Ireland’s leading track and field athletes will descend on Morton Stadium this weekend (July 25th & 26th) for the 154th edition of the 123.ie National Senior Track and Field Championships.
With the Birmingham 2026 European Championships fast approaching, this year’s national showpiece carries added significance as athletes continue their pursuit of European qualification.
There will be no shortage of compelling contests across a packed two-day programme, with a potential showdown between Mark English (Finn Valley AC) and Cian McPhillips (UCD AC) in the men’s 800m among the most eagerly anticipated events.
Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe Harriers) will bid to secure a fifth consecutive outdoor 1500m title in what promises to be another high-quality final. Doyle will likely face a formidable challenge from Nick Griggs (CNDR Track) and Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC), setting the stage for one of the standout races of the weekend.
The women’s middle-distance events are equally compelling, with Sarah Healy (UCD AC) and Sophie O’Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh AC) both currently holding entries in the 800m and 1500m.
The sprint programme also has all the ingredients for a headline-making weekend. Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) will be chasing an extraordinary 11th outdoor 100m hurdles crown, further extending one of the most dominant records in Irish championship athletics.
The men’s sprint events promise to deliver some of the most explosive racing of the weekend. Defending 100m champion Bori Akinola (UCD AC) is focused on defending his 100m crown this weekend. He is sure to face a stern test from the in-form Seán Aigboboh (Tallaght AC) and Benjamin Richardson (Waterford AC) who also hold entries for the 200m. Richardson arrives with the fastest times over 100m and 200m this season, having clocked 10.06 and 20.25 respectively, and could make an immediate impact on his senior National Championships debut.
There will be no shortage of star quality in the women’s sprints. Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) is entered in both the 200m and 400m, while much attention will also focus on Rhasidat Adeleke’s (Tallaght AC) pursuit of European qualification in the 200m. Adeleke is likely to face a formidable challenge from Mawdsley and Lauren Roy (Fast Twitch AC), with Roy boasting the fastest time by an Irishwoman over the distance this season (22.83).
The field events will also feature several of Ireland’s leading international athletes, with Olympian Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC) among the headline entries. The 22-year-old has established herself as one of the country’s most consistent performers and will provide Irish supporters with an opportunity to see her in action ahead of the European Championships in Birmingham.
Tuthill has moved within touching distance of Eileen O’Keeffe’s national hammer record of 73.21m after improving her personal best to 72.73m this season. She will arrive at Morton Stadium seeking a fifth outdoor title and looking to build further momentum with the Europeans just over two weeks away.
HOW TO FOLLOW
- 2026 Outdoor Top Lists
- Weekend Timetable
- Both days streamed via Athletics Ireland YouTube
- RTE Coverage: Sunday from 6pm
- Live Results
- Spectator Tickets – The day ticket price will be €20 for any tickets not bought online.
SATURDAY JULY 25TH
TRACK THRILLS
Championship action gets underway from 12.30pm on Saturday with a packed opening day programme featuring the 200m finals, steeplechase finals, race walks and the opening rounds of the 400m, 800m and 1500m. The first track medals of the day will be in the walks where David Kenny (Farranfore Maine Valley) and Kate Veale (West Waterford AC) will look to retain their respective titles with Veale looking to make it seven in a row.
The women’s 200m final (3.25pm) could be one of the most eagerly watched events of the weekend should Irish record holder Rhasidat Adeleke make the start-line. Sharlene Mawdsley also boasts an entry and ranks as one of the country’s most in-form athletes alongside Lauren Roy who has enjoyed a breakthrough season to top the Irish 200m list in 2026 with 22.83.
The men’s 200m final (3.35pm) has all the ingredients to be one of the races of the weekend. Defending champion Marcus Lawler (Clonliffe Harriers AC) returns looking to retain the title he won in 20.66 last summer, but this year’s field looks significantly deeper. Benjamin Richardson has entered and could make his first senior national championship appearance, arriving with a 20.25A to his name this season. Sean Aigboboh has clocked 20.27 this season and will have eyes on his first individual senior outdoor title.
While the sprint finals will command plenty of attention, Saturday afternoon also provides the first clues towards Sunday’s eagerly anticipated middle-distance showdowns.
The women’s 800m heats (2.45pm) feature one of the strongest entry lists assembled in recent years. Sophie O’Sullivan, Emma Moore (Galway City Harriers) and defending champion Alex O’Neill (Limerick Track) are all entered, although several hold multiple race entries.
