MCCORRY AND FORDE CLAIM NATION TITLES AS NEW MULTI EVENT STARS EMERGE
Jack Forde (St Killians AC) and Niamh McCorry (Raheny Shamrock) claimed their respective senior titles over a busy weekend of multi-event action at the 123.ie National Indoor Combined Event Championships which took place at the TUS International Arena in Athlone (Jan 21st/22nd).
Forde (St Killians AC) stormed to top spot in the men’s competition with a dominant display across the 7-event schedule. The St Killians athlete claimed topped spot in 6 of the 7 events for a final points tally of 4624, capped off with a wide margin win in the 1000m to cross in 2.57.24.
Evan Hayes (3236) and Taiwo Adereni (3131) rounded out the podium places to claim silver and bronze.
Niamh McCorry (Raheny Shamrock) is the 2023 senior indoor pentathlon champion thanks to her superb 3018-point total. The Raheny all-rounder dominated all of her respective events to take first place ahead of Bláithín Ní Chiaráin in second with 2161 points.
The junior men’s event saw the return of some young exciting athletes and it was Alex Ademola (Leevale AC ) who continued his rapid rise in the event to take first place with 4346 points. Ademola had several tight duals Danny Hagan (Waterford AC) throughout the 7 events with the Waterford athlete having to settle for second place with 3946 points.
Aoibhin McDonald enjoyed a consistent two days of competition and took home the junior women’s pentathlon title with a final points tally of 2339.
Michael Kent (DMP AC) 4601 and Eoin O’Callaghan (Bandon AC) 4075 look stars of the future, but it was Kent on this occasion who took the gold medal in the youth competion. Shane McGrath and Sean McCabe also impressed in what was arguably the most competitive category of these championships.
The women’s youth competition saw looks Dundalk St Gerards with two athletes on the podium. Tara O’Connor had an outstanding competition and claimed gold with 3435 points, while her teammate Meabh O’Connor (no relation) took home the bronze with 3319. Ashleigh McCardle managed to split the two Dundalk athletes and looks another exciting young multi event athlete.
Full Results: HERE
League Round 2 (Sunday January 22nd)
Round 2 of the AAI National Indoor League also took place at the TUS International Arena today (Jan 22nd) and there was a host of impressive performances from the league and guest entries.
Leevale’s 4x200m relay team of Lucy-May Sleeman, Fatima Amusa, Okwu Backari, and BACKARI, Sophie Mulcahy stole the show with a blistering 1:40.23 NCR* to sign off an impressive two days for the Cork club.
Sleeman would also clock a 7.41 in the 60m to continue her blistering start to the 2023 season.
Ratoath's men's 4x200m team of Loclainn Harris, Darragh Masterson, Emanuel Osas, and Jesse Osas also posted a superb 1.30.52 for a national club U20 record. Clonliffe were fastest on the day with a 1:29.85.
Scott Gibson (Leevale) and Stephen Gaffney (Rathfarnham W.S.A.F) clocked 6.87 as guests in the 60m with both athletes looking sharp out of the blocks.
Olympian Marcus Lawler (Clonliffe Harriers) was another who looks to be building nicely, posting the fastest 200m of the day with his 21.33, while national champion Lauren Cadden (Sligo AC) also looked strong in clocking 24.18.
The men’s 800m was a quality race which was one by John Fitzsimons (Kildare AC) in 1:48.75. Mark Milner, Kevin McGrath, and Jack Bagge all crossed behind the Kildare athlete in 1.49s.
Raheny dominated the day’s 1500m races with the consistent Niamh Kearney (4:28.17) and Juan Ignacia Pena (3:51.63) leading home both of their respective races.
The high jump provide some great competition with Ava Rochford (Nenagh Olympic) and Jade Moorhead (Craughwell0 matching each other jump-for-jump before both bowing out on 1.60m, while Saragh Buggy (St Abbans) continued her season build up with a 12.50m best in the triple jump.
Matthew Callinan Keenan (SLOT) 4.50 will be happy with his 4.50m best in the pole vault, while Clodagh Walsh (Abbey Striders) will also be full of confidence heading into her next event on the back of today’s 3.30m vault.
Final team standings HERE
The National Indoor League Final is set to take place at the Sport Ireland NIA on February 11th.
Results: HERE