegal indoor record. 

Kate O’Connor was the long jump gold medal winner when leaping to 6.50m.

O’Connor opened up with a massive new PB of 6.50m and it proved enough to earn the Dundalk St Gerards woman the gold medal.

Callaghan was north of six metres on all six of her visits to the board.

The Killygordon woman opened up by going out to 6.29m and had at least silver all but secured when she went for the final time, touching the sand in a record-breaking 6.44m.

Riona Doherty, also of Finn Valley AC, was fourth in the long jump with a 5.42m best while Fodhla Nic Phaidin from Rosses AC was eighth, going a best of 5.16m.

Finn Valley AC’s Kelly brothers from St Johnston, John and James, were the silver and bronze medal winners in the shot put.

Eric Favors took the shot put gold, throwing out to a championship record 19.57m, that mark coming in his last attempt of the day.

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John Kelly, a multiple medallist at this level over the years and back from Sweden to compete in the nationals again, had a best of 18.19m for silver with his younger brother James bagging bronze with a 15.49m throw.

In the women’s shot, Caoimhe Gallen of Lifford-Strabane AC left with the silver medal. Gallen reached out to 13.02m to finish second behind the event winner Michaela Walsh from Swinford, who won with a 14.15m throw.