From Boston to Glasgow: Irish Seniors in Action This Weekend

It is another packed weekend on the international indoor circuit for senior Irish athletes, with competitors spread across the United States, mainland Europe, Britain and the Baltics. From deep distance fields in Boston to invitational action in Glasgow and combined events in Tallinn, Irish athletes are in action across a wide range of disciplines as the indoor season continues to build momentum.

Alongside the senior action outlined below, Irish collegiate athletes are also competing across the US this evening and tomorrow. A full rundown of Irish athletes racing on the NCAA circuit this weekend can be found via the link here.

John Thomas Terrier Classic

Boston, United States
Friday 30 January and Saturday 31 January

Irish interest begins on Friday night with Women’s Night at the John Thomas Terrier Classic.

Maddy Mooney of Tullamore Harriers lines up in the mile, continuing a steady progression through the indoor season, while clubmate Danielle Donegan takes on the 5000 metres in what is typically one of the deepest distance fields of the weekend.

Saturday’s Men’s Night sees a sizeable Irish presence, particularly over 5000 metres.

Leading the Irish challenge are Brian Fay of Raheny Shamrock AC and Nick Griggs of Candour Track Club. Fay continues to build on a strong winter, while Griggs arrives fresh from another solid performance last weekend, where he lowered the Irish under 23 indoor 3000 metres record. The pair anchor a large Irish contingent in the event.

They are joined by James Gormley of Carmen Runners, Callum Morgan of Candour Track Club, Micháel Power of West Waterford AC, Darragh McElhinney of Bantry AC and Michael Morgan of Sligo AC, underlining the depth of Irish endurance running currently active on the indoor circuit.

Morgan comes into the weekend in particularly good form after securing a win in Boston last weekend over 3000 metres, and will be aiming to carry that momentum into the longer distance.

Over 3000 metres, Jack O’Leary of Mullingar Harriers continues a strong run of form following impressive recent performances, including a solid showing at the European Cross Country Championships and the Valencia 10K.

The men’s mile also features strong Irish representation. Lughaidh Mallon of UCD AC will be one to watch after finishing second to Callum Morgan at the same Boston meeting last weekend, while James Dunne of Tullamore Harriers, Finn Diver of Beechmount Harriers and Kevin McGrath of Bohermeen AC also line up.

In the 800 metres, Cillian Kirwan of Raheny Shamrock AC steps indoors as part of his early season programme.

IFAM Gent Indoors

Ghent, Belgium
Saturday 31 January

Sprint and hurdle interest centres on Molly Scott of St Laurence O’Toole AC, who is entered in both the 60 metres and the 60 metre hurdles as she continues her indoor campaign.

Scottish Athletics EAP Indoor International

Glasgow, Scotland
Saturday 31 January

A broad Irish squad heads to Glasgow, with representation across sprints, middle distance, field events and para athletics.

In the sprints, Arlene Crossan of Finn Valley AC races the 200 metres, while Bori Akinola of UCD AC, Ciara Neville of Emerald AC and Sarah Leahy of Killarney Valley AC line up in the 60 metres. Akinola arrives in a rich vein of form after securing a Bronze Tour win in France last weekend and will be aiming to carry that speed into Glasgow.

Hugo Magee of Fast Twitch Athletics and Rachel McCann of North Down AC contest the 400 metres, while the middle distance entries include Ellie Harnett of UCD AC, Eimear Maher of Dundrum South Dublin AC and Mollie O’Reilly of Dundrum South Dublin AC. Maher finished second in the 1500m last Friday in Spain and will be hoping to build on that performance here.

In the para events, Orla Comerford of Raheny Shamrock AC competes in both the standard and para 60 metres. Comerford enjoyed an outstanding indoor season last year, including her run to the World Para Championships, and this marks her first meeting outside Ireland this winter.

Field event interest includes Lauren Callaghan of Finn Valley AC, who arrives in strong form after claiming a Bronze level win in Nantes last Friday in the long jump.

Tallinn Combined Events

Tallinn, Estonia
Friday 31 January and Saturday 1 February

Ireland is represented in the combined events by Anna McCauley of City of Lisburn AC, who contests the pentathlon. Early season multi event competitions provide a useful benchmark across all five disciplines.

Loughborough Indoor Open

Loughborough, England
Saturday 1 February

Several Irish field athletes are in action at Loughborough, with Sarah Buggy of St Abbans AC contesting the triple jump, Clodagh Walsh of Abbey Striders AC competing in the pole vault, and Michael Kent lining up in the long jump.

Millrose Games

New York, United States
Sunday 2 February

The weekend concludes with Irish representation at one of the most prestigious indoor meetings on the calendar.

Andrew Coscoran of Star of the Sea AC contests the men’s mile after finishing second in the 3000 metres at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix last weekend. He will be aiming to transfer that form to the shorter distance.

In the throws, the US based Eric Favors of Raheny Shamrock AC competes in the shot put, while Margaret Hayden of Tallaght AC lines up in the weight throw.

Middle distance interest is rounded out by Cian McPhillips of UCD AC, who steps up to the 800 metres following a memorable night in Boston last weekend, where he produced a commanding win over 600 metres against high quality opposition.

With Irish athletes competing from Boston to Ghent, Glasgow to Tallinn and New York, the weekend offers a clear snapshot of current form as the indoor season continues to unfold. Stay tuned with Run Republic as we cover all the action.