Ireland's finest took centre stage in Morton Stadium over the weekend as the first ever 123.ie National Track and Field Finals took place. The big winners were Sarah Lavin (Emerald AC) and Brand Ambassador Israel Olatunde (UCD AC) who added the stardom to the stadium.
Lavin remarkably set three personal best performances on her way to today’s 100m gold, made all the more remarkable having claimed the 100m hurdles title on Saturday to make it her 13th National Title!
Israel Olatunde was pitched as one of the star names of this year’s championships and the recent European U23 finalist delivered to claim his third national senior 100m title in a row (10.50).
An intriguing rematch between European U23 medallists Sophie O’Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh AC) and Sarah Healy (UCD AC) was billed as the race of the day, and it didn’t disappoint with Healy and O’Sullivan going toe-to-toe from the start that had the crown on their feet coming into the final lap.
Ultimately it was Sarah who mustered a final surge to break free of O’Sullivan in a hugely tactical affair to claim victory.
Brand Ambassador Reece Ademola secured his first National Senior Title in the Men's long jump with a PB of 7.96! The Leevale star had an impressive performance, and the future is promising! Heptathele Kate O'Connor took part in two events over the weekend and secured podium position in the Women's long jump and 110M hurdles finishing behind Sarah Lavin. Kate is now preparing for World Championships in Budapest later next month.
Among the impressive performances over the weekend included Nicola Tuthill in the women's hammer, Brain Fay in the men's 5000m and Eric Favours in the Men's shot putt who managed to make a championship record of 19.91m
123.ie proudly supporting Athletics Ireland, always giving better a try!
