Bumper weekend of athletics action set for Morton Stadium

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Bumper entry for AAI Games

There is a bumper entry for the AAI Games which get underway at 10.15am on Saturday and 10.30am on Sunday. A number of athletes will be looking to claim world ranking points as well as attain qualification standards for the upcoming U20 and U23 European Track and Field Championships, both of which take place next month.

Saturday June 12th

Events look competitive right across the two days of athletics action which gets underway with the Men’s Hammer on Saturday morning. Sean Mockler of Moycarkey Coolcroo AC looks set to take his place in a bid to continue his early season form having recently competed at the European Throwing Cup in Split back in May. 

The first series of Men’s 110m Hurdles will have all eyes on national champions Gerard O’Donnell (Carrick-on-Shannon AC) and Matthew Behan (Crusaders AC). The Women’s 100m hurdles looks as competitive as ever with Molly Scott (SLOT), Lilly-Ann O’Hora (Dooneen AC), and recent World Relay team member Kate O’Doherty (DSD AC) set to take to the starting blocks.

Michaela Walsh (Swinford AC) and Nicola Tuthill (Bandon AC) will go in the Women’s Hammer from 11.30am. Both athletes put in super performances at the recent European Throwing Cup and will be eager to build on this season’s progress.

The Women’s 800m is once again showing its depth with a bumper strong field set to take to the track at 11.50.  Ellie Hartnett (UCD AC) and Ava O’Connor (Tullamore Harriers AC) have had impressive starts to 2021 so this looks like it could be one of the races of the weekend if all take their place (both named athletes also entered in the 1500m).

The Men’s 800m looks ultra-competitive and Louis O’Loughlin (Donore Harriers AC) and Cillian Kirwan (Raheny Shamrock AC)) will be looking to continue their progress with National Championships set for the weekend of June 25th.

Roisin Flanagan will be hoping for a fast pace from the gun in the Women’s 3,000m, while national indoor champion Ciara Wilson (DMP A.C), Laura Mooney (Tullamore Harriers AC), and Aoife Kilgallan (Sligo AC) all come into this weekend on the back of impressive recent performances.

The Men’s 3000m looks like it could be one of the races of the weekend. Dean Casey (Ennis Track AC) comes here on the back of a 5k PB in Belfast recently, while athletes like European Cross Country medallist Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe Harriers), Sean Donoghoe (Celtic DCH), Tadhg Donnelly (Drogheda District AC), and Cormac Dalton (Mullingar Harriers) are also entered. Several U20 athletes entered will be looking to run inside the European U20 track and field qualification standard of 8:23:00.

The Women’s Shot Put includes recent European Throws athlete Casey Mulvey (Inny Vale AC) who will be coming in on the back of her recent personal best performance in Split. Multiple National Champion Saragh Buggy of St Abbans will be back in Triple Jump action at 2pm.

Lauren Roy (City of Lisburn AC) and Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank AC) look set to go well in the Women’s 200m alongside recent World Relay athlete Sharlene Mawsdley (Newport AC) who is likely to double up 400m on Sunday.  

The Men’s 200 looks just as competitive with several athletes coming into this weekend in great form. National champion Mark Smyth (Raheny Shamrock) looks super in Cork at the recent micro meet while Adam Murphy (Tinryland AC) and Paul Costelloe (Emerald AC) come here on the back of impressive performances in Belfast.

The Men’s Shot Put will see the return of Finn Valley’s James Kelly, while clubmate and World U20 Silver medallist (2018) Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley AC) will go in the Women’s High Jump on Saturday afternoon and will be another of the cohort of athletes looking to build world ranking points.

Sunday June 13th

Sunday gets underway with a bang with the Women’s and Men’s 100m events first out on track. A host of familiar names including Kate Doherty (DSD AC), Lauren Roy (City of Lisburn AC), Molly Scott (SLOT) and Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank AC) are all entered.

Israel Olatunde (UCD AC) and Stephen Gaffney (Rathfarnham WSAF AC) look among the favourites in the Men’s 100m with the first series of races set for 11.10am.

