News

Ireland’s brightest young athletes lit up a blustery Tullamore today at the 123.ie National U20 and U23 Championships, with a host records falling as the country’s rising stars staked their claim ahead of upcoming international championships (July 5^th).

Precious Akpe-Moses (Blackrock AC) stole the sprint spotlight with a dominant double in the U20 100m and a championship record (CR) of 23.66 in the 200m. Sean Doggett (Athenry AC) was the standout performer in a stacked men’s 400m final with the Athenry athlete securing gold in 47.08. Nick Griggs (CNDR Track Club) made a triumphant return to national championship action to win the U23 800m (1:52.46), while Eimear Maher (DSD) set a CR in the U23 1500m (4:22.80).

The walkers were also in record breaking form with Aisling Lane (Mullingar Harriers) clocking 13:54.98 in the U23 3000m walk, while Matthew Newell (Tuam AC) stormed his way to gold in the U20 5000m walk in 20:43.96 NU20R.

In the field, Thomas Williams (Shercock AC) continued his hammer dominance with a 65.30m throw to take the U20 title, while Anna Gavigan (LSA AC) continued to impress, throwing a new U23 championship record of 54.20m in the discus.

Impressing over the jumps were Aoife O’Sullivan (Liscarroll AC) who soared to a CR of 1.81m in the U23 high jump, while Conor Penney (Craughwell AC) added to his medal collection with a best leap of 2.08m picking up gold in the U20 high jump competition.

U23 Championship Highlights

Sprints

• Sean Aigboboh (Tallaght AC) won the 100m in 10.85.
• Emmanuel Akinrolie (Titans AC) took the 200m in 21.50.
• Callum Baird (Ballymena & Antrim AC) claimed the 400m title in 47.36.
• Lucy-May Sleeman (Leevale AC) and Aisling Kelly (UCD AC) went 1-2 in the women’s 100m, with Sleeman clocking 11.68.

Middle & Long Distance

• Nick Griggs (CNDR Track Club) returned with a win in the 800m (1:52.46).
• Cathal O’Reilly (Kilkenny City Harriers) and Eimear Maher (DSD) took the 1500m titles, with Maher setting a CR of 4:22.80.
• Diarmuid Fagan (Mullingar Harriers) and Roise Roberts (CNDR) won the 5000m events.

Steeplechase & Walks

• Alexandra Joyce (Tuam AC) won the women’s 3000m steeplechase in 10:21.89.
• Aisling Lane (Mullingar Harriers) set a CR in the 3000m walk (13:54.98).

Field Events

• Aoife O’Sullivan (Liscarroll AC) soared to 1.81m in the high jump, setting a new CR.
• Michael Alajiki (Dundealgan AC) won the triple jump with 14.79m.
• Anna Gavigan (LSA AC) threw 54.20m in the discus to set a new CR.
• Jack Forde (St. Killian’s AC) claimed both the high jump (1.95m) and pole vault (4.00m).

U20 Championship Highlights

Sprints & Relays

• Jesse Osas (Ratoath AC) powered to gold in the U20 Men’s 100m in 10.51.
• Dubem Amah (Tallaght AC) claimed the 200m title in 21.49.
• Precious Akpe-Moses (Blackrock AC) completed a dominant sprint double, winning the 100m (11.64) and setting a new CR in the 200m (23.66).

Middle & Long Distance

• Sean Cronin (Clonliffe Harriers) took the 800m title in 1:56.82.
• Cormac Dixon (Tallaght AC) won the 1500m in 3:59.85.
• Emer McKee (Willowfield Harriers) led the women’s 5000m in 17:40.47.

Hurdles & Walks

• Ellis McHugh (Ferrybank AC) set a CR in the 400m hurdles with 1:00.33.
• Dearbhla Allen (St. Peter’s AC) broke the CR in the 3000m steeplechase (10:37.49).
• Matthew Newell (Tuam AC) set a NU20R in the 5000m walk (20:43.96).

Field Events

• Thomas Williams (Shercock AC) dominated the hammer with a 65.30m throw.
• Conor Penney (Craughwell AC) cleared 2.08m to win the high jump.
• Theo Hanlon (Suncroft AC) won the shot put with 17.31m.

Full list of results can be found HERE.