National Titles and European Standards Secured

It was another action-packed day of athletics in Santry with both the 2021 AAI Games and National Combined Events Championships coming to conclusion in Morton Stadium.

Elizabeth Morland (Cushinstown AC) and Rolus Olusa (Clonliffe Harriers AC) claimed the first two national senior titles at Morton Stadium in 2021.  Morland finished with a points total of 5178 in the Women’s Heptathlon ahead of Lara O’Byrne (4731) and Louise King (3738). Molly Curran takes home the Junior Women’s title, finishing with a total of 4259 points.

Rolus Olusa maintained his overnight lead in the Men’s Decathlon to finish with gold on 6242 points from Shane Aston (6216) and Michael Healy (4693). Jack Forde went away with the Junior Men’s total with a final total of 5044.

AAI Games

The sprinters were first on track in the exceptionally hot conditions at the AAI Games, with Molly Scott (SLOT) looking in sparkling form in posting the fastest 100m in 11.39. Kate Doherty (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) was second fastest with a 11.66, while Lauren Roy (City of Lisburn A.C.) clocked the third fastest time on the day in 11.79.

There were several impressive performances in the Men’s 100m which saw Stephen Gaffney (Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C.)  secure the fastest time with a 10.49. Israel Oladtunde (U.C.D. A.C.) 10.44, Conor Morey (Leevale A.C.) 10.52, Colin Doyle (Leevale A.C.) 10.52, and Joseph Olalekan Ojemumi (Tallaght A.C.) also impressed 10.57.

A 6:13.50 run for Eilish Flanagan (Carmen Runners A.C.) in the Women's 2000m S/C was one of the highlights of todays action, finishing ahead of Kerry O'Flaherty (Newcastle and District A.C.) 6:35.65 and Aoife Allen (St. Senans A.C.) 7:46.33. Ruarcan O’Gibne (Ace A.C.) took the men’s equivalent in 6:12.81.

The Women’s 400m Hurdles was won by Kelly McGrory (Tír Chonaill A.C.) in 59.77, from Deirdre Murray (Na Fianna A.C.) 1:01.44, and Seren O’Toole (Galway City Harriers A.C.) 1:04.49.

The Men’s 400m saw Jack Mitchell (SLOT) secure his U23 European standard with a 51.73 performance, while a super run from Alan Miley (SLOT) in 53.73 was just outside the U20 European qualifying standard but will be his focus at the U23’s next weekend.

The Women’s 1500m saw an impressive performance from Roisin Flanagan (Carmen Runners A.C.) in 4:15.50, while Cian McPhillips (Longford A.C) once again showed his class in taking the Men’s 1500 in 3:46.27. Shane Bracken (Swinford A.C.) finished runner up in 3:48.28, with Dan Mooney (Letterkenny A.C.) third in 3:50.48.

Cliodhna Manning was fastest in the Women’s 400m with the Kilkenny City Harriers A.C. athlete coming home in 53.07 from Catherine McManus (Dublin City Harriers A.C.) 53.67 and Grainne Moynihan (West Muskerry A.C.) 54.46.

The Men’s 400m was a tight affair with Jack Raftery coming out on top for Donore Harriers in 47.02 from Robert McDonnell of Galway City Harriers A.C. who impressed in both starts this weekend 47.13. Paul White of Nenagh Olympic A.C. was third in 48.01.

In the field events, the Women’s Pole Vault saw three athletes secure a 3.35 vault including Una Brice (Leevale A.C.), Clodagh Walsh (Abbey Striders A.C.) and Ciara Hickey (Blarney/Inniscara A.C.), while Matthew Callinan Keenan (St. L. O'Toole A.C.) was best of the men with a 4.55 vault.

Eoin Sheridan (Clonliffe Harriers A.C.) secured first place in the Men’s Discus with a 54.34 throw, while the rising star Casey Mulvey (Inny Vale A.C.)  continued her progress with a big PB of 44.84 in the Women’s Discus.

The Men’s Long Jump looked a competitive event on paper, and it proved to be the case with Adam McMullen (Crusaders A.C.) 7.68          , Sam Healy (Leevale A.C.) 7.60, and Shane Howard (Bandon A.C.) 7.49 all in contention throughout.

The Women’s Long Jump saw a second European U23 Standard for Ruby Millet with a 6.28 jump in her 4th round. The St Abbans athletes had already secured the standard jumping 6.32m last month in Belfast. Unfortunately, her 5th round jump of 6.33 was over the permitted legal wind limit.

Grace Casey (Eire Og Corra Choill A.C.) was best in the Womens Javelin taking a comfortable first place with a 41.94 throw, while Stephen Rice (Clonliffe Harriers A.C.) was back in the winning habit again taking the Men’s Javelin with a 71.04.

Full list of results available here: http://live.athleticsireland.ie/menu.html