The 154th edition of the 123.ie National Senior Track and Field Championships will bring many of Ireland’s leading athletes to Morton Stadium this weekend for two days of competition carrying national titles, ranking points and places at the European Championships.

The championships take place on Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th, just over two weeks before the European Athletics Championships begin in Birmingham on August 10th. That proximity gives the national showpiece added significance for athletes still seeking qualification or attempting to strengthen their selection case.

The weekend represents the principal domestic showcase for a sport enjoying an unprecedented level of international competitiveness, as well as a great spotlight event for 123.ie

Both days will be streamed through the Athletics Ireland YouTube channel, with RTÉ also broadcasting coverage from Morton Stadium from 6 pm on Sunday.

English and McPhillips Headline 800m

The potential meeting of Mark English of Finn Valley AC and Cian McPhillips of UCD AC in the men’s 800m is arguably the most eagerly anticipated contest on the programme.

English arrives in outstanding form after running a personal best of 1:42.97 at the London Diamond League last weekend. He is also defending the title he won for a tenth time at Morton Stadium in 2025.

McPhillips produced one of the performances of the 2025 World Championships when he finished fourth in Tokyo in an Irish record of 1:42.15. A championship encounter between Ireland’s two fastest 800m runners would provide a fitting centrepiece to Sunday’s programme, although both must first negotiate Saturday’s heats.

Cathal Doyle of Clonliffe Harriers will attempt to secure a fifth consecutive outdoor 1500m title. His path to another championship will include challenges from World Championship finalist Andrew Coscoran of Star of the Sea AC and Nick Griggs of CNDR Track Club.

The women’s middle-distance programme could be equally competitive. Sarah Healy and Sophie O’Sullivan hold entries in both the 800m and 1500m, although final event selections may not become clear until closer to competition.

Adeleke Among Sprint Entries

The women’s sprint programme offers the prospect of another rare domestic appearance from Rhasidat Adeleke.

The Tallaght AC athlete is entered in the 200m as she continues her pursuit of European qualification over the distance. Sharlene Mawdsley of Newport AC holds entries in both the 200m and 400m, while Lauren Roy of Fast Twitch AC, pictured above, arrives with the fastest 200m time by an Irishwoman this season at 22.83 seconds.

Sarah Lavin will be seeking to extend one of the most dominant records in Irish championship athletics. The Emerald AC hurdler is chasing an 11th outdoor 100m hurdles title, having won her tenth crown in 12.92 seconds last year.

The men’s 100m could be one of the most open races of the weekend.

Defending champion Bori Akinola of UCD AC faces an increasingly deep generation of Irish sprinters, including Seán Aigboboh of Tallaght AC, also pictured above, Gabriel Kehinde of Nenagh Olympic AC and Max O’Reilly of Riverstick Kinsale AC.

Benjamin Richardson of Waterford AC will also make his senior national championship debut. Richardson arrives with the fastest Irish performances of the season over both 100m and 200m, having recorded times of 10.06 and 20.25 seconds respectively.

Tuthill Closing in on Hammer Record

Nicola Tuthill will headline the field events as she attempts to secure a fifth senior outdoor hammer title at just 22 years of age.

The UCD AC athlete has improved her personal best to 72.73 metres this season, moving within 48 centimetres of the Irish record of 73.21m set by Eileen O’Keeffe.

Her appearance will offer Irish spectators another opportunity to see one of the country’s leading Olympic athletes before she turns her attention to the European Championships.

Celebration of Ciara Mageean

One of the most significant moments of the weekend will take place during Sunday evening’s programme when Ciara Mageean returns to Morton Stadium as Guest of Honour.

Juvenile athletes representing clubs from across Ireland will join the European 1500m champion on the track for a special 150-metre run between the women’s and men’s 1500m finals, scheduled to begin from approximately 7.35 pm.

The celebration will recognise a career that included a European title, three Olympic selections and Irish records across the 800m, 1,000m, 1,500m and mile. It will also connect one of Ireland’s most accomplished athletes with the next generation inspired by her achievements.

 

 

 

 

 

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Image Credit: Athletics Ireland and Sportsfile.com, Shanna Clinton

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