By Perri Williams
What a thrilling day of Athletics we were all treated to yesterday at the National Track and Field Championships. From the record-breaking performance of Nicola Tuthill in the hammer, Reece Adamola’s 8m long jump, the triumphant wins by Mark English, Cathal Doyle and Andrew Coscoran, to the first ever victory by Alex O’Neill in the 800m. Even if you had anticipated those victories, it did not diminish their respective triumphs, as each race was the result of a copious amount of assiduous efforts on behalf of the athletes. And we loved every minute of watching them in action.
The day’s proceedings kicked off with a clean sweep by Cork athletes in the ladies 5000m. Led out by European u23 10,000m champion Anika Thompson (Leevale), she was closely persued by clubmate Niamh Allen and Bandon AC’s Fiona Everard. As the race progressed it was these three athletes that pushed ahead putting space between themselves and the remaining field, led for much of the time by the ever-improving Nadine Donegan (Tullamore). Towards the latter stages of the race it was Allen who took the lead. Try as Thompson might, she was not able to surpass the national cross-country silver medalist (and she did try). It was an honest race with an honest victory.
Both 1500m races included stacked fields but none more so that the men’s 1500m. In a poll conducted by Run Republic prior to the Morton mile, the odds were stacked in favour of Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea), it proved to be the same this time around. The smart running by Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe) and his strong final 200m dispelled any doubts as to his ability to perform at championship races. Doyles win yesterday amounted to his fourth consecutive national 1500m title. Behind him there was a terrific battle for the medals with Andrew Coscoran coming through to take silver and Nick Griggs (CNDR) the bronze. Just over one second separated the top six athletes. Laura Nicholson (Bandon AC) took her first senior title in the ladies event, rounding off what has been for her, her best ever year in athletics.
Andrew Coscoran probably did not do himself any favours by running the 5000m 90 minutes before the 1500m. It was however a calculated move as he considering doing both the 1500m and 5000m at the World Championships next month. A slow start gradually gave way to an increase in pace as Jack O’Leary (Mullingar) took the helm. With O’Leary pushing hard, a breakaway group had formed by the 3000m mark consisting of O’Leary, Coscoran, Brian Fay (Raheny), Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe) and Cormac Dalton (Mullingar). A penultimate lap of 60 seconds had reduced the leading group to a quartet let by Brian Fay. The Raheny man worked hard to shake off Coscoran, O’Leary and Dalton as he led coming into the final bend. However it was Coscoran who came through at the 70m mark to take the title from Fay in second and O’Leary passing Dalton in the home straight for bronze.
Mark English (Finn Valley) dispelled any doubts about his ability and experience to dominate the Irish 800m scene as he crossed the line to take his 10th national 800m title. The Donegal man was pitted against the more youthful Cian McPhillips (UCD) who made a breakthrough performance over the distance in the US earlier this year. In his customary fashion English made his way to the front of the pack over the final 100m, demonstrating an aura of confidence in his recent good form. Having changed coaches last November and made changes to his training English broke his own national 800m record to dip under 1.44 minutes for the first time. The 32-year-old, three-time Olympian has committed to giving this year a good shot before he makes the decision about resuming his medical career. He heads to the World Championships in the best shape of his life.
The ladies 800m was billed as another race to watch out for. European Indoor 3000m gold medalist Sarah Healy (UCD) was the leading contender in a stacked field that included the much-improved Alex O’Neill (Limerick Track Club) and Meave O’Neill (Dohenys). Along with the fastest Irish lady this year Jenna Bromell. Add in Hannah Seagrave (Clonliffe) who has declared for Ireland, it made for an exciting competition. It was Alex O’Neill who crossed the line first, to take her first national senior title ahead of the distinguished Healy. Meave O’Neill took her first national senior medal, just edging out Jenna Brommell (Emerald) on the line. Eight tenths of a second separated the top six athletes in what has to be the closest 800m ladies final in quiet some time.
In the 100m it was Ciara Neville (Emerald AC) who took the ladies title, just edging out Lauren Roy (Fast Twitch AC). It was Nevilles first outdoor sprint title since 2019 after a series of injuries disrupted her progression. Significantly her 11.44 victory was her fastest time in four years.
Bori Akinola (UCD) claimed his first 100m national title. The double indoor and outdoor title holder was followed home by Sean Aigboboh (Tallaght AC) in second with an excellent run by Lorcan Murphy (DSD) in third. The withdrawal of Isreal Olatunde (Tallaght) from the final, desisting the envisioned show down between the two sprinting greats.
Sophie Becker (Raheny) overcame recent injury problems to successfully defend her 400m title. She was pushed all the way by Rachel McCann (North Down) and Cliodhna Manning (KCH) the latter two regaining form. Jack Raffery (Donore) also defended his 400m title with a convincing victory.
Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) had no problem taking her 10th national hurdles title, clocking 12.92 seconds in the process. Her dominance in the sprint hurdles over the past decade has been nothing short of phenomenal. Behind her Molly Scott (SLOT) took silver with Sarah Quinn (St Colman’s Mayo) in third. Adam Nolan (SLOT) took the men’s title avenging his defeat by Gerard O’Donnell (Carrick-on-Shannon) in 2024, where he hit the final hurdle. It was a first national senior hurdles medal for 16 year old Conor Penney (Craughwell) in third place.
It was heartbreak for Niamh Malone (Monaghan Phoenix) in the 400m hurdles as her 5m lead and potential victory was annihilated as she clipped the final hurdle and stumbled. Victory went to Cara Murphy (DSD), her first national titled. She was followed home by EYOF bronze medalist Ellis McHugh (Ferrybank AC) and Lauren Kilduff (Craighwell) both of whom claimed their first national senior medals. The void left by the great Thomas Barr in the mens event was filled by Niall Carney (Clonliffe) who took his first senior 400m hurdles title. It was an exciting finish that saw Carney hold off 17-year-old Brian Cullinan (Sligo).
Reece Ademola (Leevale) made a long jump break-through as he leaped to a magnificent 8m. Ending his season on a high note despite a series of incessant injuries that plagued his season. The possibility of taking the 8.07m national record is becoming an ever-increasing probability for the Cork man. Silver went to his Leevale clubmate Sam Healy with Luke O’Carroll (Tralee) making it an all Munster podium.
There was never any doubt about Nicola Tuthill not defending her national Hammer title. The recent double major silver medalist (World University Games and European u23) continued her phenomenal trajectory of success with a new u23 record of 71.75m. A noteworthy performance ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo.
Niamh Fogarty (Raheny) not only defended her national discus title but also produced a double victory having won the shot putt on Saturday. She was joined on the podium by Anna Gavigan (LSA) and Marie Hanahan (Leevale).
This now concludes the domestic track and field season with the u20 Europeans, World Championships and some Diamond League meets to look forward to for the remainder of the season.
