Rising Stars Tullamore bound this weekend

It is set to be a star-studded affair at the Irish Life Health National Junior & U23 Championships this weekend (17th July 2022), as a host of rising athletics talent takes to Tullamore Harriers to battle it out for championship titles and medal glory.  

Israel Olatunde (UCD AC) takes to the mens 100m this Sunday as he looks to continue his run of incredible performances this season, from winning the senior championship title last month to setting a new PB in recent weeks of 10.26 while competing at Morton Games.  

Also set to compete in the mens 100m will be Leevale AC duo Conor Morey and Colin Doyle, Metro St Brigid’s Nkemjika Onwumereh and Oliver Swinney (Speed Development Project). 

The women's 100 and 200m sprint events could be the highlight of a busy day of competition, with Lauren Cadden (Sligo AC) and Lucy May Sleeman (Leevale AC) set to take to the start line. Cadden took the 200m senior title in June and will look to continue her superb season in the U23 category. Sleeman has enjoyed a season of PB performances and will be eager to return to the 100m (Junior) starting blocks having missed out on the juvenile championships last weekend. Sleeman holds entries in the 100 and 200m, as well as the 100m hurdles. 

The distance events are sure to be gripping affairs, with athletics stars Nick Griggs (Mid Ulster AC) and Dean Casey (Ennis Track Club) both currently entered in the junior 1500m and 3000m races.  

Lucy McGlynn (Tir Chonaill AC) returns to Tullamore after claiming the juvenile 400mH title last weekend, setting a new PB in the 400m of 56.02. McGlynn has enjoyed an ultra-consistent season to date, also setting a new 1-minute flat PB while competing at the senior 400mH championships. McGlynn is set to go in the 400mH and has an entry for the 100m hurdles.  

Lake District AC’s own Conor Cusack and Oisin Joyce will be the ones not to miss in the Javelin competition. Joyce set the national U18 record to 69.88m while competing at the European U18 Championships, coming fourth in the final. Cusack won the senior championship title last month and holds the U20 national record at 72.13m.  

The women's Hammer will see Adrienne Gallen (Lifford Strabane AC) and Nicola Tuthill (Bandon AC) battle it out for top spot. Gallen has collected several championships medals this season and no doubt will be on the hunt to add more this weekend. Tuthill makes her season debut this weekend returning to the throwing cage after injury.  

U18 Championships last week, Ava Rochford (Nenagh Olympic AC) jumps back into pole vault and high jump action at this weekend's championships. Rochford set a new high jump PB of 1.79m to claim fourth place at the European U18 championships and will be looking to go one better in Tullamore. 

Ruby Millet (St Abbans AC) will be the one to watch in the U23 women's long jump. At the Senior Championships last month Millet reached 6.58m, in a windy Morton stadium to claim the title. Millet also competed at the Karlstad Grand Prix in recent weeks coming fifth in the final with a 6.10m jump. 

Una Brice (Leevale AC) will take to the women's pole vault (junior) as she continues her streak of stellar performances which included breaking the championship record (3.55m) on her way to the juvenile gold last weekend. Brice also won her first senior championship title in Morton Stadium back in June in what were anything but ideal conditions for the pole vault. 

Sean Mockler (Moycarkey Coolcroo AC) is set to take to the hammer, discus, and weight for distance. Mockler was this year's senior hammer champion reaching 65.33m in a windy Morton stadium. Taking to the cage this weekend he will be looking to get closer and exceed that 68.68m PB he set in April this year.  

Athletes are reminded only 5mm pyramid spikes are allowed in order to compete in Tullamore.  

All those taking to the stadium are reminded to be mindful of the hot weather expected for this weekend. Please remember to bring suncream, stay hydrated and avail of shade where possible.  

• Spectator tickets are available HERE. This is a TICKET ONLY EVENT. There will be no cash or card entry. 

• Provisional Timetable (Updated 27.06.2022) HERE 

• This event will be live streamed on the Athletics Ireland Youtube Channel 

• Live results will be available HERE (Updated on day of competition) 

• Please note only 5mm pyramid spikes are allowed on the Tullamore Harriers track