Several of Ireland’s top athletes will get their indoor seasons underway this weekend as the AAI Games and 123.ie National Indoor Combined Event Championships take centre stage at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Abbotstown.
A host of stars from the 2024 season are expected to take their place on Saturday for the AAI Games, while national titles will be down for decision on Sunday as the multi-events conclude.
- AAI Games & Combined Events Day 1 Timetable: HERE
- Combined Events Day 2 Timetable: HERE
- Start Lists& Live results: HERE
AAI GAMES
Sprints action get’s Saturday’s proceedings underway with a host of familiar names returning to the blocks as they get 2025 up and running.
Sarah Leahy (Killarney Valley AC) and Jennifer Hanrahan (Dundrum South Dublin AC) look set to take to the 60m, while Gabriel Kehinde (Nenagh Olympic), Sean Aigboboh (Tallaght AC), Joseph Ojewumi (Tallaght AC), and Bori Akiola (UCD AC) headline a strong entry across the men’s 60m.
Marcus Lawler (Clonliffe Harriers A.C.) holds entries in the 60m and 200m, with the 200m entry list also including European U18 bronze medallist Joe Burke (Templemore AC).
The women’s 200m includes North Down’s Rachel McCann, while Aoife Lynch (Donore Harriers), and Molly Hourihan (UCD AC) also look set to take their places.
The 400m is sure to be one of the most talked about events in Irish athletics in 2025 and many will be looking to stake a claim on Irish relay teams over the coming months.
David Bosch (UCD AC), David Ryan (Moycarkey Coolcroo AC), and Eoin Kenny (Waterford AC) will be looking to kick-start their indoor seasons on the men’s side, while Niamh Murray (Bray Runners AC) is sure to have sights set on another big year.
The women’s 800m features some exciting young stars with Ava Diver (Beechmount Harriers AC) and Maria Zakharenko (Kilcoole AC) entered.
Amy O’Donoghue (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) holds entries in the 1500m and 3000mm, with the 3000m looking particularly strong with rising star Emer McKee (Willowfield Harriers) set to join Edel Monaghan (Dublin City Harriers AC) and Laura Mooney (Tullamore Harriers AC) on the start line. Matei Ursachi (Clonliffe Harriers AC) will be a lively contender in the men’s 3000m.
The 60m hurdles could potentially see the return of Olympian Kate O’Connor (Dundalk St Gerards) on the back of becoming Ireland’s first ever heptathlete to compete an Olympic Games last August
O’Connor looks set to take to the blocks alongside Sarah Quinn (St. Colmans South Mayo AC), while Adam Nolan looks the one to beat among the entries for the men’s 60mH.
Jumps action is not to be missed on Saturday with the exciting trio of Conor Penney (Craughwell AC), Aoife O’Sullivan (Liscarroll AC), and Siun Quinn (Brothers Pearse AC) ready to jump into 2025 competition, while we can expect strong early season showings from Rhianna McCarthy (UCD AC) and Colm Bourke (Raheny Shamrock) in the long jump.
Matthew Callinan Keenan (St. L. O’Toole AC) looks to be coming back to his best in the pole vault and he will look to loosen out as he bids for the national senior title next month, while Meabh Corkery (Midleton AC) will look to continue her progress in the women’s competition .
The women’s shot looks set to be another quality competition with both Michaela Walsh and Ciara Sheehy (Emerald AC) entered.
Combined Events
Jack Forde (St. Killian’s A.C.) will be looking to keep up his winning run in the men’s heptathlon as he bids to make it three-in-a-row come Sunday afternoon.
Forde retained his title last year in impressive fashion fashion, finishing over 600 points clear of fellow podium finishers Evan Hayes (Waterford A.C.) and Taiwo Adereni (Waterford A.C.) who will re-oppose once more this weekend.
Eoin O’Callaghan (Bandon AC) enjoyed a stellar 2024 season and he’ll be looking to build on his growing reputation as he steps up to the U20 grade having secured the U18 title last year.
The senior, U20 and U18 men will be in action in the 60m, Long Jump, High Jump and Shot Put on Saturday before taking on the 60m Hurdles, Pole Vault and 1000m on Sunday.
Laura Frawley (Nenagh Olympic AC) showed great consistency throughout her 2024 season and looks a leading favourite for the senior women’s pentathlon title as she bids to start 2025 on a winning note.
Brynja Brynjarsdottir (City of Lisburn AC) graduates to the senior ranks following her gold in the U20 pentathlon last year and will have eyes on the podium places.
Caoimhe Fitzsimons (Ratoath AC) looks the one to beat in the race for the national U20 title.
