400m Hurdles defending champion Thomas Barr and steeplechaser Kerry O’ Flaherty were on hand to launch the Irish Life Health National Senior Track & Field Championships which will take place this weekend (July 22nd/23rd) in Morton Stadium.
Barr will be chasing his 7th consecutive National Senior title at this year’s championships where he will be looking to put in a good performance ahead of the World Championships in London next month. Barr said “This weekend’s competition is important for my lead up to the World Championships in London next month. My main priority for this weekend is to retain the national title. I am looking forward to racing against my training partner Paul Byrne, he is currently in great shape and I believe he can go sub 50.”
Kerry O’ Flaherty is looking forward to competing at another National Championships this weekend. “I am excited to race at my home championship this weekend after competing in races across Europe for the past number of weeks. Hopefully there is another seasons best for me as I know there is more to come this summer.”
A number of Ireland’s best athletes will be on show including Mark English (UCD), Ciara Mageean (UCD), Thomas Barr (Ferrybank AC) and Kerry O Flaherty (Newcastle & Distract AC). The Championships will be shown live on RTÉ 2 from 6pm – 8pm on Sunday 23rd July.
Liz Rowen Head of Marketing at Irish Life Health is looking forward to what promises to be an engaging championships. She said: “We’re really looking forward to this weekend’s championships. We’d encourage people to come along over the weekend, as it’s a great occasion to see Ireland’s top athletic talent in action on home soil.”
Athletics Ireland President Georgina Drumm was excited by the prospect of Ireland’s best athletes on show: “The National Senior Track & Field Championships is the cornerstone of our athletics calendar. It is a great opportunity for fans to come and see our best athletes competing on home soil before they head World Championships and World University Games later this summer. I look forward to seeing some great performances and good crowds in Morton Stadium this weekend”.
Athletics Ireland CEO John Foley concluded: “Once again we would like to thank Irish Life Health for their continued support of our National Championships. I look forward to what promises to be another great weekend of athletics.”
Important Athlete Information:
- Athletes must check in for FINALS 60m before the event
- Heats for the 1500m (Men & Women) are scheduled for Saturday
- The deadline for submitting personal implements is 75 minutes before the start of the event. Equipment room is located behind the stand on the back straight.