After a well-deserved rest day on Friday, Team Ireland is set to return to the track on Saturday for the fourth day of World Masters Athletics Championships action in Gothenburg, Sweden. With a mix of individual medal hopes and strong relay teams, Saturday promises to be an exciting day for the Irish contingent.
John MacDermott, competing in the M80 category, is one of Ireland's standout athletes at the Championships. On Saturday, he will take to the track for the 200m Hurdles final, where he is a strong contender for the gold medal. MacDermott’s form and experience make him one of the favourites, and Irish fans are hopeful that he will deliver a winning performance.
MacDermott’s ambitions don’t stop with the 200m Hurdles. He is also set to compete in the 80m Hurdles and 400m events later in the Championships. With two more gold medals within his reach, MacDermott could potentially make history. If his performances align with his training and form, European or even World Records may be on the cards for this incredible athlete.
Team Ireland also has strong representation in the relay events, with two teams entered in the 4x100m relay finals on Saturday.
- W50 Team: The women’s 50+ team comprises Tina Gallagher, Linda Nally, Niamh McGuire, and Leanne Wellings, with Geraldine Finegan as a reserve.
- M65 Team: On the men's side, the 65+ team features Shane Sheridan, Joe Frey, Mick Priest, and Shane Toolan.
Both relay teams performances on Saturday will be closely watched by all. A strong showing could not only bring medals but also set the stage for future success at these World Championships.
Sinead McConnell (W55) and Brenda Gannon (W45) will be taking on the 10k Road Walk on Saturday also, with hopes of clinching success.
As well as this, Rachel Akers (W35) enters the Hammer throw as a very strong contender for gold. Her performances at the European Championships in March were unforgettable and she will be hoping to make even more memories tomorrow.
Meanwhile, in the 800m Finals, Lea Fulcher (M50) and Joe Gough (M70) will be looking to leverage their speed and experience to secure medals in their respective age groups.
Geraldine Finegan (W55) rounds out the Irish athletes in action with her bid in the 300m Hurdles Final.
Saturday promises to be a pivotal day for Team Ireland at the World Masters Athletics Championships. With John MacDermott targeting gold and potential records, two relay teams ready to give their all, and plenty more medal hopes, the Irish athletes are set to shine on the global stage once again.
Featured Image: by Ronan Gately