The National Track & Field Championships took place this weekend at Morton Stadium in Santry, Co Dublin, with a number of Beijing-bound athletes in competition.
Eileen O’Keeffe secured her eighth Irish title in the hammer, with a world class throw of 72.75m, some distance ahead of Rachel Akers in second (54.8m) and Aoife Hickey in third (50.39m).
O’Keeffe went on to record a double victory, winning the discus event with a throw of 46.44m.
Derval O'Rourke clocked a good time of 13.04 when winning the title in the 110m hurdles, while Olive Loughnane was impressive in winning the 5k walk in a new personal best time of 21:07.28 – six full seconds quicker than her previous PB.
Mary McLoone claimed the triple jump crown with her 11.71m leap, while Olympian Fionnualla Britton eased to victory in the steeplechase, with a brave front-running effort.
Kelly Proper continued her imperious form in the women’s 200m, comfortably winning in 23.69, with Claire Brady in second place in 24.05 and junior Niamh Whelan third in 24.06.
Rosemary Daniels wrapped up the high jump title with her 1.75m effort, ahead of Pamela Hughes (1.70m), while Grainne Moggan and Claire Wilkinson tied for third on 1.65m and Zoe Brown won the women’s pole vault with her 3.85m clearance.
In the men’s events, Ireland's fastest man Paul Hession set a Championship record of 10.26 in the 100 metres in a facile win.
Robert Heffernan shattered his own national record for the 10k walk, which he set in 2002. Heffernan was a full 20 seconds faster than his previous best, coming home in a time of 32:27.57.
The men’s 10,000m race was won by Martin Fagan, also bound for Beijing, in a solid time of 29:16.53, while in breezy conditions, Darragh Graham won the 200m sprint in 21.38 from David Hynes and Derek Duff.
Rory Chesser led from start to finish in the steeplechase, holding off a strong challenge from Brian Farrell in the closing stages.
Sean Breathnach was always in front in the shot putt event with a best of 15.74m, well ahead of second placed junior Colin Quirke (14.06m), while Padraig White won the hammer with 56.69m.
Selected Results:
Women’s hammer: 1. Eileen O’Keeffe 72.75m; 2. Rachel Akers 54.80m; 3. Aoife Hickey 50.39m; 4. Katie O’Shea 45.77m; 5. Maggi Donnelly 44.46m; 6. Mary Sutherland 43.87m
Women’s 5k walk: 1. Olive Loughnane 21:07.28; 2. Laura Reynolds 25:14.90; 3. Donna Carolan 25:47.18; 4. Rachel Flynn 29:50.77; Georgina Tuohy DNF
Women’s 3,000m steeplechase: 1. Fionnualla Britton 9:51.93 2nd Stephanie O’Reilly 10:19.35; 3. Elizabeth Egan 11:38.50.
Women’s triple jump: 1. Mary McLoone 11.71m - 2. Mary Devlin 11.37m; 3. Hannah todd 11.24; 4.Linzi Herron 10.86m; 5. Jenny Reilly 10.77m
Women’s 200m: 1. Kelly Proper 23.69; 2. Claire Brady 24.05; 3. Niamh Whelan 24.06.
Women’s discus: 1. Eileen O’Keeffe 46.44; 2. Deirdre Murphy 39.42; 3. Sarah Bradfield 35.09m
Women’s high jump: 1. Rosemary Daniels 1.75m; 2. Pamela Hughes 1.70m; 3. Grainne Moggan and Claire Wilkinson (tied) 1.65m
Men’s 10k walk: 1. Robert Heffernan 32:27.57; 2. Jamie Costin 40:13.87; 3. David Kidd 44:17.72
Men’s 10,000m: 1. Martin Fagan 29:16.53; 2. Mark Kenneally 29:28.56; 3. Joe McAllister 30:22.21
Men’s 200m: 1. Darragh Graham 21.38; 2. David Hynes 21.47; 3. Derek Duff 21.53
Men’s shot putt: 1. Sean Breathnach 15.74m; 2. Colin Quirke 14.06m; 3. John Farrelly 12.48m
Men’s 3,000m steeplechase: 1. Rory Chesser 9:04.81; 2. Brian Farrell 9:04.88; 3. Mark Kirwan 9:12.04
Men’s hammer: Padraig White won the hammer with 56.69m. 2. Pavel Hazler 54.96m; 3.Gerard Kelly 49.12m
