Ireland has enjoyed medal success at previous editions of the U18 Championships, most recently with Fintan Dewhirst taking silver in the 400m hurdles back in 2022. Other medallists have included Gina Akpe Moses (100m silver, 2016), Molly Scott (100mh bronze, 2016), Rhasidat Adeleke (200m gold, 2018), Sophie O’Sullivan (800m silver, 2018), and Sarah Healy (1500m gold and 800m gold, 2018).

This year’s team has strength in depth right across a range of track and field events with 15-year-old Conor Penny (Craughwell AC) and 16-year-old Thomas Williams (Shercock AC) heading to these championships as the top ranked athletes in their respective high jump (Penny) and hammer throw (Willaims) events.

There is no shortage of talent selected for the track events with Joe Burke (Templemore) in the 200m and Conor Kelly (Derry Track) in the 400m looking exciting.

Saoirse Fitzgerald of Lucan Harriers continues to impress and will benefit from more championship experience in the 800m, while Jennifer O’Leary (Nenagh Olympic) will join Emily Bolton (Donore Harriers) in a strong Irish representation in the 1500m. Clodagh Gill (Moy Valley) has continued to impress this season and will be another looking to chase down a top 10 in the 3000m.

Noah Harris (Parnell AC) has performed superbly this season, earning him selection in the 3000m and 2000m steeplechase, while Ethan Dewhirst (Tír Chonaill) will look to channel memories of brother Fintan’s success in the 400m hurdles when he takes to the track in Banska Bystrica.

Ireland has arguably never sent a stronger walks selection to a European Championships with Séamus Clarke (Moy Valley) and Matthew Newell (Tuam AC) both ranked inside the top six in the 5k race walk. Newall’s clubmate Savanagh O’Callaghan (Tuam) will lead the way for Ireland in the women’s 5k race walk, with the 16-year-old sure to revel on the big stage as she looks to gain more top-level racing experience following her prestigious win in the US earlier this season.

There is also a strong representation in the women’s high jump with the in-form Tara O’Connor (Dundalk St Gerard’s) and Siún Quinn (Brothers Pearse) set to take their respective places with realistic hopes of top 12 finishes.

Caoimhe Gallen (Lifford Strabane) will be eying a top 10 finish in the hammer, while Ratoath’s multi-event star Enya Silkena will be another looking for a bold showing in the heptathlon and javelin (500g) competitions. European Youth Olympics bronze medallist Cian Crampton (Edenderry AC) will have sights on a top 10 finish in the discus.

The post Ireland team named for European Athletics U18 Championships appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The City of Lisburn AC athlete, ranked ninth on her season’s best, ran a tactically superb race throughout to put herself right in contention for a medal at the bell in what was one of the best 1500m fields ever assembled for a championship final.

NATIONAL RECORD AND 4TH IN THE WORLD FOR CIARA MAGEEAN

An outstanding run from one of the stars of Irish sport Ciara left it all out there and did us proud once again A national record in a global final!!

3:56.61 NR@Ask123ie #IrishAthletics pic.twitter.com/KvMvPjXfOD

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 22, 2023

Ciara Mageean went with the leading athletes in the race defining move with 300m to go but unfortunately could not reel in the front three of hot favourite Faith Kipyegon from Kenya (3:54.87), Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji (3:55.69), and Sifan Hassan from The Netherlands (3:56.00).

Speaking after the race, the Portaferry runner said:

“To be honest, to be disappointed with 4^th is probably a good thing. I came in with the aim of a medal because it’s the best I’ve ever felt coming into a championships. To come away with 4^th is bittersweet but I’ve had the season of my life.”

"To come away with fourth is so bittersweet. I'll probably have a wee bit of a cry.

"But many years ago I wouldn't have dreamt of fourth in the world.

"I just know that I have it, it's there. Another year to Olympics."

– @ciaramageean. #TeamIreland #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/sO5fa1OLlD

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) August 22, 2023

The European silver medallist added:

“Many years ago I wouldn’t have dreamt of 4th at a global senior final and I’m standing her disappointed with 4th and a national record so I know I can do it. It’s another year to the Olympics, and I’m putting myself in with a fighting chance with the best 1500m athletes in the world”.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝟭𝟱𝟬𝟬𝗺 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹! @ciaramageean runs a brilliant 3:56.61 to claim fourth in the world and a new National Record!