Attention will quickly switch to the men’s 800m heats (3.05pm) where arguably the weekend’s most anticipated race could begin to unfold. Mark English returns as defending champion after claiming a tenth national outdoor title last year and looked better than ever at the Diamond League Meet in London last week, clocking a new 1:42.97 PB. Cian McPhillips looks to be returning to his best in time for the summer’s major championships and is sure to be on the scene come the business end of Sunday’s final.
The 1500m heats (4.15pm women, 4.30pm men) should also provide an intriguing dress rehearsal for Sunday’s finals.
Defending champion Laura Nicholson (Bandon AC) looks set to be joined in the heats by Eimear Maher (DSD AC) and Jodie McCann (DCH) to name but a few.
The men’s heats may prove every bit as compelling. Cathal Doyle returns seeking a fifth consecutive outdoor title, but Andrew Coscoran, Nick Griggs, and Callum Morgan (CNDR Track Club) will ensure there will be no straightforward route to the five-in-a-row.
Earlier in the afternoon, the women’s 3000m steeplechase final (3.45pm) sees defending champion Abbie Sheridan (St Peters AC) face perhaps her toughest test yet. Sheridan has lowered her best to 9:43.69 this season but Ava O’Connor (Tullamore Harriers) has shown the ability to go sub 9;40 on the back of her 9:39.85 back in April. The men’s 3000m steeplechase (4.00pm) will see defending champion Finley Daly returning after improving his PB this year to 8:35.65.
FIELD FOCUS (SATURDAY)
The field programme is equally stacked throughout the afternoon.
Olympian Eric Favors (Raheny Shamrock) will headline the men’s shot put (1.45pm). The defending champion has already surpassed 20 metres again this season with a best of 20.40m and will start as a clear favourite to retain his title.
The high jump competitions could produce some of the closest field battles of the weekend. Siun Quinn (Brothers Pearse) heads the women’s entries after clearing 1.86m this season, while David Cussen (Old Abbey AC) returns as favourite in the men’s competition on the back of his 2.16m best.
The triple jump competitions are similarly well matched. Saragh Buggy (St Abbans) remains one of Irish athletics’ most consistent championship performers and will look to add another national title, while Darragh Fahy (Loughrea AC) heads the men’s rankings following his 14.63m performance earlier this summer.
SUNDAY JULY 26TH
TRACK THRILLS
Sunday’s programme promises a blockbuster conclusion to the championships, with national titles decided across the sprints, hurdles, middle distances and 5,000 metres before the relays bring the curtain down at Morton Stadium.
The battle to be crowned Ireland’s fastest man looks set to provide one of the headline contests. Defending champion Bori Akinola returns after claiming his maiden outdoor 100m title last year, but he will face a deep field that includes Sean Aigboboh, Gabriel Kehinde (Nenagh Olympic AC), Max O’Reilly (Riverstick Kinsale AC) and exciting senior championship debutant Benjamin Richardson (Waterford AC).
The women’s 100m also looks highly competitive. Ciara Neville (Emerald AC) produced one of the most popular victories of last year’s championships when she returned to the top of the outdoor podium, clocking 11.44 to defeat Lauren Roy (Fast Twitch AC) and Mollie O’Reilly (DSD AC). Molly Scott (St Laurence O’Toole AC) and Sarah Leahy (Killarney Valley AC) add further championship pedigree to a race that will go to the wire.
One of the most anticipated appearances of the afternoon will come in the women’s 100m hurdles where Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) goes in pursuit of an 11th outdoor title. Lavin powered to victory in 12.92 last year and remains the standard in Irish sprint hurdling. Sarah Quinn (St Colman’s South Mayo AC) and rising star Orlaith Mannion (South Galway AC) are sure to battle it out for the podium placings.
The men’s 110m hurdles will see defending champion Adam Nolan (St Laurence O’Toole AC) attempt to retain the title he won for the first time in 2025. Nolan produced a composed performance to take gold in 14.24 last year.
The women’s 400m features Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) among the entries as she looks to continue her sparkling form this season, albeit she could yet opt for the 200m. Defending champion Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock AC), Rachel McCann (North Down AC), Jenna Breen (City of Lisburn AC) and Arlene Crossan (Finn Valley AC) ensure there will be no shortage of depth to the race.
Jack Raftery (Donore Harriers AC) will bid for a third consecutive men’s 400m title. Raftery produced a superb 45.71 championship performance last year and again appears the athlete the rest of the field must overcome. Sean Doggett (Athenry AC) and Cillin Greene (Galway City Harriers AC) are among a group eager to challenge the defending champion in what is one not to be missed.
Niall Carney (Clonliffe Harriers AC) made his breakthrough in the men’s 400mh race last year following the long period of dominance enjoyed by Thomas Barr, while Fintan Dewhirst (Tir Chonaill AC) is among the leading entrants this time around. The women’s event also has an open feel and could be dictated by the appearance of Arleene Crossan who also holds a 400m entry.
