Championship Records Galore at the Irish Life National Junior & U23 Championships

TUS International Arena played host to the Irish Life Health National Junior and U23 Indoor Championships on Sunday. The 2022 indoor season has been a rollercoaster in Irish Athletics, as athletes break records across the board both at home and abroad. The emerging talents competing kept up the record-breaking action in the midlands venue. 

Ahead of the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade later this week, Israel Olatunde (UCD AC) took the Irish Life Health National Indoor U23 Championship title with an impressive time of 6.63, setting a new Championship Record and closing in on his own 6.62 National 60m Record.  

Olympian Robert McDonnell (Galway City Harriers AC) also put in a powerful performance ahead of the World Indoor Championships, taking silver in the 60m after Olatunde.  

Rachel McCann (North Down AC) took the U23 National Womens 400m Title in 55.56, just shy of the Championship record of 55.33. 

Lucy Sleeman (Leevale AC) put on a star performance in the 60m setting a new PB at 7.41m and taking the National Junior Championship title. The 17-year-old was a strong feature at the National Senior Championships last month and has had an incredible indoor season. Following her over the line was DSD AC’s Jennifer Hanrahan and Ella Scott (Leevale AC).  

Jed Walshe (Ratoath AC) took the Irish Life Health National Junior 400m Championship title ahead of David Mannion (South Galway AC) who was followed by Ronan Long (Tallaght AC).  

Callum Hurley (Ferrybank AC) secured the Junior 800m Championship title and set the new record at 1:51.86 after an incredible line finish. Colin P Smith (Mullingar Harriers AC) and Aron Shorten (St L O'Toole AC) followed the Ferrybank man over the line repectively. 

Andrew Glennon (Mullingar Harriers AC) was first across the line in the Junior 3KM Walk followed by Moy Valley AC Jake O'Brien with and Matthew Glennon (Mullingar Harriers AC) took bronze in the category. Back on the track Ryan Roberts (Sligo AC) took the Men’s U23 3KM Walk National Championship title.  

In the field event there was a flurry of Championships records such as in the Pole Vault. Clodagh Walsh (Abbey Striders AC) and Una Brice (Leevale AC) set new Championships Records for the U23 at 3.35m and Junior at 3.60m, respectively. Walsh beat her own Championship record set in 2020. 

In the Men's Pole Vault Conor Callinan (Leevale AC) and Matthew Callinan Keenan (St L O’Toole AC) set their respective category’s National Championship Titles at 4.65m.  

Deana Kelly (St Abbans AC) done one better than the 2014 U23 High Jump Championship Record coming over the bar at 1.76m.  

Ciaran Connolly (Le Cheile AC) also took on the High Jump Championship Record clearing 2.10m to beat the 2013 previous record of 2m.  

Claire Kennedy (Birr AC) set a Junior Womens Weight for Distance Championship Record at 6.08m. 

The U23 Weight for Distance Championship record was broken in both the men and women's categories as Robert Higgins (Na Fianna AC) set 9.18m and Zoe Mahon (Cushinstown AC) beat her own 2020 record with 6.63m. 

Leevale AC seen more records being set by their club as Lucy Sleeman, Ella Scott, Okwu Backri and Fatima Amusa set a new Junior National Club Record and Championship Record at 1:40.79. The Cork Club previously set the record earlier this year. 

Championship Records:  

Israel Olatunde UCD AC U23 60m Championship Record 6.63

Callum Hurley Ferrybank AC Junior 800m Championship Record 1:51.86 

Ciaran Connolly Le Cheile AC U23 High Jump Championship Record 2.10m  

Conor Callinan Leevale AC Junior Pole Vault Championship Record 4.65m  

Matthew Callinan Keenan St L O’Toole AC U23 Pole Vault Championship Record of 4.65m  

Una Brice Leevale AC Junior Pole Vault Championship Record 3.60m  

Clodagh Walsh Abbey Striders AC U23 Pole Vault Championship Record 3.35m  

Deana Kealy St Abban’s AC 1.76m U23 High Jump Championship Record  

Claire Kennedy Birr AC 6.08m Junior Weight for Distance Championship Record  

Robert Higgins Na Fianna AC 9.18m U23 Weight for Distance Championship Record  

Zoe Mahon Cushinstown AC 6.63m U23 Weight for Distance Championship Record  

Leevale AC Lucy May Sleeman, Ella Scott, Okwu Backri and Fatima Amusa Junior National Club Record and Championship Record 1:40.79 

Link to All Results: HERE