Gold goes to the phenomenal Faith Kipyegon. #TeamIreland #WorldAthleticsChamps #Budapest2023 pic.twitter.com/fW2cDvcaOZ

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) August 22, 2023

“I ran the race perfectly and did the best I could so I’ll walk away with my head held high. The dream lives on and I’ve many races ahead of me next year and the year after”, said Mageean.

This evening’s excellent performance continues a remarkable period for the Irish record holder who achieved Commonwealth Games and European silver medals in the last 12 months.

The post Ciara Mageean 4th in World 1500m Final appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Event is live on Virgin TV 

The Irish squad is the largest ever selected for a World Athletics Championships and will compete alongside over 2,000 athletes from 200 countries at the new 35,000 capacity National Athletics Stadium in Budapest.

Leading the Irish challenge across the busy nine-day schedule will be European Championship medal winners Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn AC), Mark English (Finn Valley AC), Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) and Rhasidat Adeleke (Tallaght AC).

The Championships, which start on 19th August, will see Virgin Media present live coverage across all nine days.

Morning – Saturday August 19th 

• David Kenny – Men’s 20km Race Walk – Final – 07:50 (08:50)
• Eric Favors – Men’s Shot Put – Qualification – 09:30 (10:30)
• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon 100m Hurdles – Heats – 09:35 (10:35)
• Mixed 4x400m Relay – Round One – 10:05 (11:05)
• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon High Jump – 10:45 (11:45)
• Ciara Mageean – Women’s 1500m – Round One – 12:15 (13:15)
• Sarah Healy – Women’s 1500m – Round One – 12:15 (13:15)
• Sophie O’Sullivan – Women’s 1500m – Round One – 12:15 (13:15)

Evening – Saturday August 19th

• Andrew Coscoran – Men’s 1500m – Round One – 18:02 (19:02)
• Luke McCann – Men’s 1500m – Round One – 18:02 (19:02)
• Nick Griggs – Men’s 1500m – Round One – 18:02 (19:02)
• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon Shot Put – 18:05 (19:05)
• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon 200m – Heats – 19:30 (20:30)
• Men’s Shot Put – Final – 19:35 (20:35)
• Mixed 4x400m Relay – Final – 20:47 (21:47)

Morning – Sunday August 20th

• Rhasidat Adeleke – Women’s 400m – Round One – 08:35 (09:35)
• Sharlene Mawdsley – Women’s 400m – Round One – 08:35 (09:35)
• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon Long Jump – 08:50 (09:50)
• Christopher O’Donnell – Men’s 400m – 09:25 (10:25)
• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon Javelin – Group A – 11:00 (12:00)

OR

• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon Javelin – Group B – 12:05 (13:05)

Evening – Sunday August 20th

• Women’s 1500m – Semi-Final – 16:05 (17:05)
• Men’s 1500m – Semi-Final – 16:35 (17:35)
• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon 800m – 17:00 (18:00)

Evening – Monday August 21st

• Women’s 400m – Semi-Final – 20:10 (21:10)

Evening – Tuesday August 22nd

• Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles – Round One – 17:40 (18:40)
• Mark English – Men’s 800m – Round One – 18:20 (19:20)
• John Fitzsimons – Men’s 800m – Round One – 18:20 (19:20)
• Men’s 400m – Semi-Final – 20:00 (21:00)
• Women’s 1500m – Final – 20:30 (21:30)

Morning – Wednesday August 23rd

• Louise Shanahan – Women’s 800m – Round One – 09:05 (10:05)

Evening – Wednesday August 23rd

• Women’s 100m Hurdles – Semi-Final – 19:40 (20:40)
• Men’s 1500m – Final – 20:15 (21:15)
• Women’s 400m – Final – 20:35 (21:35) *

Morning – Thursday August 24th

• Brendan Boyce – Men’s 35km Race Walk – Final – 06:00 (07:00)

Evening – Thursday August 24th

• Brian Fay – Men’s 5000m – Round One – 18:00 (19:00)
• Men’s 800m – Semi-Final – 19:50 (20:50)
• Women’s 100m Hurdles – Final – 20:25 (21:25)
• Men’s 400m – Final – 20:35 (21:35)

Evening – Friday August 25th

• Women’s 800m – Semi-Final – 19:25 (20:25)

Evening – Saturday August 26th

• Women’s 4x400m Relay – Round One – 18:55 (19:55)
• Men’s 800m – Final – 19:30 (20:30)

Evening – Sunday August 27th

• Men’s 5000m – Final – 19:10 (20:10)
• Women’s 800m – Final – 19:45 (20:45)
• Women’s 4x400m Relay – Final – 20:47 (21:47)

Team selections as of 10.08.2023

The post Ireland Squad, Live TV & Schedule for World Athletics Championships in Budapest appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Irish national senior champion put in an outstanding round of jumps with her best leap of 6.56m (+1.4) smashing her own Irish U20 record of 6.44m which she posted just last month.

