Ireland’s elite athletes will compete alongside over 500 of Ireland’s top athletes at the Woodie’s DIY Track and Field Championships of Ireland, this weekend in Morton Stadium, Santry. These championships will act a trial for the 12th IAAF World Track and Field Championships which take place in Berlin from the 15th to the 23rd of July. Over 22 Irish athletes have achieved both the A and B qualifying standard.David Gillick of Dundrum South Dublin AC will compete in the 200m. Gillick has been in electric form of late smashing the Irish 400m record with a lightening 44.77 seconds performance in Madrid on July 4th. Gillick said “I am looking forward to competing at the championships and it will be a good way to sharpen up my speed as I begin to fine tune in preparation for the Worlds”
Olympic 200m semi-finalist Paul Hession of Athenry AC will defend his 100m title. Hession finished third in the London Grand Prix last Saturday in 20.40 seconds just one tenth off the Irish Record he set at the championships back in 2007. Hession will compete in Stockholm Grand Prix tonight.
Derval O’Rourke (Leevale AC) will be looking for her eighth title in the 100m Hurdles at the Championships. This will equal the titles won by Waterford’s Susan Smith Walsh. O’Rourke has recovered well from a slight groin strain suffered at the European team Championships and will be looking to go sub 13 seconds again following her 12.90 run in Loughborough on Wednesday. O’Rourke will compete in Stockholm Grand Prix tonight.
Eileen O’Keeffe of Kilkenny City Harriers, who has the A standard, will be looking for her ninth National title when she enters the hammer circle on Saturday. O’Keeffe said “I always enjoy the Nationals Championships and cherish every title that I have won over the years”.
The Men’s 800m will be one of the highlights of the championships with both Thomas Chamney and David Campbell having B standards for the Worlds. The winner of this race will be put forward for selection for the World Championships in Berlin. They have had some absorbing battles over the 800 meters at previous Senior Track and Field championships. Chamney came within one hundredth of the qualifying time at the Bislett Games in Olso on 3rd of July.
Roisin McGettigan of Sli Chulainn who has the A qualification standard for the 3000m steeplechase will compete in the 1500m against club mate Deirdre Byrne, who has the B standard. Also included in the line-up is in form Rose Anne Galligan (Newbridge AC), who placed sixth in the recent U23 European Championships and the sensational talented Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn) who had a record breaking run to win gold at the recent European Youth Olympics. McGettigan who has had a mixed season so far is looking to have strong performance and show that she is ready for Berlin.
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