Darragh picks the right time to make his winning move

DARRAGH McElhinney has the perfect timing and tactical awareness to match his blistering speed and steely endurance.

The Glengarriff teenager ran a superb final 250 metres to win gold in the U20 men’s 1500m at the Irish Life Health U20 and U23 T&F Championships held at Tullamore Harriers’ stadium on Saturday.

This is the first national junior title that Darragh has won.

He picked the ideal time to make his winning move, catching his rivals unaware on the final lap as, stepping on the gas, he moved from fourth place to first to lead going around the final turn.

Despite the best efforts of his main rival Charlie O’Donovan (Leevale), Darragh held on to win in 4:17.29.

Darragh has also been officially selected to represent Ireland in the 5000m at the 2018 World Junior (U20) Championships in Finland. This will be the first time Darragh has raced at a world championships and his race in Tampere is on Saturday, July 14th.

Meanwhile, current Celtic Ross West Cork Youth Sports Star Laura Nicholson of Bandon AC opened up her season recently with a 1500m PB of four minutes and 32 seconds at the British Milers Club Grand Prix in Loughborough. She is continuing her comeback from injury and will compete at the upcoming U19 championships.