Molly Scott (St. Laurence O'Toole AC) stole the show with a record breaking 7.19 60-meter performance on day 2 the Irish Life Health National Senior Indoor Championships (Feb 27th).
The 7.19 time retakes the Irish national senior record which Rhasidat Adeleke (7.21) had claimed from Scott earlier this indoor season.
The performance, which saw Scott explode from the blocks in her now customary style, continues a remarkably consistent season for the St. Laurence O’Toole star which will now conclude at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade next month.
Those in attendance at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena were also treated to a new U23 national record from Sarah Healy in the 3000m (8:53:67), securing the first gold medal of the day with a brilliant display of solo running for the last 1000m.
Healy claimed a prominent position from the gun alongside fellow Olympian Michelle Finn (Leevale AC), before upping the tempo with 5 laps to go on her run to gold. Healy will now focus her attentions on the 1500m with World Indoor qualification already secured.
Track Thrills
All eyes were on the 400m come the afternoon session, and it didn’t disappoint with Phil Healy (Bandon AC) running a stormer to clock 51.75 (CBP), just 0.01 outside of her personal best. Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrocks AC) claimed the silver medal in a personal best time of 52.64 which is inside the World Indoor qualifying standard (52.90).
Georgie Hartigan (DSD AC) continued her stunning early season form to take a tactical women’s 1500m in a time of 4:23:26. It was a brilliant race which saw Nadia Power (Dublin City Harriers) challenge down the home straight, crossing in 4:23.62.
The 800m finals included some star names, and Olympians Louise Shanahan lived up to the favourites tag to take the gold. The Tokyo Olympian was made work for the titles, challenged throughout by Claire Mooney (2:07:13) of Naas AC who would eventually finish in the silver medal position. Shanahan secured the gold with a time of 2:06:72.
Field Event Finals
The competition on the in-field was just as thrilling with a host of fine performances, highlighted with a championship record of 6.42 (CBP) from Ruby Millet of St. Abbans AC in the women’s long jump. Millet has been consistently threatening records this indoor season and will be excited to see what the upcoming outdoor season will bring. Clubmate Saragh Buggy (St. Abbans AC) took the silver with a 5.77 jump, with Katie Nolke (Ferrybank AC) bronze 5.63m.
There were more shared medals to follow in the high jump final, but not the gold on this occasion. Ava Rochford (Nenagh Olympic) claimed the top spot with a 1.78m jump, with the trio of Daena Kealy (St. Abbans AC), Philippa Rogan (Sli Cualann) and Aoife O’Sullivan (Liscarroll AC) sharing the silver with 1.75m jumps.
Michaela Walsh (Swinford AC) claimed another indoor shot put title with a best throw of 14.96m, from Aoibhín McMahon Blackrock (12.75) in second, and Ciara Sheehy Emerald AC third (12.27).
Relays Sign Off In Style
The relays rounded off a super week of national indoor athletics action in style, with Dundrum South Dublin AC (Kate DOHERTY, Molly HOURIHAN, Cara MURPHY, Mollie O REILLY) securing a Championship and National Club Record of 1:41:15 to take the gold medal. Leevale AC followed closely in second in 1:41:90, and Ratoath third in 1:43:98.