Attention will then turn to the distance races, beginning with the women’s 5,000m. Defending champion Niamh Allen (Leevale AC) led a remarkable Cork clean sweep last year and returns as one of the principal contenders. Clubmate Anika Thompson (Leevale AC), Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) and several emerging athletes will ensure the pace remains honest, while the championship setting may encourage a tactical race before the decisive moves are made.
The seeded men’s 5,000m finals should see Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock AC), Darragh McElhinney (Bantry AC), Jack O’Leary (Mullingar Harriers AC), and Sean Tobin (Clonmel AC) to the fore.
The women’s 800m final could be among the closest races of the entire weekend. Defending champion Alex O’Neill (Limerick Track AC) prevailed by just four hundredths of a second last year and she could face off against a field including Emma Moore (Galway City Harriers AC), and Sophie O’Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh AC) should she not opt for the 1500m.
The men’s 800m brings together two of the biggest names in Irish middle-distance running. Mark English (Finn Valley AC) will attempt to extend his remarkable championship record after securing a tenth outdoor crown last year, but Cian McPhillips (UCD AC) will arrive with much encouragement following his performance in Londan last week. Cillian Kirwan (Raheny Shamrock AC) is the current 800m indoor champion and won’t need a second invitation if the opportunity to strike for gold comes his way.
Sarah Healy, Sophie O’Sullivan, Laura Nicholson (Bandon AC), Jodie McCann (DCH) and Eimear Maher (DSD) all hold entries in the women’s 1500m with the final composition of the field to be confirmed. Nicholson returns as defending champion following her breakthrough victory in 2025.
A special ‘Run with Ciara Mageean’ will take place between both 1500m finals with juvenile athletes from clubs all over Ireland joining Ciara on track for a special 150m run. The tribute will recognise an athlete whose resilience, determination and achievements have inspired thousands of young people to take up the sport.
The men’s 1500m could provide a fitting climax to the individual track programme. Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe Harriers AC) is bidding for a fifth successive national crown, but once again faces a field stacked with international quality. Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) and Nick Griggs (CNDR Track Club) rank as chief threats.
The 4x400m mixed, women’s and men’s relays will then close the championships, offering the clubs one final opportunity to secure national honours after two action-packed days in Santry.
FIELD FOCUS
Sunday’s field programme will be headlined by Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC) in the women’s hammer. Tuthill will bid to secure a fifth senior outdoor title at the age of 22.
The pole vault competitions should provide plenty of entertainment throughout the afternoon. Michael Kent (DMP AC) is among the standout names in the men’s event, while the women’s competition appears considerably more open.
The women’s long jump brings together defending champion Lauren Callaghan (Finn Valley AC), Ruby Millet (St Abbans AC) and a host of emerging challengers.
Sam Healy (Leevale AC) is expected to feature prominently in the men’s long jump. Healy’s speed on the runway and ability to produce his best jumps under championship pressure will make him difficult to beat.
The discus competitions complete Sunday’s traditional field schedule. Anna Gavigan (LSA AC) will be among the athletes to watch in the women’s event, while the men’s competition features Cian Crampton (Edenderry AC), Michael Healy (Leevale AC) and Owen Sheridan (Clonliffe Harriers).
Event Details:
📍 Morton Stadium, Santry
📅 July 25th & 26th
🎟️ Online Tickets – Please note the day ticket price will be €20 for any tickets not bought online.
📺 Watch Live: Athletics Ireland YouTube & RTÉ2 (Sunday, 6:00–8:00pm)
📊 Live Results: live.athleticsireland.ie
Attending Morton Stadium
Please note there is no car-parking within the stadium.
Please note there is no car-parking permitted on the Swords Road in front of Santry Stadium nor on the main route through the Northwood complex. Please plan your car parking well in advance of travelling to Morton Stadium. Note the Gardai will be present over the weekend and issuing fines to cars parked illegally. For disability permit holders please contact maresaconnolly@athleticsireland.ie
Public transport
We would encourage all patrons of the National Championships to avail of public transport. Santry is very well serviced by Dublin Bus and in particular the following bus routes, numbers 16, 27 B ,33, 41 with a stop at Morton Stadium. Route 1 from the city to Santry (Shanliss) is a 10 minute walk to Morton Stadium. Route N6 runs from Finglas/Kilbarrack/Finglas with a stop on Santry Avenue, (2 minutes walk to Morton Stadium).
Dublin Bus Timetables Here
Please allow extra time travelling on Sunday as traffic will be heavy approaching Dublin.
