Kate O'Connor stole the show with a 6.50m championship record while several athletes secured national titles and championships records in tense, tactical races
Topics covered
The second day of the 123.ie National Senior Indoor Championships at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena produced an abundance of headline moments and personal milestones. Foremost among them was Katherine (Kate) O’Connor, who launched a commanding opening attempt in the women’s long jump that not only marked a new championship record but also registered as a personal best and a move up the national all-time standings.
Beyond the long jump, the afternoon session featured tight finishes across middle- and long-distance events, powerful throws and vaulting displays that delivered new championship bests and reaffirmed the depth of Irish domestic athletics. The session was staged in front of a packed arena and broadcast live for the first time on Virgin Media 2, amplifying the drama for a wider audience.
The leap that changed the day
Kate O’Connor opened the women’s long jump with a mark of 6.50m, an attempt that served multiple purposes: it was a personal best, a new championship record, and it elevated her to third on the Irish all-time list.
The jump capped a strong weekend for O’Connor, who had already produced a personal best of 8.21 seconds in the 60m hurdles earlier in the championships.
Reflecting on the performance, O’Connor emphasised the importance of training consistency and competition composure, noting the benefit of securing a big mark on her first attempt. Her week highlighted the interplay between preparation and the ability to produce under pressure.
Races decided in the final metres
The track programme supplied several finishes that were won in the closing moments, demonstrating tactical acumen and sprint endurance across distances.
3,000m headlines
In the men’s 3000m final, Nick Griggs claimed his first senior indoor title, stopping the clock at 8:14.52 after a dramatic final lap duel with Darragh McElhinney (8:15.08). Griggs described the contest as effectively a race-off and welcomed the automatic qualification it secured for the World Indoors.
The women’s 3000m was equally thrilling as Louise Shanahan timed her surge perfectly to cross first in 9:22.47, adding the 3000m crown to her existing 800m indoor title. Zoe Toland (9:22.59) and Michelle Finn (9:23.03) completed a tightly bunched podium.
1500m and tactical finales
Both 1500m finals were tactical, rewarding athletes who executed late moves. Lucy Holmes captured the women’s title in 4:31.10, her first senior indoor crown, while Lughaidh Mallon produced one of the day’s most dramatic finishes in the men’s race, overtaking Luke McCann in the final strides to win in 3:43.45.
Sprint, middle-distance and field highlights
The shorter events and field competitions offered a mix of dominance and breakthrough moments across the programme.
Sharlene Mawdsley continued her grip on the women’s 400m with a composed run to her third consecutive title in 51.89, while Seán Doggett edged the men’s 400m in a tight finish, taking gold in 47.33. In the 60m sprints, Ciara Neville claimed the women’s title in 7.27 and Bori Akinola defended his men’s crown with a winning time of 6.60.
Field event headlines included Eric Favors launching a championship-best 19.57m in the men’s shot put, while Michaela Walsh added yet another indoor title to her collection. In the men’s pole vault, Michael Kent successfully retained his title with a best clearance of 4.50m.
Race walk and championship records
The walking events produced both longevity and milestone achievements. Kate Veale continued a remarkable streak by securing her tenth consecutive national indoor title in the women’s 3000m walk with a time of 13:50.48. Oisín Lane delivered a commanding performance to claim the men’s 5000m walk in 19:39.92.
Other championship records were registered amid the day’s results, and several athletes used the meet as a springboard for selection and preparation ahead of international competitions. The mix of personal bests, championship bests and tactical mastery made Day 2 a compact showcase of current Irish talent.
Summary of standout results
Key performances included: Kate O’Connor 6.50m (CR) in the women’s long jump; Nick Griggs 8:14.52 in the men’s 3000m; Louise Shanahan 9:22.47 in the women’s 3000m; Cillian Kirwan 1:47.68 (CR) in the men’s 800m; and Eric Favors 19.57m (CR) in the men’s shot put. These marks underline both individual progression and the competitive depth evident across events.
With performances like these, the championships showcased rising stars and established performers alike, offering clear momentum for Irish athletes advancing toward international assignments.
