Sprinter Jason Smyth aims to become the fastest man in Ireland when he competes in the Woodie’s DIY National track and Field Championships at Santry this weekend.
Smyth’s time of 10.22 for 100m, set last May, puts him top of the rankings, but chasing him hard is a group of young sprinters led by Steven Colvert and Chris Russell, while youngsters Mark Kavanagh and Marcus Lawlor are improving all the time.
Among this group of young pretenders, Paul Hession, aged 28, is nearing grand old man status. Hession, having run 10.57 for 100m and 20.65 for 200m this season, remains the man they all have to beat.
With Irish record holder Ailish McSweeney injured, the women’s sprints are wide open. Leading the hunt for medals are Amy Foster, Kelly Proper, Claire Bergin and Joan Healy.
After David Gillick called time on his season, Brian Gregan was installed as favourite for the men’s 400m and after running 46.12 a few weeks ago in Ostrava could break the 46 second barrier. Hwover Gregan has decided to run the 200m, and favourite to take his first senior 400m title is 18-year-old Brian Murphy who ran 46.41 in Brussels last month.
The men’s 800m, with Thomas Chamney absent, could be the race of the weekend. David McCarthy, Paul Robinson and Darren McBrearty have all run under 1 minute 48 seconds this season, with Anthony Leighio not far behind. McBrearty, who is ill won’t be running.
Ciaran O Lionaird is another athlete to watch, after putting in solid performances over distances ranging from 1500m to 10,000m this season.
Across the board, young talent is coming through, a tribute to the hard work put in by Athletics Ireland.
For hurdlers, Derval O’Rourke is clearly an inspirational figure and Ben Reynolds continues to close on Peter Coghlan’s 110m hurdles record of 13.30 seconds, most recently running 13.75 in Belgium.
Over the 400m distance, 19-year-old Simon Barr’s sensational time of 50.74 puts him second on the all-time list behind Tom McGuirk. Under 52 seconds are Tim Crowe and Paul Byrne.
In the glamour middle distance races, Ciara Mageean’s form will be closely scrutinised. Last summer, Mageean ran 4 mins 9.51 secs when she took 1500m silver at the World Juniors. Her times this season are less impressive, amid persistent rumours of an Achilles tendon injury.
* Action at Santry on Saturday from 12 noon and on Sunday from 10.30am.
Early bird entry at €25 for the Boston Scientific Half Marathon on August 21 (11.0) in Clonmel close on Friday. Entry fee after that is €35. All participants get a t-shirt, medal and unique presentation bag. See www.clonmelac.com or call
Niall O’Sullivan 086-1660888.
* Entry for the National Lottery Frank Duffy 10-Mile in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Saturday August 20 also close on Friday. Reg www.dublinmarathon.ie.
THE LATE LARRY MCGUILL
Larry McGuill, who died earlier this week, was a big man in every sense who gave over 50 years to athletics, in particular to his beloved Dunleer AC. Larry is best known for the Ras an hEireann, founded in 1969. In 1998, the Ras celebrated its finest moment when 6,000 spectators watched Catherina McKiernan beat a top field in the women’s race. May he rest in peace.
DEADLINE: TONIGHT!
Online entry at €30 for Sunday’s Kildare Kilomarathon in Moone will close Friday midnight. Entry on the day is €35. This year’s race, over an improved route, means faster times are expected. Last year’s winning time was 1hr 31min 45 sec. Also scheduled is 10km race; entry €20 or €25 on day and children’s races. See www.kilomarathonireland.com.
RYAN SOARS TO NEW RECORD
DSD’s Deirdre Ryan set a new Irish women’s high jump record of 1.93m on her final jump at the Hochsprung meeting in Germany. This improved on her own record of 1.92m set in 2006. It is also the B qualification standard for the World Track and Field Championships in Daegu. Fourughi Kourosh of Star of Sea jumped 2.18m to finish fifth.
ENTER IMC/BMC MEET NOW
Entry is open for the men’s 800m, 1500m and 3,000m and women’s 800m and 1500m at the combined Irish Milers Club/British Milers Club meet to be held on Friday August 12 (7.0). Enter through irishmilersclub@gmail.com or see www.niathletics.org
COURSE RECORD FOR LEDWITH
Fr Murphy’s Andrew Ledwith won the Daingean 5km , in Co Offaly in a new course record time of 14 minutes 51 seconds. Tommy Evans of Gowran just pipped Galway veteran Gerry Ryan for second. Charlotte Banks of Donadea was first woman.
No comments yet.