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Newry AC juniors continue to deliver success and silverware when it matters - at championships. This year's Ulster Championships saw two Newry AC athletes podium in middle & long distance events. Middle distance athlete Luc Le Blanc (u16) picked up a double podium across the blue ribbon events of 800 and 1500. Luc narrowly missed out on the 800 crown by five tenths of a second to Letterkenny's Darragh Naughton who broke the tape in a blistering 2:04.71 for two laps of the oval, with Luc in second place clocking 2:05.12. In the 1500 Luc closed out the podium securing 3rd place in 4:25.31, four tenths of a second behind second place Pauric Kelly of Armagh AC.
On the topic of middle distance athletics, as was evident in a recent poorly researched and poorly formed article published around sporting success of Newry natives, the blue ribbon distances of track & field are evidently unvalued and unappreciated in these parts. Although those who do appreciate that ture athletic performances are primarily laid down on tartan and not tarmac also know that Newry's greatest athlete, a Newry AC athlete who was mysteriously not mentioned in the article, was themselves prolific in these middle distance events. Said athlete in 2012 became and remains to this day Ireland's youngest ever 800m senior champion, whilst also representing their country at a world level, a feat not matched or rivaled by Newry athletes. How this athlete was overlooked remains a question only the author of the aforementioned article can answer..
In the 3000m distance specialist Megan Barnet (u16) took home silver dipping under 11 minutes with a showing of 10:59.47. Megan has been dominant on the local road racing scene in recent months picking up countless race victories and podiums, her most recent was only a few days out from the Ulster Championships, which saw her take victory at the Craigavon Lakes 5k. The most valued currency in athletics is championship medals and Megan's display at the Ulster championships, securing a podium finish when it mattered most, will no doubt be the highlight of her season so far.
Both athletes have qualified for the All Ireland championships where they will represent the club and Newry vest at the highest level possible on the Island of Ireland.
