Top Class Field Expected For First DSD Games

A top-class field is expected for the inaugural DSD Games, supported by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, which will take place this Sunday 18th June at DSD’s new world-class 400m track in Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin.

The event will play host to over 400 entries on the day, including some of Ireland’s best athletes, many of whom are seeking qualifying standards for the International Championships. There will also be a number of Para-athletes and Masters athletes competing.

DSD Games 18th June - already attracting some real quality athletes such as Joan Healy, Lucy Sleeman, Sarah Leahy and our own Mollie O'Reilly. Word must be out that DSD new track is FAST! Supported by @dlrcc pic.twitter.com/L1oVOVNZ3W

— Dundrum South Dublin AC (@DSDAC) May 23, 2023

The Women’s 100m contains some of Ireland’s fastest athletes including Sarah Leahy (Killarney Valley), Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank AC) and Lucy-May Sleeman (Leevale). Joan Healy was also expected to take part but has been called up to the Irish Team to contest the European Team Championship in Krakow, Poland.

Field Events are well represented with two of Ireland’s current best female High-Jumpers entered: Aoife O’Sullivan (Liscarroll AC) and Siun Quinn (Brothers Pearse). In addition, Ciara Sheehy (Emerald AC) is competing in the Shot Put and with 14.37m PB thrown a few weeks ago is edging ever closer to the European U23 qualifying standard of 14.50m. Up and coming Javelin thrower Ailbhe Gordon (Greystones & District) is also down to compete (PB 40.47m).

The Irish Womens Masters W50 team will also be looking to set a new 4x100m National Record.

In all, athletes from all four provinces of Ireland will be taking part on Sunday, with 24 different counties represented.

The DSD Games are a brand-new addition to the national athletics calendar and are hosted by Dundrum South Dublin AC (DSDAC), one of Ireland’s largest athletics clubs. The new event marks the opening of DSD AC’s new World Athletics certified 400m track and campus at Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin (near Marlay Park).

In 2013 DSD AC purchased an 18th-century protected property called St Thomas in Rathfarnham, along with surrounding land. Work on the site, with the support of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, began almost immediately and Phase 1 - a Mondo track, with 2km of hill trails on its outskirts, along with parking and other ancillary facilities - is now operational at DSD AC Multi Sport Campus, Tibradden Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, (Eircode D16 T6N2).

The Athletics Ireland licensed competition will feature a full programme of Sprint, Hurdles, Middle Distance and Field events, including five marquee events: 100m; 100m hurdles (women) / 110m hurdles (men); 1500m; Shot Put and Long Jump. Cash prizes will be offered for these events.

The DSD Games is a Category F World Athletics event, with athletes who compete gaining valuable ranking points towards qualification for the World Championships later this year and the Olympics.

Irish Olympic prospect Kate Doherty, who is also an ambassador for the DSD Games, will also be participating. Watch her feature on the her Sport Show to learn more about the talented hurdler: