by Perri Williams
The worlds longest consecutively held national track and field championships is taking place this Saturday and Sunday (Aug 2nd and 3rd) at Morton Stadium, Santry. Expect to see many of Ireland’s elite and aspiring elite athletes in action.
Topping the bill, will be a plethora of medallists from this year’s major championships including recent World University and European u23 silver medallist Nicola Tuthill (Hammer) along with European Indoor 3000m champion Sarah Healy (800m). Entered too are Mark English (400m/800m), Sharlene Mawdsley (200m/400m), along with Sarah Lavin (100m Hurdles), Andrew Coscoran (1500/5000m), Cathal Doyle (1500m) and Cian McPhillips (800m). There are so many fantastic athletes in action we simply cannot mention them all. That short list should be enough to tempt you to read on for more details about your favourite athletes. Unfortunately we will be without Rashidat Adeleke (Tallaght) who is focusing on her fitness after an early season injury and World University Heptathlon Champion Kate O'Connor (Dundalk St Gerards). O'Connor took to social media today and posted "me and my team have decided that competing at national champs so soon after (the World University Games) is a step too far". But you will catch O'Connor watching and enjoying the atmospher on Sunday.
Racewalking
The weekends proceedings kick off with the men’s 10,000m racewalk, where David Kenny (Farranfore/Maine) is the favourite to take the title. Can Kate Veale (West Waterford) add yet another title to her continuous streak or will the rising talent close that gap? With a total of 26 national titles, it is hard to see Veale take home any colour medal other than gold. Behind her are a bunch of talented younger athletes who are coming nicely through the ranks and ready to set the world on fire. As with other years there are large numbers taking part in the ladies’ event, with the minor podium spots up for grabs.
Sprints
Traditionally not our preserve, in recent years our sprinting talent has been on the rise, with medals on the European and World stage. There is the much-anticipated rematch between Bori Akinola (UCS) and Isreal Olatunde (Tallaght) over 100m, with that final scheduled for 6.10pm on Sunday. The last time these two athletes met was the National Indoors where Akinola was the victor. The recent good from produced by Olatunde could reverse that situation. Then there is the question of the bronze medal – will Michael Farrelly (Raheny) creep in there or can he challenge the two aforementioned super sprinters.
Rashidat Adeleke (Tallaght) unfortunately won’t be present to defend her 100m title this year, which will leave the title wide open. On recent form the contenders for podium places look like Ciara Neville (Emerald AC), Sarah Leahy (Killarney Valley AC), Lauren Roy (Fast Twitch AC), and Molly Scott (St. Laurence O’Toole AC). Sarah Lavin is entered in the 100m hurdles, 100m and 200m. With just over an hour scheduled between the 100m final and hurdles final – will Lavin opt for the 200m?
The athletes have us guessing for the 200m and 400m with many entered in both with the possibility of choosing one over the weekend. All the big names like Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport), Sophie Becker (Raheny), Phil Healy (Bandon), Cliodhna Manning (KCH), Rachel McCann (North Down), Lauren Cadden (Sligo) and Arlene Crossan (Finn Valley) are scheduled to run (on paper). Additionally recent European Youth bronze medallist Erin Friel (Letterkenny) is set to compete.
The men’s 400m is equally competitive (again on paper) with Mark English (Finn Valley) also entered. Whether English goes in the 400m or in the 800m, both options will produce interest. Can he outrun all the traditional 400m runners and how close can the much improved Cian McPhillips come in the 800m. 44 athletes are entered for the men’s 400m, an ode to the increasing popularity of the event. Other names to watch out for are: Jack Raferty (Donore), Cillian Green (GCH) and Chris O'Donnell (North Sligo). Our u20 athletes are choosing to not compete with their looming European championships.
The men’s 200m will see another battle between the two Carlow natives Marcus Lawlor (Clonliffe) and Adam Murphy (Tinryland). At the national indoors it was Lawlor who took the gold. Can Murphy manage to topple the ubiquitous Lawlor?
Middle Distance
There is plenty to get excited about when it comes to the middle-distance races. Should Mark English opt for the 800m, all eyes will be on Cian McPhillips (UCD) as a potential usurper for national glory. The ladies 800m will be equally as compelling as Sarah Healy (UCD) will take on Sophie O’Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh) and Jenna Brommell (Emerald AC) who has lowered her times this year to 2:00.53, the fastest run by an Irish woman in 2025.
The 1500m is often billed as the signature event of athletics and this weekend if all those entered do in fact compete, we could have a thrilling men’s 1500m in store. Scheduled are Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe), Nick Griggs (CNDR), Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea), Shane Bracken (Swinford), James Gormley (Carmen Runners), and Darragh McElhinney (Bantry). And don’t be surprised if you see Lughaidh Mallon (UCD) pop in there too. Who is your money on? It’s a tough call for any position. Likely to be a strategic race, it could boil down to the fastest man on the wind-up and often that does not go the way of the fastest men in the field. Oh boy, there is excitement in this one. We can’t wait.
