Day 1 of the 123.ie national senior track and field championships drew a bumper crowd to Morton Stadium, one of the biggest ever seen on the Saturday. It proved to be a very successful day for Clonliffe athletes with National titles for Grace Casey and Marcus Lawler.
Marcus negotiated safe passage to the final as he won his heat in 21.03 and in the final was majestic being well clear as the band straightened out powering onto win in a time of 20.66, well clear of the pack. Marcus regained the national 200 title which he last held in 2020, today was his 3rd national 200 outdoor title. This was remarkably Marcus’ 10th national title, 4 outdoor and 6 indoor.
(Lawler regains National 200, photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile)
Grace Casey regained her national javelin title, last held in 2023, her 3rd national title with a best throw today of 44.88. Mia Primke took a fine 5th place with a best of 37.04.
In the men’s javelin Hubert Adamczyk was 5th (51.17) with Euan Canniff 8th (45.14).
Hannah Segrave qualified for tomorrow’s 800 final, winning her heat in 2.08.15. In the 1500 Doireann Hughes waa 12th in her heat in 4.56.79.
There was of course great Clonliffe interest in the men’s 1500 heats where defending champion Cathal Doyle comfortably qualified for tomorrow’s final finishing 4th (3.49.06), remarkably all 3 Clonliffe athletes were drawn in this particular heat, Fintan Kerins was 5th, unfortunately not qualifying for tomorrow’s final, however he ran a 2 second PB of 3.50.56. Lorcan Benjacar was 7th (3.58.17). In the men’s 800 Sean Carrigg was run out in the heats finishing 9th in 1.57.70.
Day 2 tomorrow will be brilliant! An absolutely cracking men’s 1500 final: Doyle, Coscoran, Griggs, McElhinney, etc, the Morton mile, Act II. Get yourself the Morton Stadium!