High jump in January?

Smiles on faces at Irishtown as the sun shone, albeit weakly. The damaged high-jump cover, fortified with black plastic, sandbags and scaffolding poles was dragged off the bed. The young athletes were split and Moya, Marion and Jim looked after one group whilst I led the HJ session. And the kids were just great. grasping the basics of the flop immediately. Even the one or two six and seven-year olds hurled themselves into the air with gay abandon. Thank goodness for the flexibar with which the little ones can jump without fear of a bruise.

I still read that it is unwise to deliver the Fosbury Flop to children under 11. All I can say is that I have been coaching HJ for a number of years now without any sort of problem. I used to be bemused that - in my Channel Islands days, Guernsey's youngsters invariably jumped with the scissors technique whilst we (Jersey) were all floppers. And yes, the odd long-legged girl from Guernsey used to win, but it was hardly conducive to building for the future.

And even Dale Darland, Guernsey's Olympian athlete (and a nicer guy you couldn't hope to meet) would perform an old-fashioned straddle when called upon to do high jump for points.

And then, with an eye on Raheny tomorrow we had an 800m race. A win for the only boy James Woods, an exellent second by Ciara Barry who is by nature a sprinter, but a remarkable run by Aoife Walsh who is still only six.

1. James Woods (U12) 3.20.0
2. Ciara Barry (U13) 3.23.5
3. Rachel Maher (U13) 3.26.2
4. Ella Thirrouiez (U11) 3.43.0
5. Orla Murray (U13) 3.43.8
6. Grainne McGuill (U13) 3.58.9
7. Jemima Mulligan (U13) 4.04.2
8. Aoife Walsh (U8) 4.07.1
9. Niamh Ferry (U12) 4.21.1
10. Jessica Hanley (U12) 4.23.5
11. Isabel O'Leary (U12) 4.24.0
12. Olibhia Collins (U12) 4.29.3
13. Juliet Storan (U12) 4.31.3
14. Rachel Mullaley 4.32.9
15. Katie Crilly 4.37.6
Laura Ferry also finished.