Photo Creds: Stephen Marken
The 123.ie National Combined Events Championships kicked off the month on July 8 and 9 with both juvenile track and field championships and interclub relays. The event will continue on July 22 and 23.
In the first part of the competition, Lara O’Byrne (Donore Harriers A.C.) was crowned national senior combined event champion on Sunday, July 9, in the afternoon after two grueling days of competition.
O’Byrne retained the title she had claimed in 2022, notching up 4690 points on her way to victory.
Heptathlete Chloe Keenan (Emo Rath A.C.) also took U20 gold.
The Ireland Athletics events continued with the All Athletics Championship (AAI Games) on July 15 and 16. The AAI Games took off on July 15 for Day One, with impressive demonstrations of athleticism from Irish athletic stars.
Shona Heaslip (An Riocht A.C.) was crowned the national senior 10,000m champion after comfortably finishing first. The 28-year-old, in an impressive feat, broke her five-year personal best as she stormed across the finish line in 33.22.65, ahead of 26-year-old Cliona Murphy (Dublin City Harriers A.C.) and 25-year-old Claire Fagan (Mullingar Harriers A.C.).
Dundrum South Dublin Athletics Club was crowned the inaugural national senior 4x400m mixed relay champions while holding off the challenge from Carraig na bhFear A.C. and Crusaders A.C.
Earlier in the day, sprinter Kate O’Connor (Dundalk St. Gerald’s A.C.) soared to victory by winning both her races in the 100m and 110m Hurdles.
Four-hundred-meter runner Lucy-May Sleeman (Leevale A.C.), defeated Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrocks A.C.) and Roisin Harrison (Emerald A.C.) in the women’s race.
Two-time Olympian Michelle Finn (Leevale A.C.) clinched a second-place finish in the Women’s 2000m Steeplechase, finishing behind Australian, Georgia Winkcup.
In the field, Anna Gavigan (LSA A.C.) was the clear winner of the Women’s Discus, throwing 48.36m, and Alina Duran (Tallaght A.C.) won the women’s Hammer throw competition.
There were some fantastic performances across both days of the AAI Games at Morton Stadium in Santry.
Amongst the highlights on day two were Avril Millerick (Youghal A.C.) and Jack Fenlon (St. Abban's A.C.) winning the national U20 3000m titles 🤩
Report 🔽… pic.twitter.com/9EB3zIKCI3— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 16, 2023
The athletes returned to the track for Day Two of the AAI competition on July 16.
Day 2 of the AAI Games kicked off with impressive sprints from Mollie O'Reilly and Victoria Amiadamen. O’Reilly (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) found herself on top in the series of the women’s 100m by running a time of 11.48 (+2.2m/s). Amiadamen (Doneen A.C.) broke 60 seconds to claim a personal best and win the Women’s 400m Hurdles in 59.82.
In the long distance events, Swiss athlete Joceline Ward was a clear winner of the Women’s 1500m. Ellen Moran (Galway City Harriers A.C.) showed her skill and determination to win the senior women’s 3000m race. Avril Millerick (Youghal A.C.) won national U20 title in the 3000m by leading the women’s race from gun to tape, finishing in 9.57.64.
Maeve O’Neill (Doheny A.C.) was a strong winner over 800m and Tokyo Olympian Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrocks A.C.) continued her return to racing by clocking 53.68 in the Women's 400 to clinch a win.
In the field, victories went to Lucy Hadaway (City of York A.C.) for Long Jump, Sarah Buggy (St. Abban’s A.C.) in Triple Jump, Daena Kealy (St. Abban’s A.C.) in High Jump, and Una Brice (Leevale A.C.) came out triumphant in the Pole Vault.
For throwing events, Michaela Walsh (Swinford A.C.) threw a new 2023 Irish lead of 15.50m to win the Women’s Shot Put, while Katie Moynihan (Leevale A.C.) won her javelin competition.
Athletics Ireland competitions continue over this month into August with the National 10 Mile on July 23, the 123.ie National Senior Track & Field Championships on July 29 and 30, and then the National Half Marathon on August 26.
