Eamon Murphy was in flying form in the national masters track and field championships in Tullamore on Saturday last . The North Sligo athlete was competing in the over 55 800m in the morning, he ran a great race and was just edged out by .4 of a second in a very tight finish by national record holder in his age group Michael Councel of Trim AC. This was Murphy's first run at the national level over 800m and to run 2 min 15.73 sec was a great achievement, John O Gorman from North Clare AC was 3rd in 2min 18.53. Very heavy showers delayed the huge track programme and it was 6 pm when Murphy took part in his 2nd middle distance race of the day the 1500m. This was another top quality hotly contested race Patrick Malone from Newbridge AC led a breakaway group of 3 athletes and led the field until 150m to go when Eamon Murphy hit the front and made the drive for home but he was caught by Michael Councel less than 50m from the line who won in 4 min 40.97 secs with Murphy 2nd in 4 min 41.97 sec and Malone 3rd in 4 min 47.49 sec. This was another top-notch performance from the fleet footed Cliffoney resident and to be involved in 2 very competitive races and come away with 2 national medals is a testimony to his competitiveness and resilience. Peter Gallagher ran in the over 40 1500m he had a fine run finishing 4th in 4 min 36.78 secs in his first run in a national track competition. Michael Carney had to pull out of the over 70 1500m with a hamstring pull.
The first 3 in the National Masters over 55 in 1500m: Eamon Murphy North Sligo AC, 2nd Michael Councel Trim AC 1st, Patrick Malone Newbridge 3rd.