Funding boost for triathlete Reid

The ISC’s International Carding Scheme provides €1.6 million in funding to be distributed amongst 85 athletes from 15 different sports.

Gleneagles native, Reid is to receive the top level of funding this year up from ‘World Class’ level of 20,000 euros in 2013 to ‘Podium’ level of 40,000 euros in 2014.

The funding increase is a welcome boost following Ireland’s best ever triathlon result when Reid secured silver in the World Triathlon Series Grand Final in London.

Bryan Keane and 22 year-old Ben Shaw will also receive funding from the Irish Sports Council while a further 17 members of Triathlon Ireland’s Junior Performance Squad and four U23 and Development athletes will be supported by Triathlon Ireland directly, through athlete services and financial assistance.

Meanwhile championship indoor action at both Athlone and Glasgow was a mixed bag for local athletes.

With big hope for National Senior honours in Athlone, Connor Bradley was unable to compete because of illness, but at the Scottish U18/20 championships the talented teenage Spartan Naomi Morgan claimed two impressive silver medals in the U20 Long Jump and 60m Hurdles. She was just out-leaned on the line in the Hurdles final but had the satisfaction of posting a new PB of 9.32s.

The 17-year-old went close again in the Long Jump. Her silver medal jump of 5m 35cm only 3cms shy of the gold.

A very good recent few weeks Indoor for Naomi as she added to her Ulster gold and National bronze won at Magherafelt and Athlone respectively.

Eight locals travelled to Glasgow and all performed well without adding to Morgan medals.

Switching to trail running and staying with the silver theme, both Foyle Valley’s Pius McIntyre and the Spartans Anne Paul took their respective runners-up spots at race four in the Sperrin Harriers Winter League at An Chreagain on Saturday.