Dundalk athlete Allen gets European nod

St. Peter’s AC athlete Dearbhla Allen, this week, received the news that she had been selected as part of the Irish U20 team to compete in the upcoming U20 European Track & Field Championships in the 3000M Steeplechase race.

To be eligible for selection, Dearbhla had to achieve a standard which Athletics Ireland had set; the minimum standard had to be achieved at least twice, but the Dundalk athlete had managed to achieve this standard on four occasions, setting a PB of 10.29.5 over the gruelling event.

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So, although her selection had been expected in athletics circles, Dearbhla took nothing for granted until the word came officially.

Dearbhla has represented her Country on six previous occasions, but to get selected for a major championship is a whole new level and is a huge achievement and reward for her dedication and work ethic.

This is not only a huge honour for her but also for her club as this will be the first time a St Peter’s athlete will compete at this level.

The Championship will take place in Tampere, Finland, from the 7th to the 10th of August, with Dearbhla in action on Friday the 8th.

If she was to make it through to the final, then she would be out again on the following day, Saturday, for the final, which would be a tall order considering that she is eligible for this age group again next year, but with her courageous attitude, anything could happen.

On Sunday last, the Louth ladies' team, having qualified from the preliminary round, did battle in the national league final.

The St Peter’s club had four athletes who donned the Louth singles over both days, helping their team to a memorable bronze medal. Abbie Sheriden led the way with victory in the 3000M, running a new PB of 9.50.

Dearbhla Allen ran her last race before her European adventure, gaining valuable points in the 2000M Steeplechase in a new PB of 6.50. Abbie then ran the first leg of the 4X400M relay.

Both the two girls had also run in the previous round, along with them on the first day was Niamh Brady, who ran in the 1500M and along with clubmate Orla McLoughlin ran in the 4X400M.

They both scored vital points in in order for Louth to qualify for the final, they also played their part in this victorious campaign.

Next up this weekend, the club will have two athletes compete in the National Senior track & field Championships with Abbie Sheriden going in the 3000M Steeplechase and Cian Gorham running in the men’s 1500M.

While closer to home on Friday night, the club will have athletes taking to the roads of Carlingford for the Glenmore AC 5K and juvenile road races.