Two Laois teenagers performed extremely well as Ireland claimed a silver medal in the Combined Events international competition at the weekend.
Portlaoise AC’s Dan Downey and Emo-Rath’s Cillin Hoey were joined on the Irish team by Ryan Onoh and Wojciech Fraczek who are from Cork.
Dan is a secondary school student in Portlaoise CBS while Cillin attends Colaiste Iosagain.
The lads had to compete against the best of England, Scotland and Wales in a range of events – beginning with the 60 metre hurdles.
Dan did this in a time of 8.82 seconds while Cillin ran a time of 8.90 seconds.
In the Long Jump, Dan’s effort of 6.21 metres was good enough for fourth overall while Cillin managed 5.16 metres.
Dan’s time of 23.99 seconds in the 200 metres was good enough for second overall while Cillin was 11th with 25.23 seconds.
A throw of 10.67 metres in the Shot Put left Downey in ninth with Hoey just behind in 12th following his effort of 10.13 metres.
Downey’s specialist event is the 800 metres and he didn’t disappoint.
The teenager was quickest of the lot with a time of 2.03 while Hoey was 10th with 2.20.
Athletes gained points for each event and when all were complete, Downey was third on the table individually and claimed a bronze medal.
While he, Hoey and the lads from Cork collectively did well enough to lead Ireland to silver overall.
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