THE BIG GUNS of Irish athletics are impressing at this weekend’s National Championships at Santry’s Morton Stadium, as next month’s Tokyo Olympics moves into focus.
Phil Healy sealed national title number 13 in the 400m, though it was the Bandon star’s first outdoor crown over the distance.
Her excellent run of 52.33 saw her take the gold medal, and more importantly, collect more valuable points and edge closer to official qualification for the Games.
Cliodhna Manning finished second in 53.18, Catherine McManus was third after clocking 54.36 and Sharlene Mawdsley – who had been running well – was forced to pull up with injury.
Phil Healy’s (Brandon) first National Women’s Outdoor 400m Title and collecting points for Tokyo on her way (52.33) 👏 🥇
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) June 26, 2021
🥈Cliodhna Manning (KCH) 53.18
🥉Catherine McManus (DCH) 54.36
Unfortunately Sharlene Mawdsley who had been running well had to pull up pic.twitter.com/1cmxIo2w6P
18-year-old sprint sensation Rhasidat Adeleke came out on top of a thrilling 100m final.
The Tallaght ace crossed the line in a blistering 11.29 to set a new championship record and sit just 0.01 seconds off the all-time Irish record.
Adeleke just edged out Molly Scott (11.46) in second place, and Aoife Lynch (11.69) in third.
A brilliant Women’s 100m final at the Irish Life Health Senior National Championships 👏
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) June 26, 2021
🥇Rhasidat Adeleke (Tallaght) 11.29
🥈Molly Scott (SLOT) 11.46
🥉Aoife Lynch (Donore Harriers) 11.69 pic.twitter.com/AG1R7zS5uB
Louise Shanahan and Sarah Healy were the big winners in women’s middle distance, the former winning the 800m on the line and the latter cruising to the 1500m title.
Leevale’s Shanahan excelled in a field, clocking 2:03.62, with Siofra Cleirigh Buttner second (2:03.84) and last year’s Micro Meet winner, Georgie Hartigan, third (2:03.94).
Healy looked confident and comfortable throughout her 1500m win, coming home in style in 4:15.08. Nadia Power, who had been focusing on 8s recently, crossed second in 4:18.34, with Roisin Flanagan third in 4:18.99.
Meanwhile, Thomas Barr bagged another 400m hurdles crown, clocking 50.66, as clubmates Jack Mitchell and Alan Miley were second and third.
Another Men’s 400mH National Title in the bag for Thomas Barr (50.66) in windy conditions in Morton Stadium 👏
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) June 26, 2021
And a brilliant race for Jack Mitchell (SLOT) coming home in 52.03 and his club mate Alan Miley taking 3rd in 53.24 pic.twitter.com/j0C7OcifJY
A new 100m National Champion was crowned when UCD’s Israel Olatunde took gold with a 10.49 PB ahead of Stephen Gaffney and Conor Morey. The victory will come as a massive boost to the former Dundalk man, as he heads to European U20s next month.
Chris O’Donnell’s bid to make it four in-a-row senior men’s titles fell just short in the 400m, as the North Sligo man was pipped on the line by Cillian Greene.
What a finish! 🔥
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) June 26, 2021
Cillin Greene (GCH) just gets the Men’s 400m 2021 National Title pipping Christopher O’Donnell (North Sligo) on the line and Robert McDonnell (GCH) getting 3rd place
Live results ➡️ https://t.co/raTXnSBffR pic.twitter.com/iNnTTHJx68
Meanwhile, John Fitzsimons won his first 800m national title in 1:49.38, Andrew Coscoran did likewise in the 1500m with 3:48.89and Hiko Haso Tonosa triumphed in the 5000m in 13:52.53.
More to follow.
