McMahon shines at Mary Peters track

Christine McMahon, Kelly Neely and Ciara Mageean all impressed in a rain affected Belfast International Track and Field Meeting promoted by Beechmount Harriers, the Irish Milers Club and Athletics Northern Ireland at the Mary Peters venue.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th May 2016, 06:10 BST
Christine McMahon.Christine McMahon.
Christine McMahon.

Christine just lost out on a rematch with British Universities champion Jess Turner in 58.32 after leading into the straight but had the satisfaction of beating Euro finalists Jessie Barr into third.

World Masters champion Kelly Neely was leading home runner in the 800 as she came fifth in a blanket finish in 2:05.56 behind Katy Brown and Laura Crowe. Katie Kirk ran 2:05.92 in sixth with Erin McIlveen eighth.

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Ciara Mageean, hopefully on the way to Rio for the 1500, ran strongly to clock 9:07.47 in the 3000 after a blistering finish. She was pleased and will next race over the metric mile in Belgium.

Theo Campbell from Birchfield won the 400 in a best of 46.24 ahead of double European Indoor gold medallist David Gillick who was having only his second race since 2012. North Down’s rising star Andrew Mellon clocked 47.83 for fourth. Campbell later added the 200 in 21.40.

Poland took the top two places in a classy Mens 800 with Kamil Gurdak running 1:48.54 ahead of Matusz Borkowski and Cameron Boyek of Scotland.

Megan Marrs won the hurdles in 13.89 and came 2nd in the 100 while Euro U23 4th placer David King had a comfortable victory in the Mens hurdles.

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John Travers from Donore won the Men’s 3000 in 8:03.69 with David O’Flaherty and Conal McCambridge leading the mixed race and Dan Studley winning the 1500 in which James O’Hare came sixth.

James Hamilton knocked eight seconds off his best to win the B race in a Rio Paralympic qualifying time.

The Irish U20 squad took both relays ahead of Scotland in each case while Jim Corbett won the Wheelchair 1500 in a close finish with Harry Turkington.

William McKee claimed his third successive victory in the NIMRA Mountain Championship when he came first in the Annalong Horseshoe Race on Saturday.

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The favourite was always at the front as Colum Campbell, Gary Bailey and Shane Donnelly gave chase.

Bailey had moved into second at Commedagh with Donnelly looking good for third until a fast finish by Campbell.

Gillian Wasson just won the Women’s event by six seconds by Hazel McLaughlin with Jacqui Toal and Denise Mathers making up the top four.