Over 1,500 athletes to compete in TUS Athlone this weekend
The future stars of Irish athletics return to TUS Athlone this weekend for the concluding days of the 123.ie National Juvenile Indoor Championships (April 1 and 2).
Over 1500 athletes will take to national competition across the busy weekend schedule which will be streamed live on the Athletics Ireland Youtube channel from 10am each day.
STAR STUDDED SATURDAY: APRIL 1ST
The first finals on Saturday will get underway in the field events with the long jump, high jump, and shot put competitions set for a 10am start.
The girl’s U18 long jump competition should be an ultra-competitive event with Okwu Backari (Leevale AC), Leagh Moloney (Dooneen AC), and Lucy Fitzgerald (Tipperary Town AC) all sure to go well. Backari will also look to double up in the 60m hurdles on Sunday where she will be one of the leading favourites for gold.
Ava Rochford (Nenagh Olympic AC) looks set to take her place in the U19 high jump competition, while the Nenagh athlete will also have sights set on Sunday’s pole vault title.
The heats of the 400m and 1500m will get the track action up and running before the finals of the walks take centre stage from 11.45am.
Andrew Glennon (Mullingar Harriers) and Ciara Wilson Bowen (DSD AC) will go in pursuit of the U19 walks titles as they look to master the 1500m distance.
Some names to look out for during the morning/afternoon track session include Sean Cronin (Clonliffe Harriers) U18 1500m, Louie Woodger (Metro St Brigids) U19 1500m, Eleanor Foot (Bray Runners) U19 1500m, Victoria Amiadamen (Dooneen AC) U19 400m, and David Mannion (South Galway AC) U19 400m.
The afternoon’s field focus then turns to the triple jump and pole vault competitions. Joshua Fitzgerald (Leevale) will look to put on a show for those in attendance as he goes in search of gold in the U19 pole vault from 1.30pm.
Saturday will conclude with the sprint stars taking to the track for the 60m heats set for 2.30pm with the finals to follow.
The boys U18 competition is one not to be missed with a potential showdown between Jesse Osas (Ratoath AC) and Toby Thompson (Ballymena and Antrim AC) sure to provide some fireworks.
The ever impressive Max O’Reilly (Riverstick/Kinsale AC) will go in the U19 category before looking to double up in the 200m on Sunday.
SUPER SUNDAY: APRIL 2ND
Sunday will see the remaining long jump, high jump, and shot put categories take to the field from 10am, while track focus will be on the heats of the 200m and 600m/800m.
Evan Hallinan (Craughwell AC) is sure to go well in the U19 long jump following his 6.60m last month. The Craughwell athlete will also look to challenge the podium places in the high jump competition.
The 200m sprinters will lead out the track athletes on day 3, with Fatima Amusa (Leevale AC U18) and Katie Doherty (Ratoath U17) just two-of-many to keep a close eye on throughout the day.
The 600/800m heats will round out the morning’s action with Saoirse Fitzgerald (Lucan Harriers AC) 800m U17 and Jack Kelly (Tallaght AC) 800m u19 sure to be right there come the afternoon’s finals.
The finals of the 60m hurdles will conclude this year’s 123.ie National Juvenile Indoor Championships. The boys U19 60m hurdles race should be a compelling watch with Sean Carmody (Leevale AC) sure to be right in the mix if building on his superb 2022 season.
This is a ticket only event. Tickets are available here
The timetable is here
The live stream of the event can be watched here