The 123.ie National Senior Championships delivered thrilling competition across track, field, and distance events with national titles, personal bests, and emotional comebacks lighting up Morton Stadium.
• Mark English captured his 10th men’s 800m title in commanding fashion sprinting away on the home straight to win in 1:48.76, sealing his legacy over 14 years at the pinnacle of Irish middle-distance running.
• In the women’s 800m, Alex O’Neill staged a tactical masterclass, front‑running from 600m and holding off Sarah Healy’s late surge to win in 2:04.53.
• Ciara Neville crossed the line in 11.44 to claim her first senior women’s 100m title since 2019 capping a remarkable return from a serious hamstring injury.
• Sarah Lavin notched her 10th national 100m hurdles crown with a slick 12.92 run, adding more silverware to her decorated career.
• Cathal Doyle triumphed in a tense men’s 1500m, outkicking Andrew Coscoran and Nick Griggs to gold in 3:53.60, with Coscoran (silver) and Griggs (bronze) just 0.24 seconds apart.
• Andrew Coscoran earlier claimed the men’s 5000m title in 13:34.14, showcasing his range and endurance across distances.
• Rising star Bori Akinola sprinted to his first senior 100m national title in 10.29 (−0.5 m/s), while Israel Olatunde withdrew after a niggle despite strong form.
• Sophie Becker (women’s 400m, 52.87) and Jack Raftery (men’s 400m, 45.71) dominated their respective races, completing a golden double for Dublin Sprint Club.
• Nicola Tuthill, Ireland’s U‑23 hammer sensation, threw 71.75 m, smashing her own national U‑23 mark.
• Reece Ademola impressed with a near-PB 8.00m long jump — unfortunate tailwind (+2.6 m/s) invalidated the mark as a record, but his recovery from knee surgery makes it hugely encouraging.
• Sharlene Mawdsley powered to victory in the women’s 200m with 23.55 (−2.6 m/s), edging out rivals Sarah Lavin and Lauren Roy in a tight finish.
• On the men’s side, Marcus Lawler stormed the 200m in 20.66 to claim gold under challenging wind conditions.
The championships offered an electric mix of elite experience and emerging stars. From Mark English’s dominance to youth breakthroughs like Akinola and Tuthill, the event beautifully captured Ireland’s depth across disciplines. Backed by passionate crowds and tight competition, it was a showcase of national pride and athletic excellence.
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