Cullen's triumphant return
Mary Cullen made a triumphant return on day one of the GloHealth National Track and Field Championships in Santry with a comprehensive victory in the women’s 5,000m in 16:07.40.
“I’m delighted to be back and win a national title,” said Cullen (North Sligo) who lasted raced at the outdoor championships in 2007. Cullen went to the front from the fun and had to contend with windy conditions in the home straight. “I’m not going to lie it was tough,” she admitted. Leevale’s Michelle Finn was second in 16:43.31 and Ciara Durkan (Skerries) was third. Full results of day 1 and a link to live results is here.
Christie shows class in 10,000m
Other highlights on the first day of action included an impressive last 800m by Mullingar Harriers’ Mark Christie to win the 10,000m in 29:52.84. Defending champion Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock) had to settle for second in 30:04.10 while Ryan Creech (Leevale) 30:09.34.
Treacy dominates the 'chase
Sara Treacy (Dunboyne) dominated from the off and retained her national 3,000m steeplechase title in 9:58.92. Anne Marie McGlynn 10:37.27, Jessica Coyne (Dooneen) 10:49.29 rounded out the top three.
Battle for Beijing
The men's 400m generated a lot interest with places up for grabs on the Irish relay team at the World Track and Field Championships in Beijing later this month. Craig Lynch (Shercock) won heat 1 in 48.88, Zak Curran (DSD) impressed in heat 2 in 48.52, Richard Morrissey (Crusaders) edged 800m specialist Karl Griffin (UCD) in 47.98 to 48.12 in heat 3. It was a similar story in heat 3 with Brian Murphy (Crusaders) winning in 47.77 ahead of Dara Kervick (Clonliffe Harriers) in 47.80 – it was Murphy's 15th time to reach a national 400m final. Timmy Crowe (Clonliffe Harriers) rounded out the qualifiers winning heat 5 in 48.48. Brian Gregan was granted a bye to the final having run a race in Belgium today in 45.89.
English impresses; mouth watering women's 800m awaits
Mark English looked supreme in cruising to the final of the men's 800m final in 1:53.84. Declan Murray (Clonliffe Harriers) was the fastest qualifier with 1:53.36. Even more intriguing was the women's 800m and the final is set to be mouth-watering prospect with Ciara Everard (UCD), Ciara Mageean (UCD) and Laura Crowe (An Riocht) all advancing.
White strikes for 7th national title
Anita White (DSD) impressed in the javelin to win her 7th national title with a best throw of 51.56m. Claire Fitzgerald (Tralee Harriers) secured silver with 40.88m while rising star Michaela Walsh (Swinford) won her first national senior medal in third with 39.83m.
Fitzgerald wins 6th Discus title
Claire Fitzgerald (Tralee Harriers) won her 6th national discus title with a best throw of 52.52m. Anne-Marie Torsney (Fingallians) edged silver with a best of 43.14m ahead of Sophie Parkinson (Gowran AC) in third with 43.06m.
Burke walks to gold
Veronica Burke (Ballinasloe & District) won the first gold on the track in the 5,000m race walk in 25:18.96. Maeve Curley (Craughwell A.C.) 26:16.12. Lauren Whelan (Leevale A.C.) 26:32.42
Hammer time for White
Padraig White (Dunboyne) put an injury spell behind him to win hammer gold with 60.13m, Killian Barry (Crusaders) had to settle for second with 59.32m and Simon Galligan (Clonliffe Harriers) rounded out the medallists with a best of 56.34m.
Finnegan and McLoone win triple jump titles
An Riocht’s Denis Finnegan won the men's triple jump title with 15.19m the best of his series. Eoin Kelly (St Abban’s) finished second with a final round jump of 14.67m and Conall Mahon (Tir Chonaill) third in 14.47m
One jump was enough for Mary McLoone (Tir Chonaill) to win the women's triple jump with 12.71m. Sarah Buggy (St Abban’s) was second with 12.25m and Laura Saulters (North Down) was third with 11.43m.
McBride lives up to top billing
Sean McBride delivered on his number one ranking status in the men's javelin to win with a best throw of 63.21m. Last year's champion Rory Gunning (Fr Murphy AC) won silver with a best of 60.93m and Jaco Oosthuysen (Donore Harriers) won bronze once more with 58.19m.
Fitzgerald wins 6th Discus title
6 discus titles Claire Fitzgerald (Tralee Harriers) 52.52m. Second Anne-Marie Torsney with a best of 43.14m Sophie Parkinson (Gowran AC)third with 43.06m.
Clonliffe and Fingallians win 4x100m relays
Clonliffe Harriers 41.98, Tallaght 42.28, Menapians 43.64 Fingallians won the women's in 49.16. Luke Horgan (Leevale) held off Barry Keane (Waterford) in the 3,000m in 8:44.70 to 8:44.91. Fearghal Curtin (Youghal AC) was third in 8:46.86. Peter Ryan (Nenagh Olympic) proved to be the strongest in the 56lbs weight for height with a best of 4.10m. Templemore's John Dwyer was second with 3.70m