The result moved the newly crowned European champion to second on the Irish all-time list behind Kelly Proper’s national record of 6.62m set in 2010.

Reacting to her historic achievement of becoming Ireland’s first ever field event champion at European U20 level, Ndudi said:

“I’m in shock, I’m amazed how well the event went for me. I was confident in myself coming in here but it’s a huge improvement and to do it in such a high competition makes the national record so special.”

The Dundrum South Dublin athlete continued:

“I really focused on my mental preparations as well as the physical side coming in here. I made sure to really get in the zone in the morning and evening before sessions. Last year I was a bit nervous and I think that’s why I didn’t post a big jump but today I came in here full of confidence, so I was mentally prepared.”

Bulgaria’s Plamena Mitkova took bronze in a season’s best of 6.54m, with German Laura Raquel Muller completing the podium with her bronze medal in a season’s best of 6.51m.

The post European U20 gold medal for Elizabeth Ndudi appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Griggs clocked 8:45.69 in a brave defence of the 3,000m title he won two years ago.

The Tyrone native took the bell well positioned before unleashing a run for home with 300m to go. Swede Jonathan Grahn was the only athlete to stay on Griggs’ and both athletes rounded the final bend side by side. The Swede managed to pass the defending champion in the final 80 metres to cross in a winning time of 8:44.67. Briton Bradley Giblin claimed the bronze medal in 8:47.26.

Speaking after his silver medal win, Griggs said:

“This was driving me all season, to come here and defend my title, so I’m disappointed. I’ll take some time to reflect, and I’ll head to Budapest in ten days which I’m really excited about. I’ll go out there and give it a go, there’s no pressure on me so I can just go out and see what happens”. 

Grigg will represent Ireland at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest over 1500m.

The post Nick Grigg wins European U20 Championships silver medal appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

In the qualifiers last Thursday, Edenderry’s Crampton threw a personal best on his first throw, achieving automatic qualification for the final.

His first throw in Saturday’s final was another personal best of 58.32m. This placed him in second place in the opening round of six throws. Over the following rounds, the Hungarian, Zsombor Dobo pushed him to third, and with two throws to go, Crampton dropped to fourth place, following a huge performance from David Jarolimek (CZE).

On his fifth throw, the Irish thrower moved back into the medal positions, throwing a metre further than his previous best, with 59.32m.

His final effort was disqualified, but he had done enough to secure the bronze medal, with France’s Samuel Conjungo-Taumhas taking gold.

Crampton said of the competition:

“I knew I had to go for it if I wanted anything, and I did, and I got the result I wanted. The last one that hit the cage I knew it would have gone out further, I could feel it, but it’s in the cage now anyway.”

Discussing his medal success, the second Ireland won at this edition of the EYOF, the Offaly native admitted:

“I’m ecstatic, to say the least. I knew I could do it all along, but going out and doing it is the hardest thing. I have seen in training that I can do those numbers and being able to do it in a competition is something else. To be able to do it for the whole Irish team and everyone else is just amazing.”

“I knew I had to do something to get it. I told my mother a few weeks ago that I would get a medal for her, and now I have, and I’ve made her very proud I think.”

Since 1991 Team Ireland has won 72 medals at the EYOF.

The next edition of the EYOF will be in Skopje, North Macedonia, in the summer of 2025.

The post Cian Crampton wins discus bronze at European Youth Olympics appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The 2023 European Games bronze medallist showed all her class to take her 8th outdoor 100m hurdles title in a time of 13.13 seconds.

Lavin was followed across the line by Kate O’Connor (Dundalk St. Gerards AC) in 14.14, and Lilly-Ann O’Hora (Dooneen AC) who took bronze in 14.29.

Titles for Ezeonu and Smyth

The men’s 110m hurdles saw a new name make his mark on the event with James Ezeonu (Leevale AC) coming out on top in a stride for stride finish with Gerard O’Donnell (Carrick-on—Shannon AC). The Leevale athlete made a winning dip for the line to cross in 14.28 ahead of O’Donnell in 14.29.

