Sizzling performances at Ulster Championships for the Mc Veighs

Report by Siobhán Grant

Whilst everyone flocked to the seaside and dusted off their buckets and spades on Sunday, the McVeighs had the chickens, goats, pigeons and dogs fed by 6am and had packed up the white wagon just as the sun was saying hello for the first time on what would be a very hot day for everyone. With the stat nav set for Donegal for the Children’s Games and Ulster U12 and U13 Championships hosted by Finn Valley AC.

The 3 hours trip cross country as temperatures began to rise, was filled with laughter and plenty of talk about event tactics. Ensuring the suncream was well applied, water was continually on tap and a plethora of sugary ice creams and lollies to hand, Maisie, Connaire Og and Harry had to manage a multitude of events throughout the day and find that little extra when they needed it the most.
The blue of the track at Finn Valley was like an extension of the clear blue sky and event after event, over 600 competitors took part in a range of track and field events from U9 to U13.
Harry was first to embrace the track in the U11 Boys 60m sprint. Being a junior in this events age category didn’t deter the young McVeigh boy from pushing himself to complete the race in 9.42 in his heat to take 7th place overall.
Maisie, who until less than a month ago, had never jumped a hurdle in her life, took to the line for the U13 girls 60m hurdles. With a solid foundation in sprinting, a strong and controlled form and no fear, she set off strong out of the blocks to take 3rd place in her heat. Later she went on in the final to secure 3rd place, taking 3 tenths of a second off her qualifying time for am 11.255  finish, adding another building block to her early hurdling career. There is no doubt that over the summer, Maisie will work hard on her hurdling technique thanks to the club committee who are investing in some new equipment to aid the junior development programme.
Connaire Og too, found himself on the track shortly after for the U12 boys 80m sprint. Showing great promise and track awareness, Oggie continues to train hard and really push his own limits ensuring that each race, he produces consistent performances time and time again. He crossed the line in 10.12 seconds. A phenomenal run for this young man.
The event Harry had his eye on was the U11 Boys 600m. Preferring the middle distance events on track, Harry commanded his heat from the gun. Knowing it was the best of two heats, he had to manage his pace, his race strategy and engage complete focus even without any threat from competitors in his race, he was also racing against the other heat. Knowing this, it was evident with 200m to go that Harry had let the handbrake off and was freewheeling at an alarmingly fast pace towards the finish line, untouched by other competitors in the field behind him. He crossed the line in 1.53.45, taking 2nd place overall and securing a track 600m pb in the process.
The U13 girls 80m sprint was next for Maisie. Preferring the shorter track events more recently, Maisie made light work of the 80m and cruised into the final. With only half a second separating the top 8 girls in the final, it was always going to be a close call but I doubt anyone could have imagined it would be quite so close. When the results were published and there was only five thousandths of a second between 3rd and 4th place. With Maisie the latter, she missed out on a podium place by the smallest of margins. However that did not detract from her spectacular performances, so soon after a bumper back to back podium earning event before that in the hurdles.
As the day rolled on, the ice cream kept coming, suncream was reapplied and the top supporter, the youngest Mc Veigh, Miss Tilly, had left her support crew post for a mid afternoon nap. Yet there was still more to come. Connaire Og toed the line for the U12 boys 600m. Setting off strong and hanging onto the lead group. Connaire Og took advantage of the wilting runners after a long, hot day by the track and put in a strong finish to complete the race in 2.04.7 which equated to 13th place overall.
Maisie followed behind in the U13 girls 600m race. It was visibly clear that every young lady, toeing the line would have preferred to have been chilli out in a paddling pool in the shade, than to be soaking up the heat bouncing off the track and finding 600m of their fastest pace available.
With the clock fast approaching 6pm, Maisie had already achieved so much in one day and was still digging to find that something extra, proving the calibre of this young athlete to handle the pressure and maintain a high level of professionalism right to the last minute of a long day. Putting in a strong race she crossed the line 3rd in her heat however on this occasion, she was outrun by runners in the other heats. Though after the days earlier performances, it was clear Maisie was delighted with how she performed throughout the day and a testament to her dedication to her growth as a multi event athlete.
The yellow and red vests of Newcastle AC had graced the podium at Finn Valley over 100mile away from home. Daddy Connaire was doing live feeds back to those who were invested in the kids performances, passing on messages of support and encouragement throughout the day to keep morale high. Returning to number 117, it was time to feed all the animals, again and put them to bed, closely followed by the whole McVeigh troop though not before the new medals were hung up and on show for all to see on the wall.
Representing Newcastle AC Juniors at Finn Valley on Sunday

Representing Newcastle AC Juniors at Finn Valley on Sunday

Harry proud to show off his 2nd place medal in the U11 Boys 600m.

Harry proud to show off his 2nd place medal in the U11 Boys 600m.

Maisie fresh from her podium finish in the 60m Hurdles

Maisie fresh from her podium finish in the 60m Hurdles