Conna’s teenage track star takes another national title

Conna’s Senan O’Reilly is on the up and up having just won the 800m at the Tailteann Schools Interprovincial Games.

The 15-year-old St Colman’s College student now holds both the All-Ireland Schools and Tailteann Schools’ titles.

Speaking with The

Avondhu on Monday, Senan said he was feeling ‘confident’ going into the race last weekend.

“I kind of knew I had the win. Just two weeks before, I had the win at the All-Ireland Schools, so I was pretty confident going into it,” he said.

While running was initially a method of keeping fit for soccer for the Conna teenager, the sport has now taken preference as Senan has his sights set on taking further titles in the future.

“I mainly did it to get my fitness up for soccer but then I started competing and I really liked it and now I’m the All-Ireland Schools’ champion and the Tailteann champion,” he enthused.

POTENTIAL

As a member of St Catherine’s Athletic Club, Senan is also coached by Ken Nason of Leevale AC, who he began training under at the end of last year.

“He was doing it to help with his fitness and soccer but I knew he had potential, because he did a race during the summer and his times were good,” Senan’s mother Lorraine said.

Senan ran his first race of the season this year at the MTU Open Graded League, finishing with a time just two seconds off the qualifying standard for the European Youth Olympics Festival. Since that race, Senan has been consistently hitting the qualifying standard in nearly every race.

His second race was the South Munster Schools where he came in at 1.57, and then he competed in the Munster Schools, where he hit 1.56.3.

Frank Hayes, a coach with St Catherine’s AC, said that while Senan has been with the club since he was nine or ten years old, in recent times he has begun to take athletics much more seriously.

“To win the Tailteann Schools’ 800m, it’s a huge achievement by him. To get that standard, there’s very few around achieving what he is,” Frank said.

YOUTH OLYMPICS

Senan has now been nominated to represent Ireland at the European Youth Olympics which take place in Slovakia from July 24th to 31st and it is hoped that he will soon be confirmed in the final line-up.

“He’s very raw, very fresh and new to the sport but he’s adapting quickly. He has developed naturally and has showed a good natural ability for it,” his mother Lorraine added.

It’s no surprise that Senan has taken to running as his mother was also a promising athlete in her teenage years and had represented Ireland in the long jump and long hurdle.

His sister, Meghan Carr is also involved in the sporting scene, having run nationally in both cross country and track & field and holds medals in cross country running. She also plays soccer for Cork City FC and has represented Ireland in the sport.

“There is definitely a level of fitness and speed within the family. Senan is so motivated and passionate about running, he eats, sleeps and breathes it,” Lorraine said.

STEPPING UP

Initially, the teenager began training three to four days a week, but he has gradually built up his mileage and now trains five days a week with two intense sessions.

When Senan realised his talent and ability in the sport, he decided to take a step back from soccer.

“He really loved playing soccer and he loved all the lads and coaches, but when he got the qualifying standard for the European Youths, he had to step away from it and make the decision to focus on athletics.

“It’s quite competitive, there are guys with years of experience. For Senan, he had to be patient with his training until he had some experience behind him. Now, he’s had a cracking season so far and hopefully, it will continue,” Lorraine said.

This coming weekend, the Conna teenager will be representing St Catherine’s AC in the All-Ireland U17 800m - we wish him continued success.