Thomas Barr and Mark English made their seasonal debuts on the first day of action at the GloHealth National Senior Track and Field Championships in Santry on Saturday, while Brandon Hargreaves arguably provided the day’s highlight by triumphing in the 10,000 metres.
Hargreaves (DSD) won a thrilling 10,000m from defending champion Mark Christie (Mullingar Harriers) in the final 50m in 29 minutes 45.01 seconds.
Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock), who will be competing in the marathon at Rio 2016, had to settle for third after getting outpaced in the closing stages.
Barr’s (Ferrybank) season has been delayed due to injury but he was pleased to win his heat of the 400m hurdles in 52.03 despite issues with his stride pattern.
Mark English has also been sidelined with injury and was content to win his 800m heat in 1:55.53.
Deirdre Byrne (Sli Cualann) soloed the women's 5,000m in 16:07.56, while Rory Chesser (EnnisTrack) won his sixth national 3,000m steeplechase title in 9:07.83.
Padraig White (Dunboyne) was the first winner of the day in the men's hammer with a best of 61.19m, while Clare Fitzgerald (Tralee Harriers) retained her discus title with a throw of 53.38m.
Saragh Buggy's (St Abban's) impressive season continued as she won the women's triple jump with a leap of 12.96m while Denis Finnegan won the men's triple jump with an effort of 14.80m.
Eanna Madden (Carrick on Shannon) and Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank) won the 200m titles with times of 21.37 and 23.94.
Anita Fitzgibbon White (DSD) and Rory Gunning (Clonliffe Harriers) were victorious in the javelin. White threw 47.89m, while Gunning had a winning mark of 61.15m.
Emma Prendiville (Farranfore Maine Valley AC) won the women's 5km walk in 25:15.57.
Rounding out the programme were the 4x100m relay finals, with Ferrybank winning the women's in 47.20 and Emerald taking the gold in the men's in 43.13.
