Inside Track: Kate shines brightest at a time of several successes

It’s all been happening in the world of sport, populated by footballers, horse-owners and one special athlete, from around these parts.

Wins at international, national and local levels have been recorded, with, not for the first time, pride of place going to Kate O’Connor.

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The Dundalk heptathlete gave us days remember over the recent indoor season, winning European bronze and World silver. She’s now back on a winning trail, this time competing outdoors in her favourite event.

By winning at the FISU World University Games in Bochum, Germany, last week, O’Connor collected gold, and now has brought up a significant hat-trick.

There are more prizes to be won this season, but more prominent than ever on the horizon are the Olympic Games, coming up in 2028. Staying injury-free, she should go to Los Angeles with a genuine chance of again making the podium.

The 24-year-old’s win in Germany, defeating the cream of student athletes was emphatic. She dominated from the word go, finishing in the top three in each of the first four disciplines.

That gave her an unassailable lead going into the final event, the 800m. She could have gone for a stroll in this, but, no, this saw at her competitive best, challenging a Polish runner for the lead all the way to the tape.

Her second spot in a personal best 2:10,46 earned her 958 points, and, added to what she had already accumulated, gave her a total of 6,487, which was 190 points inside her national record, set in Italy four years ago.

A couple of photos in a national newspaper brilliantly portrayed what this latest success meant to the Dundalk lass, who is attached to the St Gerard’s Club.

TREBLE UP

When Happy Pharoah sprinted clear from the others to win at Leopardstown by just over three lengths on Thursday last, he completed a treble for local owners. A week earlier, Hero Of The Hour and Doctor Grace were successful on the same cards at Down Royal.

Happy Pharoah carries Frank Lynch’s red-and-white colours and is trained by Donnacha O’Brien, one of an Irish Racing dynasty, the young man a son of the legendary Aidan and brother of Joseph, both high in the training ranks.

Taking his place in a €14,000 Rated race, the apprentice-ridden three-year-old was always in the vanguard, before coming home well clear of his nearest rival. It was the Coolmore-bred’s second successive win at the Dublin track.

Hero Of The Hour’s win compensated for an unlucky defeat at Bellewstown a week earlier. Knockbridge’s David Hoey ownes this lad, who is likely to be seen out again shortly.

Like the Lynch horse and Doctor Grace, whose win at Down Royal was over 1m 5f, Hero Of The Hour could be on on Dundalk’s big August 15 card, which forms part of the second dual meeting of the year at the track. Later on, the final of the €20,000 Dundalk Sprint features on the greyhound racing card.

Owned by the Dundalk Racing Club, one of the country’s longest-established syndicates, Doctor Grace had leading apprentice, Sam Coen, aboard, and having gone close on previous occasions, this win wasn’t coming out of turn.

BETTER MENTION IT

Inside Track would never be forgiven by fellow Ramparts-frequenters if mention wasn’t made of Dundalk Gaels’ league win. It was clinched with victory over Kilkerley Emmets last Saturday week, and on the evening of another win in the meantime, the Old Gaels Cup was presented to captain, Dylan McKeown.

It’s not the first time this particular trophy has found a resting place in Páirc na nGael. It’s been there several times, and, it has to be admitted, at no time in the past did promotion, which goes with it, results in an extended stay in the top tier. May this time.

BACK ON THE BIKE

As this is been written, as nearly always on a Friday night, John Murphy and Ger Cunningham, one of Dundalk FM’s durable duos – Gussie Hearty was given the night off – are bringing news of an Oriel Park win for the locals.

The defeat of Wexford Town keeps Ciarán Kilduff’s students at the head of affairs in the First Division, and is the perfect fillip after recent league defeats and an exit from the FAI Cup.

That 2-0 loss to Sligo in the knock-out may not have been the worst thing that could have happened. It allows for concentration to be strictly centred on making a quick return to the Premier League, which was the chief Oriel objective before the season began.