Saoirse O’Brien rose to the occasion once again to clinch gold and silver medals at the recent All-Ireland Indoor championships in Athlone.  David Marrey took home a gold medal after comfortably winning the boy’s U13 high jump event.  Jack Maher also got in on the act with a hard fought 3rd place finish in the U19 800m.  These impressive performances continues Westport AC’s success at national level.   
Saoirse O’Brien struck gold in the 1500m race with a masterclass in tactical running to come from behind to snatch victory at the death.   Saoirse followed this up with a personal best time in the 800m to take 2nd place, less than a second behind the winner.  Superb performances once again by this incredibly consistent athlete.   David Marrey, who only took up the high-jump last year, missed out narrowly on the medal places in 2017.  However, David continued his remarkable progression in this discipline to take the gold medal this time around.   Jack Maher showed his Connacht 4th place finish in the 800m was an aberration by taking the bronze medal at national level in a very competitive field.   This was Jack’s last race for Westport AC as he returns to his native Galway to join GCH.   We will monitor Jack’s promising career with great interest and take pride in our part of his development.
Jack Sweeney was desperately unlucky not to be in the medals as he finished 4th in both the long and high jump events.  If this plucky U12 youngster continues to work hard, he too can take his place on the podium next year.   Other Westport AC athletes to narrowly miss on the medals were the U15 duo of Maggie Chambers and Harry Sheridan.  Maggie finished 5th and Harry 4th in their respective shot put events.  They both know that even a little improvement may see their fortunes change next year.  At All-Ireland level, the margins between winning and losing are very small.  Another Westport athlete who put in a spirited performance was Con McNamara who gave his all in a competitive U16 1500m race.    All should be proud of their efforts and savour the experience of competing at this level.  
Due to the recent adverse weather conditions in the east of the country, the relays and older age field events have been postponed to the 7th April.  All eyes will be on “Westport AC Athlete of the Year” Adam Sheridan, who will be performing in the U17 shot put.  Best of luck Adam!  
In a separate event, Roisin O’Brien donned her first Irish vest in the SIAB School’s Cross Country event in Nottingham, England.  Roisin ran a superb race in helping the Irish team to a 3rd place finish in this international event.  A proud day indeed for Roisin and her family.