MULTI EVENT TALENT TAKES TO TULLAMORE

It was another busy weekend of Irish athletics action as the Irish Life Health National Combined Events Championships and AAI Games took place in Tullamore stadium across Saturday (23rd July) and Sunday (24th July).

Day 2: AAI Games:

Representing Ireland in the AAI Games men’s 4x100m, Israel Olatunde, Mark Smyth, Colin Doyle and Joseph Ojeyumi crossed the line ahead of Australia with a time of 39.27, placing them within the European Championship qualifying standard. The current Irish national record stands at 39.26, set in September 2000 by Team Ireland competing in Sydney, Australia.

Israel Olatunde (UCD AC) produced another superb performance in the 100ms while competing at the AAI Games. The National U23 Record holder crossed the line first in the Series 1 race with a time of 10.25 in a windy Tullamore stadium.

Roisin Harrison (Emerald AC) doubled her first-place finishes at the AAI Games, as she claimed top spot in the women’s 400m sprint with 52.63 on the clock. Following Harrison closely over the line was Kilkenny City Harriers Cliodhna Manning and Milja Thureson (Finland).

Returning from international duty at the World Athletics Championships, Jack Rafferty (Donore Harriers) had a stellar 400m race, overtaking Australia’s Callum Rorison and John Fitzsimmons (Kildare AC) to cross the line in 46.51.

Eoin Sheridan (Clonliffe Harriers) was just shy of his seasons best of 53.80, which secured him his first national senior championships title last month, to win the AAI Games men’s discus competition. In his third throw of the day, reaching 51.83m. Sheridan was the only one to break the 50m barrier of the day.

The National 5,000m Championship race took place on Day 2 of the AAI Games, the first time the national race has formed part of the AAI Games. The race hosted some of Ireland's rising distance running talents.

Claragh Keane (DMP AC) produced a strong 17:36.45 to set a new personal best and claim the championship title. Crossing the line in second was Nenagh Olympic Niamh Cunneen followed by Imelda Lambe from Tullamore Harriers in third.

19-year-old Cathal O’Reilly (Kilkenny City Harriers) secured the men’s title crossing the line in 14:55.14.

Day 2: National Combined Events Championships

Donore Harriers Lara O’Byrne won the Irish Life Health National Combined Events Senior Women’s Heptathlon Championship title with 5003 points. O’Byrne secured her top points in the 100mH (932), crossing the line in 14.33.

David Dagg (Dundrum South Dublin AC) secured the Irish Life Health National Combined Events Senior Men’s Decathlon Championship title with 5268 points. Crossing the 100m finish line in 11.39 adding 776 points to the DSD athletes score, taking the lead by the end of Day 1 of the Championships.

Taking the Irish Life Health National Combined Events Junior Women’s Heptathlon Championship title is Saidhbhe Byrne (Enniscorthy AC), after her incredible 3989-point performance. A windy 200m sprint of 27.81, secured 646 points contributing to her win.

Jack Forde (Ennis Track Club) is the Irish Life Health National Combined Events Junior Men’s Decathlon Champion after gathering 5732 points throughout his competition. Forde broke the 700-point barrier with his 13.79m Shot Put performance to secure 715 points.

 

Day 1: AAI Games

The men’s 200m sprint on Day 1 of the AAI Games was a hot contest as Olympian Marcus Lawler battled it out with Mark Smyth (Raheny Shamrock AC) and Eanna Madden (Carrick on Shannon AC) in the Tullamore stadium. Lawler crossed the line in 20.90 followed closely by Smyth in 20.96. Switzerland’s Simon Graf crossed the line in third with a time of 21.02 ahead of Madden.  

Roisin Harrison (Emerald AC) produced a stellar 23.40 performance to win the AAI Games women’s 200m sprint. Closing in on Harrison’s heel’s, Molly Houlihan (DSD AC) crossed the line in 24.48 followed by Alanna Ryan (Sli Cualainn AC) coming in third.

It was a battle of the elements for Olympian Michelle Finn (Leevale AC)  as finished the 2000mSC in 6:22.90 on Day 1 of the AAI Games.

Kate Veale (West Waterford AC) clocked 13:39.09 in the women’s race walk, to claim top spot ahead of Australian Allanah Pitcher and Susanne O’Beirne (North Leitrim AC).

In the Men’s National 10,000m Championships, Matthew Neill (Strive Racing AC) produced a strong 30:43.35 performance as he claimed the championship title. It all came down to the line, in the battle between Neill, Paul O’Donnell (DSD AC) and Michael Harty (East Cork AC), crossing the line within seconds of each other.

The Donore Harriers sisters emerged victorious in the women’s National 10,000m Championships, claiming both the gold and silver medals. First to cross the line was Ide NicDhomhnaill, who crossed the line with 34:10.05 on the clock, followed by Sorcha NicDhomhnaill in 34:10.28. National 10K Champion Sinead O’Connor (Leevale AC) was hot on the Donore duo’s heels crossing the line in third with a time of 35:09.93

Day 1: National Combined Events Championships

Day 1 of the Irish Life Health National Combined Events Championships, seen impressive performances across the track and field events by juvenile, senior and master athletes.

First to complete their championship action were our incredible Master's athletes who's results were: 

Master Men’s O35-49 Pentathlon Martin Mooney (Inishowen AC) 1827 points.

Master Men’s O50-59 Pentathlon Tom O’Brien (Waterford AC) 3013 points.

Master Men’s O60-69 Quadrathlon Peadar McGing (DSD AC2515 points.

Master Women’s O35- 39 Pentathlon Caroline O’Connor (St Senan’s AC) 1243 points.

Master Women’s O40-49 Pentathlon Marie Widger (St Senan’s AC) 2045 points.

Master Women’s O50-59 Pentathlon Anna DeCourcy (Waterford AC) 2045 points.

Master Women’s O60 Pentathlon Patsy Foskin (St Senan’s AC) 881 points.

 

Link to All Results: HERE

Link to Live Stream: HERE