Young stars set for Celtic challenge

Jade Williams won bronze in the hammer at the EYOF

Lindie Naughton

Members of the Irish team which competed with such distinction at the recent European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) pull on the green singlet again for this Saturday's Celtic Games in Santry.

Jade Williams of Shercock Athletic Club who took bronze in the girls' hammer at the EYOF and threw a personal best 61.08m in the qualifying round, will compete in her favourite event. Liscarroll's Ciara Sheehy goes in the U16 discus and Miriam Daly of Carrick-on-Suir AC in the U18 400m and relay.

Daly, a veteran of last year's Celtic team, was part of the Irish team that took bronze at the EYOF.

Also selected for the relay is Molly Brown of MSB who ran the 800m at the EYOF.

A number of all-rounders are also picked, notably Sophie Meredith of St Mary's Limerick in the long jump and Anna McAuley of City of Lisburn for the 100m hurdles and relay. Last year, McAuley won the 100m at the same event.

Of the boys, Louis O'Loughlin of Donore Harriers, who made the boys 800m final at EYOF, runs in the 800m and the 4x400 relay.

A strong boy's U18 team includes James Maguire of DSD in the 1500m, James Kelly of Finn Valley AC in the shot, Tony Odubote of Ennis TC in the 400m and 4x400 relay and Joseph Finnegan Murphy of Dublin Striders in the 100m and 4x100m relay.

Also competing are development teams with Craig Giles of Clonliffe in the 800m and Ruarcan ó Gibne of Boyne AC in the steeplechase among those picked.

The Irish will take on teams from Scotland and Wales. Ireland won the title last year in Swansea.