In the women’s 1500m, Sophie O’Sullivan and Laura Nicholson (Bandon AC) are among the favourites in a field that might produce some interesting results. Since her big win at the same distance in the NCAA O’Sullivan has not produced similar form. Should she run in the 1500m (the event she has the standard for Tokyo), her form will be tested. Jodie McCann has been a prolific racer this year and thus far has failed to gain the 4:08.00 B standard required. She will be hoping for this opportunity. Nicholson on the other hand does have the standard but is not within the quota – doesn’t the ranking system throw up all sorts of surprises and opportunities? Then we have Eimear Maher (DSD) who magnificent run in the Morton Games paved the way for her European u23 bronze medal. Can she claim her first national senior title? Another exciting race to watch.
Endurance
Andrew Coscoran has indicated he will opt for the 1500m leaving the 5000m open to Brian Fay (Raheny), Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe), and the much-improved Jack O’Leary (Mullingar Harriers). Fay has shown some recent return to form.
European U23 10,000m champion Anika Thompson (Leevale) will round off her 2025 track season with the National Senior 5000m. Joining her will be her clubmate and national cross-country silver medallist Niamh Allen and fellow Cork lady Fiona Everard (Bandon). Will it be an all-Cork podium?
Hurdles
Thomas Barr has retired and his absence from the track will be felt this year as the popular Ferrybank athlete has left the claim for the gold wide open. Setting his sights on the title will be Fintan Dewhirst (Tir Connaill). There is a large entry in the ladies 400m hurdles – 15 athletes in total, with four or five possible contenders. Deirdre Murray (Na Fianna) has the fastest time with Victoria Amidamen (Dooneen) not far behind. Does the Dooneen athlete have the edge? Or can the EYOF bronze medallist Ellis McHugh (Ferrybank) stamp her mark on the title?
It’s hard to see anyone beating Sarah Lavin (Emerald) in the 100m hurdles. The men’s however is wide open. Adam Nolan (SLOT) plained to the finish last year as he fell at the last hurdle in the 110m hurdles amid atrocious conditions. Conor Penney (Craughwell) is also entered. The u18 athlete might spring a surprise.
Steeplechase
The steeplechase is on the rise, and should it continue, we can expect some good numbers in two years’ time. With the looming u20 European’s Dearbhla Allen (St Peters) and Caoimhe Flannery (Skibbereen) are giving the seniors a miss this year. The favourites are Finley Daly (Sligo AC) and Ava O’Connor (Tullamore Harriers).
Jumps
Reece Ademola (Leevale) had a late start to the season, owing to an injury. At the Cork City Sports, he jumped an incredible 7.82m, a little too late for the u23s. He is expected to the main contender for the title. There are 18 entries for the event this year, including 27m.some promising younger athletes like Ryan Onho (Leevale) and JP Archbold (Newbridge). Sarah Buggy (St Abbans) is entered in both the Long and Triple Jumps. Can she make it a double? Or will Greek national Daphne Doulaptsi-Teeuwen (Clonliffe) step up to the challenge in the Triple Jump. Doulaptsi-Teeuwen has already beaten Buggy this year.
Conor Cillinane (Leevale) and Una Brice (Leevale) have the potential to make it a club double in the Pole Vault. Although 18 year old Michael Kent (DMP) will make an indelible impact in the mens.
In the absence of David Cussane (Old Abbey) in the high jump, could u18 athlete Conor Penney (Craughwell) be heading for his first national senior title? In the ladies Aoife O’Sullivan (Lisacarroll) will once more attempt to topple Somer Lecky (Finn Valley). It was Lecky who won the last battle.
Throws
All eyes will be on Nicola Tuthill (UCD) as the double major silver medallist steps out for the hammer. With Tokyo yet to come Tuthill will be expecting herself to inch closer to a new personal best. Watch out too for Tallaght AC athlete Margaret Hayden who has a best of 63.
Niamh Fogarty (Raheny) will be in action in the Discus, hoping to get more in line with the 58.40m national record she set last May. Also taking to the circle will be Anna Gavigan (LSA) who has a best of 54.20m. Fogarty will take on Michaela Walsh (Swinford) in the shot with both Kate O'Connor and Ciara Sheehy (Emerald AC) notable absentees. Eric Favours (Raheny) is the leading contender for the men’s shot with John Kelly (Finn Valley) always ready to rise to the challenge.
The very much in-form Conor Cusack (Lake District) is favourite for the men’s title in the javelin while in the absence of Kate O’Connor (Dundalk St Gerards) the ladies title is more open. Could Ailbhe Gordon (Greystones) overcome 2023 Champion Grace Casey (Clonliffe) to take her first national title?
It certainly promises to be an action-packed weekend of athletics. See you there.
