A thrilling two days of schools athletics came to a close this afternoon as the 2025 edition of the 123.ie All-Ireland Schools Track and Field Championships signed off with a host of thrilling performances which resulted in several championship records falling in Tullamore (May 31st).
Among the records to go was Brian Gregan’s Senior Boys 400m championship record of 47.66 which had stood since 2008. In what was arguably the performance of the day, Seán Doggett of Coláiste an Éachréidh clocked a stunning 47.22 CR to make the record his own in today’s windy conditions.
Saturday morning’s track action began with the Intermediate and Senior Girls 3000m races. The intermediate girls served up one of the races of the day with both Emma Hickey (St. Marys New Ross) 9:28.14 and Freya Renton (Sacred Heart Westport) 9:33.87 smashing the previous championship record of 9:49.82. Hickey’s kick over the final 200m would ultimately see her walk away with gold in what was a hugely talented field. Megan Brunt (Loreto Dalkey) crossed for bronze in 9:53.59.
Hickey and Renton would go on to reoppose in the 1500m later in the afternoon, with Renton flipping the tables on Hickey to take the title in 4:30.59, with Hickey crossing for silver in 4:34.00.
The star of Harry McKenzie (Enniskillen Royal GS) continues to rise with the Enniskillen athlete taking the Intermediate Boys 3000m title in 8:44.40, while the Senior Girls title went to the ever-impressive Emily Bolton (Institute of Education) who added the 3000m senior track title to the senior schools cross country title she picked up earlier this year. Her winning time was 10:01.77 with Annabelle Morrison (Enniskillen Royal GS) 10:09.56 and Dearbhla Allen (St. Marys Dundalk)10:22.72 completing the podium.
Both the Senior Boys and Girls 400m hurdles races looked intriguing on paper, and they didn’t disappoint with Des O’Neill (St. Fintan’s Sutton) storming to gold in 54.29 as the conditions deteriorated. Ellis McHugh (Waterpark College) 1:00.52 got the better of Lauren Kilduff (Gort Community School) 1:01.54 in the final of the Girls 400mH with Emma O`Donovan (St. Brigids College Loughrea) picking up a richly deserved bronze in 1:02.70.
The Senior 100m sprint titles went to Cillian Doherty (Belvedere College) 10.86 and Elena O’ Sullivan (Regina Mundi Cork) 11.96, while a notable mention must go to the talented Ben Skyes (Grosvenor GS Belfast) who took the Intermediate Boys 100m title in 10.72 E_CR.
European U18 medallist Joe Burke (Our Lady’s Templemore) showed his class in the Senior 200m, securing gold in 21.52 with a strong final 50 metres. Katie Doherty (Ratoath College) secured her second sprint medal of the day, this time taking gold in the 200m in 24.39 having taken silver in the 100m earlier in the day.
The 800m finals served up a treat in the early afternoon with championship records going the way of Madison Welby (Junior) 2:09.89, Ryan Vickers (Junior) 1:57.65, and Faye Mannion (Inter) 2:08.37. Pia Langton (2:07.16) and Caolan McFadden (1:51.98) both looked ultra-composed on their way to their senior 800m titles.
The short hurdles finals produced several impressive performances with Orlaith Mannion 13.94 (100mH) and Cameron McCracken 14.35 (110mH) taking their respective senior titles.
The senior 400s got underway after 2pm with Sean Doggett sprinkling his class over proceedings with THAT 47.22CR in the senior race. Christopher Lynch (Belvedere College) 49.29 and Conor McDonagh (St. Attractas CS Tubbercurry) 50.55 followed him home. The Senior Girls race looked to have a more open feel to it, but it was Maria Zakharenko (Avondale CC) who stamped her authority on the race to take the title in 55.58.
Gemma Galvin (St. Michaels Kilmihil), Emily Bolton (Institute of Education), and Eimear Cooney (Sacred Heart Drogheda) served up a treat in the Senior Girls 1500m. Galvin came out on top in a winning time of 4:34.65, with Bolton (4:35.01) and Cooney (4:36.79) completing the podium. Jennifer O’Leary of St Marys Nenagh was right in the contention at the finish, settling for fourth in 4:37.84.
The Senior Boys 1500m was just as compelling with Lorcan Benjacar (Ard Scoil Rís) taking the crown with a time of 3:58.12. Ryan O`Neill (Terenure College) 3:59.63 and Shea O’Donnell (St. Marys Drogheda) 4:02.23 also made their way onto the podium.
Field finals
The Senior Girls High Jump was dominated by Tara O’Connor (St. Vincents Dundalk) who took gold with a best clearance of 1.75m. Tiggy Hanifin (Ballincollig CS) 1.6m and Isabel Schukat (Presentation College Athenry) 1.55m completed the podium.
Michael Kent (Good Counsel College New Ross) didn’t disappoint in the Senior Pole Vault competition, putting on a show for those in attendance as he vaulted his way to gold in a new championship record of 4.55m. Chloe Lynch (Presentatiion SS Kilkenny ) was the only athlete to go over 3 meter in the Senior Girls Pole Vault, securing gold with a best clearance of 3.05m.
European U18 gold medallist Thomas Williams (Colaiste Dun an Ri Kingscourt) dominated the Senior Boys Hammer competition with a best of 62.30m adding gold to his ever-growing medal collection. Caoimhe Gallen (St. Columbas Stranorlar) secured another gold of her own in the Senior Girls Hammer, posting a best of 51.11m.
The Intermediate Girls Shot saw Emer Purtill (Mungret CC Limerick) produce a best throw of 14.27m for gold, while the Senior Boys competition was a thriller with the minimum separating Theo Hanlon (Kildare Town C.S.) 17.50m and Andrew Cooper (Kilkenny College) 17.49m after the final throws. Caoimhe Gallen (St. Columbas Stranorlar) took the Senior Girls title with a best throw of 11.71m
In the Senior Boys Javelin, Andrew Scanlon (St. Declan’s Kilmacthomas) took gold with 59.07m, while Eyna Silkena (St. Louis Dundalk) was crowned senior champion with a best of 41.54m.
Tiffany Nwaedozie (Christ King Cork) took the intermediate gold in the long jump with a best of 5.73m, while Riona Doherty (St. Columbas Stranorlar) took the senior gold with 5.65m.
Patience Chinda (St. Pauls SS Monasterevin) walks away as Senior Girls Triple champion (11.41m), while Darragh Fahy (St. Brigids College Loughrea) was best of the triple jumpers on the boy’s side, posting a best leap of 14.00m on his penultimate attempt to add to his growing reputation.
Chloe Ryan (Presentation College Carlow) secured discus gold (38.69), with Daragh Corcoran (Tullow C.S.) is the new senior boys champion (46.40m).
Athletics Ireland would like to congratulate all those who made it to the All Ireland Finals and wish those sitting exams all the best of luck over the coming weeks.