Mark Smyth (Raheny Shamrock AC) retained his 200m title in 20.87 performance. The Irish indoor 200m record holder stretched away from Colin Doyle (Leevale) who backed up his recent European U23 performances to claim silver in 21.17. Andrew Egan (Galway City Harriers AC) picked up the bronze in 21.51.

Wins for Bergin, Finn and Tuthill

Moyne AC’s Katie Bergin continued her excellent season in the women’s final, following up her recent U23 gold in the 100m to claim the senior 200m crown in 24.60. Bergin was chased home by Laura Nally (Galway City Harriers AC) 25.18 and Janine Boyle (Finn Valley AC) 25.21.

The women’s 3000m steeplechase saw Michelle Finn secure her 9^th national steeplechase title in a solo run. The Leevale athlete won in 10.00.14.

The women’s hammer saw UCD’s Nicola Tuthill produce another brilliant performance, claiming gold with a best throw of 67.67m which was just 18 centimetres off her own Irish U23 record. Margaret Hayden (Tallaght AC) 61.63m and Adrienne Gallen (Lifford Strabane AC) 56.05m joined Tuthill on today’s podium.

More winners

Seán Mockler (Moycarkey Coolcroo AC) won the men’s hammer throw with a best of 64.49m.

National record holder Eric Favors (Raheny Shamrock, regained the shot put title he won in 2019 in style, posting a championship record of 19.19m.

Saragh Buggy’s 8^th straight outdoor triple jump title continued a remarkable year-on-year consistency of performance from the St Abban’s athlete, adding to her medal haul with her best and final jump of 13.03m.

In the women’s high jump, Sommer Lecky of Finn Valley claimed the gold medal with a best clearance of 1.80m. David Cussen (Old Abbey AC) won the men’s title with a jump of 2.15m.

The 4x100m relays saw Dundrum South Dublin AC claim gold in the women’s race (50.65), with Tallaght AC successful in the men’s in a time of 41.81.

The post 13th National title for Sarah Lavin appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The selections include 18 individual competitors along with men’s 4x100m and men’s and women’s 4x400m squads.

The squad includes Nick Griggs, reigning European U20 Champion over 3000m, who is selected in both 1500m and 3000m.

Elizabeth Ndudi goes into the championships as Ireland’s top ranked female athlete having recently bettered her own U20 Long Jump record with a 6.44 leap in Mannheim.

Name	Club	Coach	Event(s)
Anna Gavigan	Lambay Sports & Athletics	Enda Gavigan	Discus
Ava Rochford	Nenagh Olympic AC	Martin O’Grady	High Jump
Avril Millerick	Youghal AC	Noel Curtin	5000m
Elizabeth Ndudi	DSD AC	Julien Guilard	Long Jump
Louise O’Mahony	BMOH AC	Donnacha O’Mahony	5000m
Lucy-May Sleeman	Leevale AC	John Corr	100m, 200m
Maeve O’Neill	Doheny AC	Tony O’Neill	800m
Niamh Murray	Bray Runners	Aine Murray & Joe Ryan	400m, 4x400m
Victoria Amiadamen	Dooneen AC	PJ O’Rourke	400mh, 4x400m
Kate O’Connell	Lucan Harriers	Jeremy Lyons	4x400m
Hannah Murray	Finn Valley	Rosemary Finn	4x400m
Renee Crotty	Annalee AC	Damian Lalor	4x400m
Eve Noctor	Lucan Harriers	Niamh Fitzgerald	4x400m
Daisy Walker	Monaghan Phoenix	Brian Peppard & Damien Barry	4x400m Non-travelling Reserve
Adam Nolan	SLOT AC	Billy Delaney	110mh
Fintan Dewhirst	Tir Chonaill AC	Brian McGonagle	400mh
Jack Fenlon	St. Abban’s AC	Eamonn Kelly	3000m
Jonas Stafford	Ashford AC	Feidhlim Kelly	5000m
Lughaidh Mallon	Lagan Valley	Jim McKeown	1500m
Neil Culhane	Ace AC	Liam Cooney	800m
Niall Murphy	Ennis Track Club	Pat Hogan	3000m
Nick Griggs	Candour Track Club	Mark Kirk	1500m, 3000m
Oisín Joyce	Lake District AC	Padraic Joyce	Javelin
Seán Aigboboh	Tallaght AC	Daniel Kilgallon	4x100m
Nkemjika Onwumereh	Metro St. Brigid’s AC	Daniel Kilgallon	4x100m
Dannan Long	Enniscorthy AC	Chris St.-Claire Johnson	4x100m
Darragh Murphy	Limerick AC	Gwynne Ryan	4x100m
Max O’Reilly	Kinsale AC	Dave Keating	4x100m
Killian Curran	Blackrock AC	Mark Cafferky	4x100m Non-travelling Reserve
David Bosch	DSD AC	Ruaidhrí Kedney	4x400m
Joe Doody	Cabinteely AC	Brian Doody	4x400m
David Mannion	South Galway AC	Jim Phelan	4x400m
Stephen Mannion	South Galway AC	Jim Phelan	4x400m
Daragh Masterson	Ratoath AC	Peter Doherty	4x400m
Seán Doggett	Athenry AC	Stephen Doggett & Iain Shaw	4x400m Non-travelling Reserve

