Who Needs a Big Weekend at Nationals to Book Their Place at the European Championships?

For many of Ireland's leading athletes, simply winning a national title this weekend will not be the only objective.

The Irish Senior Track and Field Championships at Morton Stadium also represent the final major opportunity for athletes to strengthen their case for selection for next month's European Athletics Championships in Birmingham before the qualification window closes.

Athletes can qualify either by achieving the automatic entry standard or through the World Athletics ranking system, which rewards athletes for the quality of their performances and the level of competition throughout the qualification period. With just one weekend remaining, a big performance at Morton Stadium could be enough to move some Irish athletes into qualification, while others will be fighting to hold onto places they have already earned.

Here are some of the biggest Birmingham qualification battles to keep an eye on this weekend.

Rhasidat Adeleke (200m)

Perhaps no Irish athlete has more riding on the weekend than Rhasidat Adeleke.

The Tallaght sprinter has already achieved the European Championships B standard for the women's 200m, but currently remains outside the ranking quota required for qualification.

With the rankings route now all but out of reach, Saturday's 200m represents Adeleke's final opportunity to achieve the automatic qualifying standard and book her place at next month's European Championships.

Emma Moore (800m)

Emma Moore enters the championships knowing she reasonably close.

She currently sits 35th in the rankings, with 32 athletes qualifying.

The B standard is already secured.

Now it is simply a case of finding one more high quality performance capable of nudging her inside the quota before the window closes.

Jack Raftery (400m)

Jack Raftery's position is equally intriguing.

The Irish international has already achieved the B standard and sits just two places outside qualification in 37th.

Another national title accompanied by a fast clocking would significantly strengthen his Birmingham hopes.

Women's 100m Battle

Few events carry as much significance as the women's 100m.

Ciara Neville currently occupies the final automatic ranking position in 38th out of 36 quota places, leaving absolutely no margin for error.

Lauren Roy (already having the the Auto Q standard for 200m) is placed just ahead of Ciara in 37th, also outside the quota and looking to strengthen her position.

Men's 100m Battle

The men's sprint carries its own European significance.

Bori Akinola currently sits comfortably inside the qualification quota in 20th and is well placed heading into the championships. Another strong performance would help cement that position ahead of selection.

Sean Aigboboh faces a much steeper task. Although he has already achieved the B standard, he currently sits four places outside qualification in 42nd. 

A breakthrough performance on home soil could dramatically improve his ranking at exactly the right time. Regardless what happens, he has the Auto Q standard for the 200m. 

Women's 1500m

This could be one of the most fascinating events of the championships.

Jodie McCann heads into the weekend sitting just two places outside the European qualification quota. With the B standard already secured, another high quality performance could be enough to propel her into the top 30 before the qualification window closes.

Just behind her is Eimear Maher, who faces an even steeper challenge. She also has the B standard but currently sits five places outside the quota, meaning she'll likely need something special at Morton Stadium to keep her Birmingham hopes alive.

Cathal Doyle (1500m)

Cathal Doyle is currently in a promising position but cannot yet relax.

The Clonliffe Harriers athlete sits 27th in the rankings, with the top 30 qualifying.

While that leaves him inside the quota, another strong run at Morton Stadium would remove much of the uncertainty surrounding his place in Birmingham.

With several high quality Irish middle distance runners expected on the start line, the men's 1500m could prove one of the races of the weekend.

Sophie Becker (400m)

Sophie Becker presents perhaps the most interesting qualification scenario of all.

Unlike many of the athletes listed above, Becker currently sits inside the qualification quota in 32nd despite not yet having achieved the B standard.

Producing that standard this weekend would put her in a very strong position for a place in Birmingham.

As a result, her 400m could become one of the most important races of the championships.

Others to Watch

While much of the focus will fall on the bigger names, Abbie Sheridan and Marcus Lawler also head into the weekend with Birmingham qualification firmly in their sights. Sheridan currently occupies the final qualifying position in the women's 3000m steeplechase rankings and will be looking to protect her place with another strong performance. Lawler, meanwhile, sits five places outside the qualification quota in the men's 200m, leaving the experienced sprinter with a genuine opportunity to force his way into contention before the qualification window closes.

Plenty More Than National Titles at Stake

While dozens of Irish athletes will leave Morton Stadium as national champions this weekend, several will also be hoping they have done enough to hear their names called when Athletics Ireland announces its team for Birmingham.

For some, another national title would simply be the latest addition to an already impressive collection.

For others, one outstanding performance could be the difference between watching next month's European Championships from home or pulling on the Irish vest once again on one of the biggest stages of the season.