BY LEE MAGINNIS
THREE Northern Ireland women athletes were in Combined Events action over the weekend. Commonwealth Games silver medallist Kate O’Connor took on the heptathlon in Arona, Tenerife, while Brynja Brynjarsdottir (Editor’s Choice winner at last month’s Local Women Sports Awards) and Anna McCauley competed on the Greek island of Cyclades.
For Anna, this was a welcome return to form for the former City of Lisburn AC athlete, who now competes for City of Sheffield and Dearne AC. She opened with 14.70 in the 100m hurdles and followed this up with a 1.79 personal best in the high jump. Her first day of action saw her close with 11.27 in the shot and 25.61 in the 200m. Day two saw Anna long jump 5.55, throw 34.78 in the javelin and finish off with a superb 2:18 in the 800m. She was rewarded with a total of 5426 points and 8th place overall.
Brynja is no stranger to readers, is still at school and the youngest of the trio. Competing for City of Lisburn AC and Iceland, she is coached by former multi-eventer Wendy Philips. She started well with a personal best in the hurdles of 15.13, followed by 1.58 in the high jump, 8.54 in the shot and 26.74 in the 200m. Day two saw an excellent 5.63 long jump, 24.94 in the javelin and she finished off with 2:23.26 in the 800m. This was enough for 15th overall and a points total of 4604.
Meanwhile in Tenerife, Newry’s Kate O’Connor ran 13.94 in the hurdles, improving from her last outing in Italy. She followed this with 1.72 in the high jump, 12.79 in the shot and 25.27 in the 200m. Day two saw her go over six metres for the second time in weeks in the long jump with 6.04. She then threw 49.08 in her specialist javelin which saw her move right up the placings. In the 800m she ran 2:17.07 which was enough for a points total of 6009 and 2nd place overall.
Brynja Brynjarsdottir
Kate O’Connor