The post Ireland Team for European Athletics U20 Championship appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Top ultrarunner disqualified for using a car in race https://t.co/2qMdIWWiaQ

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) April 19, 2023

The 47-year-old from Dumfries, who finished third in the race, was found to have travelled 2.5 miles in a car after race tracking system data revealed that she covered a mile in just one minute and 40 seconds. It’s no wonder that race director Wayne Drinkwater was left “very disappointed” upon discovering this.

Having reviewed data from various sources, including statements from event officials, competitors, and even Zakrzewski herself, it has been confirmed that she did indeed use a vehicle during part of the race. The Trail Running Association and UK Athletics have been informed and will investigate the matter further.

This is certainly not the kind of news that one would expect from a runner of Zakrzewski’s caliber, who finished 14th in the 2014 Commonwealth Games marathon in Scotland and holds records in the UK over 100 and 200 miles. The third-place finisher Mel Sykes has now been awarded the rightful place on the podium.

According to a friend of Zakrzewski, Adrian Stott, she is “genuinely sorry” and was feeling unwell before and during the race. She had reportedly wanted to drop out of the race altogether. While she may have cooperated fully with the investigation and provided a full account of what happened, it is clear that the consequences of her actions will have far-reaching repercussions for her career.

The post Record holding Athlete used car to secure medal appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Raheny Shamrock’s Mark Smyth and Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) both starred in the sprint 200m finals. Smyth, who had impressed earlier in the heats, posted a championship record of 20.77 seconds to claim the 2023 indoor title.

Sharlene Mawdsley set a personal best in the morning’s heat (23.61 seconds) before improving on that time to clock a PB of 23.50 seconds in the final. This time moved the Newport AC athlete up one place to 6^th on the Irish all-time list indoors.

In the men’s 3000m, UCD’s Darragh McElhinney produced a sub-25-second final 200 metres to claim the men’s 3000m title in a championships record time of 7.49.18.

McElhinney sat in the slipstream of the eventual second place finisher Nick Griggs (Mid Ulster AC) for much of the race, with the pair stretching clear of the field over the opening laps. McElhinney claimed the title thanks to his final kick, as Griggs stayed on to take silver in 7.55.75.

Emerald AC’s star hurdler Sarah Lavin claimed the women’s 60m hurdles title in 8.03 seconds, while Matthew Behan (Crisaders AC) retained the men’s version in 8.10 seconds.

Olympian David Kenny (Farronfore Main Valley) posted 19.11.43 to win the men’s 5k walk, while Kate Veale (West Waterford AC) took the women’s 3k walk in an indoor PB of 14.40.46.

Mark English (1.52.88) and Nadia Power (2.13.28) safely negotiated the heats of Saturday’s 800 metres.

Phil Healy (Bandon AC) and Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock) set up a clash in Sunday’s  400m decider, with both safely advanced to the 400m final.

Jack Raftery (Donore Harriers) impressed in qualifying for the men’s 400m with a 48.02.

Field Events

There was a championship record of 13.25m for Saragh Buggy (St Abbans) in the triple jump as she went  close to Taneisha Scanlon’s national record of 13.28. It was the St Abbans athlete’s 20^th national title (indoor and outdoors).

The much-anticipated clash between Eric Favors (Raheny Shamrock) and John Kelly (Finn Valley) went right to the wire, with a 19.26m from Favors enough to claim the gold. Kelly settled for silver with a throw of 19.19m.

Ellie McCartney (City of Lisburn) claimed the women’s pole vault title with a best of 4.05m, while Sam Healy (Leevale) was best of the long jumpers with 7.36m.

Kourosh Foroughi (Star of the Sea A.C.) won a very competitive men’s high jump with a best of 1.95m from Cork’s Ben Donovan (1.90m).

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