With the National Senior Athletics Championships just over a month away, Donegal’s Lauren O’Callaghan still has plenty of time to fine-tune her preparations as she looks to defend her title.
The 24-year-old leapt to victory in the long jump last August at the Morton Stadium, setting a personal best on a blustery day to claim her first outdoor title, adding to the indoor crown she had already secured earlier that year.
For O’Callaghan, it marked a moment of redemption after narrowly missing out the year before and saw her tick off one of her major career goals.
“It was fantastic to get my first outdoor title. I had gotten the indoor title in the indoors and then the outdoors prior to that I was second by one centimetre, so it was definitely a big goal for last year,” she told Athletics Ireland.
Despite the tricky, windy conditions, the Finn Valley AC athlete still managed to come within one centimetre of her lifetime best, no small feat in championship competition.
“It was one centimetre off my PB that day, it was a great day all round.”
The 2025 National Championships drew big crowds, with tickets selling out and a strong atmosphere building, particularly along the backstraight at the jumps area.
“Last year there was a massive crowd for the jumps. Sometimes we don’t get as many people over our side of the track.
“It’s definitely increased over the last two years but there was such an amazing buzz last year. I think there was actually trouble for people to get in at the fence.”
Lauren O'Callaghan will defend her senior women's long jump title at the end of July
Now with two national titles to her name, O’Callaghan is taking a relaxed approach as she looks ahead to this year’s National Senior Track and Field Championships on 25-26 July.
“I just go out and jump and enjoy what I do, I don’t feel under pressure.”
Buoyed by last year’s win and her strong form so far this season, the Donegal athlete is clearly relishing the chance to challenge for top spot once again.
“I think last year was such a big confidence boost for me and then I’ve been jumping really well this year and so I’m excited for the championships now in the summer.”
It has been a strong year to date for O’Callaghan, who has added an impressive 25 centimetres to her personal best this season.
Most recently, she finished third at a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze meeting in Cyprus, taking advantage of near-perfect conditions to extend her best to 6.50 metres.
“It’s been going great. I had a couple of pbs indoors and then I jumped last weekend and was two centimetres off my pb.
“I can’t really ask for much at the minute, really happy with the shape I’m in.”
Now ranked third on the Irish all-time list in the long jump, O’Callaghan is well aware of the significance of the national championship, regardless of the competition on the day.
“It’s always a great day in the calendar.”
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More event information: 123.ie National Senior Track & Field Championships – Athletics Ireland
