Several of Ireland’s leading athletes will ramp up their indoor campaigns this weekend as the AAI Games and the 123.ie National Indoor Combined Events Championships take centre stage at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Abbotstown.
Competitive fields are expected to line up across all events on Saturday for the AAI Games, while national titles in the combined events will be confirmed on what will be a busy Sunday for those competing in the multi-event competitions.
The first national championship medals of 2026 will be awarded on the track on Saturday, with the national 4x400m mixed relay scheduled for 4.40pm. Dundrum South Dublin AC claimed the inaugural indoor senior mixed 4x400m title last year in a time of 3:50.11, finishing ahead of DSD (B) and Mayo AC. They return with a strong squad as they look to defend their title and will face competition from Mero/St. Brigid’s, Letterkenny AC, Ratoath AC, and UCD AC.
- AAI Games & Combined Events Day 1 Timetable: HERE
- Combined Events Day 2 Timetable: HERE
- Start Lists& Live results: HERE (Updated on Saturday)
- Free spectator entry both days
AAI GAMES
Sprint action gets proceedings underway on Saturday, with a number of familiar faces returning to competition as the 2026 indoor season begins.
In the women’s 60m, Sarah Leahy (Killarney Valley AC) looks set to take to the blocks following her 50m national record (6.41*) in Switzerland yesterday. T13 World Champion Orla Comerford (Raheny Shamrock AC) clocked a 6.47 in the same race in Switzerland and could join Leahy on the start-line on Saturday. The men’s 60m boasts a strong line-up, led by Bori Akinola (UCD AC) and Michael Farrelly (Raheny Shamrock AC), both of whom were members of the Irish 4x100m relay squad that broke the long-standing national record on two occasions last year.
The 200m events promise to be particularly competitive as athletes build towards the national championships. Mark Smyth (Raheny Shamrock AC) returns to action in the men’s race alongside exciting talents including Joe Doody (UCD AC), Joe Burke (Templemore AC), and Sean Doggett (Athenry AC).
The women’s 200m includes several national medallists, with Mollie O’Reilly (Dundrum South Dublin AC), Caoimhe Cronin (Le Chéile AC), Lucy McGlynn (Tír Chonaill AC), and Molly Daly (Kilkenny City Harriers) among those to watch.
The women’s 800m features a blend of emerging talent and proven performers, including Ava Diver (Beechmount Harriers AC), Maria Zakharenko (Kilcoole AC), and U23 indoor champion Renee Crotty (UCD AC).
Familiar names are set to take to the men’s 1500m with Louie Woodger (Metro/St. Brigid’s AC) and Eoghan McElhinney (Bantry AC) among the entries, while UCD are well represented in the women’s 1500m, with Greta Streimyte and Ellie Hartnett among those entered.
The 3000m events should also deliver competitive racing, with European U20 cross-country medallist Emma Hickey (United Striders AC) a notable entrant in the women’s race.
The 60m hurdles will see the return of St. Laurence O’Toole AC duo Adam Nolan and Molly Scott, while one of the standout field events of the day could be the men’s pole vault, with Matthew Callinan Keenan (St. Laurence O’Toole AC), Michael Kent (D.M.P. AC), and Conor Callinan (Leevale AC) all entered.
*Record subject to ratification.
Combined Events
Jack Forde (St. Killian’s AC) and Laura Frawley (Nenagh Olympic AC) claimed the senior titles at last year’s 123.ie National Indoor Combined Events Championships, with Frawley set to return in defence of her crown.
Frawley was a dominant winner in 2025, accumulating 3,252 points to finish well clear of Louise King, who placed second on 2,654 and is among those set to reoppose. Frawley outscored her rivals in all but one event last year, with particularly strong performances in the 60m hurdles (832 points) and high jump (765). The 2025 University Athlete of the Year will once again be the athlete to beat.
Forde secured a third consecutive men’s heptathlon title last year but will not defend his crown this weekend, opening the door for a new champion. Evan Hayes (Waterford AC), who finished fourth last year and claimed silver in 2024, will be aiming to go one better, though he can expect strong challenges from Noah Gilmore (Kilkenny City Harriers) and Ronan Bloomer (Mid Ulster AC).
Large entry numbers across the age categories highlight the continued growth of the combined events in Ireland, with the success of global multi-event star Kate O’Connor at last year’s World Championships in Tokyo expected to inspire the next generation in the years ahead.
