Raheny Shamrock AC brought their National Indoor League campaign to a proud conclusion with a 7th-place finish in the Final, amassing 58 points against the very best clubs in the country.

Having set a pre-season goal of simply reaching the final, team management were delighted not only to achieve that objective but to compete with distinction throughout all three rounds.

The day began with Mark Smyth in the 60m, where he opened his season with a second place finish in 6.88 seconds. The national indoor 200m record holder was making his return to competition after a frustrating series of injuries, and his performance signalled a timely return to form.

Next up for Smyth is the National Indoor Championships, where he will look to regain his national 200m title.

Over 1500m, Juan Ignacio delivered a commanding victory in 4:07, controlling proceedings from the front in a dominant display. The Chilean international has just returned from a two-month stint which included representing Chile at the Bolivarian Games in Peru, and his class was evident throughout.

It was a packed schedule for Mohammed Ibrahim Halil, who began his day in the Pole Vault. He cleared 4.00m, and spectacularly cleared 4.20m with room to spare, only for an unfortunate bar-setting error by officials to invalidate the jump. Forced to attempt the height again, he narrowly missed out and had to settle for second place with his 4.00m clearance.

Unfazed, Halil moved straight to the High Jump, clearing 1.85m for third place, before later returning to the track in the 60m Hurdles, clocking 8.93 on tired legs for sixth place — a remarkable contribution across three demanding events from the Algerian who is fast becoming a powerhouse for Raheny.

In the 400m, league stalwart Erik Sammon placed 8th, continuing his consistent contribution throughout the campaign.

Sammon’s St Fintan’s High School classmate Fionn DeWilde stepped outside his comfort zone in the Long Jump, also finishing 8th, highlighting the team-first approach that defined the day.

In the Weight for Distance (56lb), masters athlete Dave Moore threw 4.01m for sixth place, before later volunteering for the 1500m walk, where he placed 8th, underlining the team spirit that was so evident across the team on the day

Another St Fintan’s man, Ollie Macaulay, made his Triple Jump debut, recording 10.69m for sixth place — remarkably having been watching “How to Triple Jump” videos barely an hour earlier.

In the 800m, Luke Murphy — the “Raheny Dingo” — led from gun to tape, clocking 1:53.82. Athletes in a later heat edged him into third overall, but Murphy’s front-running bravery typified his immense value throughout the league campaign. He will undoubtedly be a key figure again in the Outdoor League.

In the 200m, Davyd Konovalov finished third in his heat in 22.48 from a difficult Lane 3 draw. His race was won by Olympian Marcus Lawler, and Konovalov showed admirable grit in one of his early senior appearances.

In the Shot Put, versatile squad member Stephen Morgan threw 7.04m for eighth place, adding more valuable points.

The penultimate track event, the 3000m, saw Shane Spring finish in 8:36.95 for fifth place, just two days after competing in the Armagh 5km — a testament to his strength and competitive appetite.

The day concluded with the 4x400m relay, where Ollie Macaulay, Theo Durcane, Fionn DeWilde and Erik Sammon combined to finish 7th in 3:47, closing out the competition in determined fashion.

Before the league began, team management's stated ambition was simple: make the final. That goal was achieved — and in the final, the team proved they belonged, competing strongly to secure 7th place overall.

Across three rounds, the squad demonstrated depth, versatility, resilience, and tremendous club spirit. Well done to every athlete who proudly wore the green and white throughout the campaign.

Attention now turns to the Outdoor League this summer, where we will look to build on the momentum, welcome back more athletes, and continue our upward trajectory.