Report by Niamh Roe.

The National Masters Track and Field were held in Tullamore Co.Offaly on Saturday 9th August. Eagle respresentatives were Ann Marie Healy, Pat Murphy, Dave Muldowney and Tony Kelleher. It was a very mixed day weatherwise with some heavy torrential downpours along with some odd dry hot spells.

In the womens 800m we had Ann Marie from Eagle and Sharon McGarry from St.Finbarrs taking part. Ann Marie went through 400m in 71 seconds and was on the shoulder of the leader the whole way. She worked very hard and with less than 200 to go she started to edged past the leader and went on to win in a time of 2.24.9. Sharon took 3rd in approx 2.30.

In the men's 800m both Dave and Tony set PB's. From the gun both Eagle men were close to the front sitting on the shoulder of the leader. At the 400 mark the pace was upped and the group started to string out. With 200m to go Tony was in 2nd and Dave in 4th place and the kick for the line started in earnest. All the way down the  finishing straight Tony was hanging on just behind the leader but one final surge saw him hit the front with less than 10 metres to go and win in a time of 2.03.9. Dave moved into 3rd at 150m but was passed in the home straight by another fast finisher and ended up 4th in a 2.07/2.08, we are currently waiting for the official times. 

Ann Marie again took to the start line of the women's 1500m. She looked calm, composed and relaxed while sitting on the shoulders of the leaders. It was quickley strung out by a guest runner from Aberdeen who upped the pace, but she however could not sustain it and was passed by Marie Murphy from Waterford. Ann Marie was back in 3rd place with 400 to go but her usual strong finish brought her up to 2nd to finish in a time of 5.12 for her second medal of the day.

Dave also lined up for the men's 1500m. From the gun he again looked composed settling into 3rd place. Going out on the last lap the group were still fairly bunched together which resulted in some elbowing and spiking. Dave said later that this was a distraction for him but it did not deter him from running another PB (4.28) for himself to finish in 6th.  

The next of our male athletes was Pat Murphy who ran in the O/50 1500m. He looked very comfortable from the off and ran a fast 1st lap in 76 secs. He ran a very credible race to finish 7th in a time of 4.55 which he said was a seasons best and was very happy with it.

 All in all a good days outing for Eagle, bringing a close to the track racing season.