Fintan Dewhirst hits mark in Leaving Cert but ‘disappointed’ with World U-20 result 

Fintan Dewhirst admits missing out on a place in the World U-20 400m hurdles semi-finals was a difficult result to accept. 

The Glenties native and Tír Chonaill AC athlete crossed the line in fifth place in 51.65s with Spain’s Joaquin Alonso taking fourth in a time of 50.22 and, in the process, taking a last-four qualification berth. 

Dewhirst is set to begin third-level education in Limerick this coming Monday morning having earned a spot at UL studying Sports and Exercise Science. 

But at this moment, he’s still reflecting back on his efforts in Peru and wondering what might have been. 

“There was a little difference in the time, fourth and fifth and that’s the annoying thing,” he told DonegalLive. “It was a really good experience but in terms of expectations, to be dead honest, it was quite disappointing. 

“I know I finished eleventh in the world but going out there that wasn’t the ambition. I went out there to look to hit top eight at least.”

Speaking prior to his departure to South America last week, Dewhirst explained that a spot on UL’s coveted Sports and Exercise degree course warranted over 500 points. 

And while he did miss out on a place in the semi-finals of the World U-20 400m hurdles, he did at least find out, touching down in Peru, that he’d made that cut. 

“Funny story! I was only able to log on to the CAO website to see my results as we landed in Peru. I got just enough, skin of my teeth stuff. It was a bit of a relief toughing down and the pressure was off a little. 

“I mean it’s an academic decision of course, going to UL, but in terms of pushing on on the track, it was really important that I got what I needed”.

Dewhirst now hopes that exposure to a high-performance environment will, in the next few years, help him continue to trim seconds off his current times. 

“There is that scope now to improve and I’d say in a few weeks, as I settle in and look to make those improvements, I’ll put the experience of Peru to good use. And there is big improvements to be made in the next few years.  

“With that training group environment now in Limerick I’m really looking forward to it. I’m moving down this Friday with my course starting on Monday.”

Dewhirst says he comfortably came through his heat, finishing second, and expected to hit the required time to progress. 

Still, in what was effectively his debut on the world stage, he says he was nervous taking to the track. 

“We landed Friday, August 23. So there were a few days to just aclimatise. There was a four-day period and on the fifth day I was on the track. 

“I’m part of the Performance Pathway in Ireland and they’d have loads of information on things like combatting jetlag, how heat affects the body and different things. 

“So you try to stay on top of that. It’s six hours behind so eating patterns and making sure you’re getting the right nutrition at the right times is also important. 

“I adapt quite well to that kind of thing.   

“In the heat race, I was quite nervous beforehand. It was my first race ever on a world stage, at that level. I knew I was quick enough to get into the semis. 

“I came around the last bend and I eased up a little and broke into a jog for the last hurdle as I knew I was going to do it. The time wasn’t great but the aim was to get through and that was achieved. 

“You’re sort of slowing down and conserving energy right away and turning attention to the semi-finals. I remember coming off… I did a quick interview with Cathal Dennehy and straight into the ice bath. 

“I jumped out of that and I was straight into a taxi to get home to the hotel and get to sleep. You’re very much thinking about the next step.

“Like I said, there are plenty of learnings to take, about how you look after yourself on and off the track in competition.  I’ll rest up now and then it’s down to Limerick to begin the next chapter. 

“I’ll enjoy the Harvest Fair first and then see what’s next!”