Con Doherty claims gold for Ireland

Doherty claims gold for Ireland


WESTPORT triathlete Con Doherty broke new ground last weekend when he won the Elite Junior Men’s race at the Waterways Ireland triAthlone Junior European Cup.
The teenager, who was representing Ireland in the event, won the first European title of his career in the process to make another piece of sporting history.
“I don’t know what it is but I just seem to perform well on these big occasions,” he remarked after the gruelling race. “There is such a good atmosphere in the Junior squad these days and we just push each other on to new levels. It makes racing easier because I know that I train with guys of this level all the time.”
The 4 lap run course, which contained some tough hills, suited the Rice College, Westport student and he began to pull away, much to the delight of the crowds lining the course. Doherty had time to grab a flag from the crowds and crossed the line well under an hour to claim Ireland’s first Junior European Cup win. Doherty is the current Junior World Bronze medal holder.
Waterways triAthlone hosted a fantastic event which drew large crowds to watch the top junior triathletes in Europe race over a fast and furious 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run.