NATIONAL RECORDS FALL AT 69th CORK CITY SPORTS
It was a thrilling schedule of athletics action at the 69th edition of the BAM Cork City Sports International Meet in MTU this evening (July 5th) with several Irish record falling across the track and field events.
John Kelly of Finn Valley posted a massive 20.16m throw in what was a brilliant shot-put competition in Cork. Kelly’s throw represents a new national record, a 20.20m throw from Eric Favors last April is still awaiting ratification. Italy’s Nick Ponzio would ultimately finish first with a 20.71m throw, but the performance marks another huge step forward for Kelly as he doubles down on the form shown in recent weeks. Eric Favors (Raheny Shamrock) finished 4th with a 20.11m throw, highlighting the standard of competition on show this evening.
Sarah Healy (UCD AC) and Darargh McElhinney both broke their respective Irish U23 3,000m records on their way to victory this evening. Healy posted a 8:46.14 to break her own U23 3,000m record which she had set in August of last year (8.52.63). Healy pushed all the way to the line to smash her personal best as she begins preparations for her appearance in the 1500m at the World Championships in Oregon later this month.
McElhinney also broke his own U23 3,000m record, taking over a second off the previous best to cross in 7:44.01. Nick Griggs (Mid Ulster AC) went in the same race, crossing in 6th place in a new Irish U20 record of 7:53.40.
Over the 100m hurdles, Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) claimed a superb new PB to finish second in 12.84 to hit peak form as she too prepares for the World Championships.
Select Results:
Men’s Shot Put
1 Ponzio, Nick MEN Italy 20.71m
2 Liskowitz, Andrew MEN United States 20.57m
3 Kelly, John MEN Ireland 20.16m
Women’s 100m
1 Awuah, Kristal WOMEN Great Britain 11.36
2 Scott, Molly WOMEN Ireland 11.41
3 Healy, Joan WOMEN Ireland 11.41
Men's 200m
| 1 | 4 | 5 | Dambile, Sinesipho | MEN | South Africa | 20.56 | |
| 2 | 6 | 8 | Kerr, Ian | MEN | Bahamas | 20.65 | |
| 3 | 8 | 13 | Smyth, Mark | MEN | Ireland | 20.89 | |
| 4 | 3 | 6 | Lawler, Marcus | MEN | Ireland | 20.92 |
Women’s 400m
1 Healy, Phil WOMEN Ireland 52.06
2 Manning, Cliodhna WOMEN Ireland 52.76
3 McAulay, Carys WOMEN Great Britain 53.78
Men’s 3000m
1 McElhinney, Darragh MEN Ireland 7:44.01 NU23R
2 Cairess, Emile MEN Great Britain 7:48.92
3 Speakman, Eric MEN New Zealand 7:50.19
Women’s 300m
1 Healy, Sarah WOMEN Ireland 8:46.14 NU23R
2 Rutto, Stella WOMEN Romania 8:47.36
3 Hansen, Georgia WOMEN Australia 8:47.67
Women’s 100mH
1 Barber, Jade WOMEN United States 12.72 MR
2 Lavin, Sarah WOMEN Ireland 12.84 PB
3 Heltbech, Mathilde WOMEN Denmark 13.37
Men’s 100m
1 Olatunde, Israel MEN Ireland 10.31
2 Gordon, Sam MEN Great Britain 10.33
3 Bruintjies, Henrico MEN South Africa 10.34
Full Results: HERE