Saragh Buggy (St Abbans AC) will be back in action in the Women’s Long Jump, taking her place beside a host of athletes looking to build on last year’s progress including clubmate Ruby Millet (St Abbans AC) and Sarah McCarthy (Mid Sutton AC).

The Women’s’ Steeplechase will see the return of Eilish Flanagan who has starred for Adams State this year, while Kerry Ann O’Flahery (Newcastle and District AC) also comes into this weekend on the back of a number of outings stateside. Emma O’Brien (Sli Cualann AC) will be looking for a big performance as she focuses in on the European U23 standard.

The 1-2-3 from last year’s national championships line up in the Women’s 400m Hurdles which will see the impressive Nessa Millet (St Abbans AC) take her place alongside Niamh Malone (Monaghan Phoenix AC) and Karen Dunne Bohermeen AC).

Matthew Behan (Crusaders AC) and Cathal Locke (Doneen AC) look among the leading contenders in the Men’s 400m Hurdles which is scheduled for 2pm on Sunday.

Claire Fagan (Mullingar Harriers), Ellie Hartnett (UCD AC), and Ava O’Connor (Tullamore Harriers) are all down to run in the Women’s 1500m, while Greta Streimyte (Clonliffe Harriers AC) returns on the back of her gold medal at the recent World Para Athletics European Championships.

The Men’s 1500m will see Cian McPhillips (Longford AC) step up his preparations for the upcoming European U20 Championships. The pace is sure to be fast from the gun with a host of athletes coming her in great form including Shane Bracken of Swinford AC.

Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) will be looking to continue her blistering from this season in the Women’s 400m alongside Cliodhna Manning (Kilkenny City Harriers) and Catherine McManus of Dublin City Harriers, while Galway City Harriers pair of Cillin Green and Robert McDonnell will line up against a competitive field in the men’s division which will include Brandon Arrey (Raheny Shamrock).

Live streaming will get underway at 10am both days with commentary from 12pm via the Athletics Ireland Youtube Channel.

  • Due to government regulations on event capacity, the event will be closed to all media, coaches, and spectators.
  • Live Stream via Athletics Ireland Youtube Channel from 10am each day.
  • Commentary: 12 – 4pm Saturday and 12 – 4.30pm Sunday.
  • Entry Lists: Click here
Irish Life Health National Combined Events

Ireland’s multi-event athletes are back in competitive action at this weekend’s Irish Life Health National Combined Event Championships in Morton Stadium. The action gets underway at 10am with a number of familiar faces taking to the track and field. Elizabeth Morland (Cushinstown A.C.) will do battle with Louise King (St. Colmans South Mayo A.C.) and Lara O Byrne (Donore Harriers) for the senior championship honours.

The junior division starts with the 100m Hurdles at 10.20am alongside their senior counterparts. Chloe Casey (Galway City Harriers A.C.), Maeve Hayes (St. Pauls A.C.) and Molly Curran (Carmen Runners A.C.) are all set to take their place.

Shane Aston (Trim AC) will be looking to add another senior men’s title but will face stiff competition from Michael Bowler (Enniscorthy) and Rolus Olusa (Clonliffe Harriers). Olusa took the honours at the 2020 indoors to stop the Trim AC athlete’s streak of national multi-events titles.

The junior men start with a bang on Saturday morning, taking to the track for the 100m. A competitive line up of Tristan Chambers (Bandon A.C.), Diarmuid O'Connor, (Bandon A.C.), Liam Nolan (North West Kildare A.C.), Jack Forde (St. Killian's A.C.), Dylan Chambers (Bandon A.C.) will battle it out for national honours.

  • Due to government regulations on event capacity, the event will be closed to all media, coaches, and spectators.
  • Live Stream via Athletics Ireland Youtube Channel from 10am each day.
  • Commentary: 12 – 4pm Saturday and 12 – 4.30pm Sunday
  • Entry Lists:  Click here

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