The AAI Games return this weekend with a packed two-day schedule set for SETU Carlow where some of Ireland’s top senior and masters athletes will battle it out (July 19th & 20th).
Saturday morning kicks off with the hammer throw from 10am before te sprinters take to the blocks for the short hurdles. Saturday afternoon is headlined by the 200m sprints, discus, and the women’s 10,000m at 4pm. The men’s 10,000m closes the day at 18:20.
Athletes to Watch – Saturday
- Sean Mockler (Moycarkey Coolcroo A.C.) and Simon Galligan (Clonliffe Harriers) are set for a heavyweight clash in the men’s hammer throw 10am.
- Noon sees the track action get up and running where Sarah Quinn (St. Colmans South Mayo A.C.) and Orlaith Mannion (South Galway A.C.) look the standout entries in the women’s 100m hurdles.
- Claire Fagan (Mullingar Harriers) will look to target a time in the women’s national 10,000m on Saturday evening.
- The 200m is set get underway from on 4.25pm on Saturday, with series one of the 100m on Sunday morning. Notable entries among the short sprints include Mollie O’Reilly (DSD), Aishling Kelly (UCD AC), Lucy McGlynn (Tír Chonaill), and Paris 2024 star Orla Comerford (Raheny Shamrock).
The men’s entry list includes Colin Doyle (Leevale A.C.), Stephen Gaffney (Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C.), Dubem Amah (Tallaght A.C.), Luke Timlin (Crusaders A.C.), Michael Farrelly (Raheny Shamrock A.C.), and Jack Hickey (Nenagh Olmypic AC) who looks set to swap the mic for his spikes on Saturday.
Sunday
Action gets underway on Sunday at 11am with the 100m sprinters taking to the blocks for the first round.
- Tara O’Connor (Dundalk St. Gerards A.C.) will be one for follow in the women’s high jump from 10.30am.
- The 1500s look wide open, with the women’s race set to lead proceedings from 11.50am.
- 12.00pm will see a competitive looking men’s pole vault get underway with Matthew Callinan Keenan (St. Laurence. O’Toole A.C.), Conor Callinan (Leevale A.C.), Joshua Fitzgerald (Leevale A.C.), and Michael Kent (D.M.P. A.C.) all entered. Una Brice (Leevale A.C.) should go well in the women’s pole vault.
- Deirdre Murray (Na Fianna A.C.) is set to take her place over the long hurdles from 12.40pm.
- Reece Ademola (Leevale A.C.) could continue his comeback in the long jump from 1pm following his impressive showing in Cork last week that saw him clear 7.82m.
- Conor Cusack (Lake District A.C.) will be looking to channel some of the energy that saw him produce a huge javelin personal best in Luzern (75.18 PB) earlier this week, a performance that moved him up to third on the Irish all time list.
- The men’s shot is set for a 1.30pm start where Andrew Cooper (Gowran AC) and Theo Hanlon (Suncroft AC) lead the entries.
- Annabel Morrison (Enniskillen R.C.) and Amy Greene (Finn Valley A.C.) should enjoy a competitive race in the 3000m shortly after.
- Saragh Buggy (St. Abbans A.C.) and Darragh Fahy (Loughrea A.C.) will spearhead interest in the women’s and men’s triple.
- 30pm will see the 400m sprinters take to the track. Cliodhna Manning (Kilkenny City Harriers) headlines a stacked women’s 400m field that also includes some of Ireland’s most exciting up and coming athletes.
AAI Games Prize Money
- €100 for winner of the individual event.
- To qualify for prize there must be 5 entered minimum with 3 competing on the day, for non-championship events.
- As there a few sprint events that have a second series, Series one will be used to allot prize money.
- In events where there are a number of races the best time from all first-round races will be awarded the prize.
Combined Events titles on the line
The National Combined Events (CE) Championships will run alongside the AAI Games this Saturday and Sunday, 19–20 July. With athletes competing across multiple disciplines in the heptathlon and decathlon, the CE events promise to showcase some of the rising stars in an event which has gained extra prominence in recent times thanks to the exploits of Kate O’Connor.
Women’s Heptathlon
- Senior Women: A strong trio leads the senior field, including Lara O Byrne (Donore Harriers), Louise King (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.), and Laura Frawley (Nenagh Olympic A.C.). Expect a tight contest across the seven events.
- Junior (U20): Saoirse Hunter (Swinford A.C.), Aoife Callan (Bandon A.C.), and Caoimhe Fitzsimons (Ratoath A.C.) will battle for the junior title.
- Youth (U18): A deep field includes Marianne O’Farrell (Clongriffin A.C.), Mila Clancy (Corran A.C.), and Zion Osasenaga Osawe (Donore Harriers), among others.
Men’s Decathlon
- Senior Men: Jack Forde (St. Killians A.C.) headlines the decathlon, joined by Ronan Bloomer (Mid Ulster A.C.), Noah Gilmore (Kilkenny City Harriers), and Lorcan Murphy (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.).
- Junior (U20): Lee Prendsgast (St. Laurence O’Toole A.C.) is the sole junior entry, aiming to make his mark.
- Youth (U18): A competitive group includes Oscar Naughton (Leevale A.C.), Robbie Tallon (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.), and Victor Malakhov (Tralee Harriers A.C.).
