Irish athletes qualify for World Indoor Championships...

The Athletics Ireland Open Games were held at the new indoor track in Athlone over the weekend with two Irish athletes qualifying for the World Indoor Championships in Poland in early March.

In the mens 800m, Mark English (UCD AC) set a new Irish Men’s Senior Indoor Record of 1:46.82. The previous record of 1:47.21 which was held by Daniel Caulfield has stood for 13 years. This time was also inside the qualification time of 1:47.00 for the World Indoors. Mark who is just 20 years old also set a new U23 Irish Indoor record in the process.

Mark English #239 on the way to setting a new Irish indoor record...Pic : Kieran Carlin of Finn Valley AC

800 metre Sen Men International
1 KUPERS Thijem        Holland        1:46.78   
2 ENGLISH Mark        U.C.D. A.C.        1:46.82   
3 RODRIGUEZ Alex        Spain        1:48.05   

In a post race interview, Mark English said....“I had it in the back of my head that I wanted to run the World Indoor standard, I obviously got an Irish Record along with that, so that was a huge bonus to get that too. I’m coming away from here with a lot learnt and I’m very happy with that performance.”

Coach Chris Jones with David McCarthy

In the 1500m, David McCarthy of West Waterford AC finished in a time of 3:39.14, inside the World Indoor Standard of 3:41.00. He has already ran the qualifying time for the 3000m.

1500 meter Sen Men International
1 HOUOLUSA Jakub        CZE        3:38.79   
2 David McCarthy        West Waterford    Sen    3:39.14   
3 COGHLAN John        Metro/St. Brigid's A.C.        3:43.31   

Speaking after the race he said: “It was good. I ran in Vienna on Wednesday night and I ran 3:42 and it felt so tough and rough because the race was so crowded I was being pushed all over the place – all my energy was taking up trying to stay on my feet. The target for today was just to run fast and keep my energy for racing”

Some of the Cork results...

60 metre Sen Women
1 FOSTER Amy        City of Lisburn AC        7.40  
2 HEALY Phil        Bandon A.C.        7.43    
3 MCMANUS Catherine        Celtic DCH A.C.        7.59  
4 NIAMH Whelan        Ferrybank A.C.        7.62  
5 HEALY Joan        Bandon A.C.        7.65

800 metre Sen Women
1 FURLONG Brona        Slaney Olympic A.C.        2:13.60   
2 RAFTER Eileen        Tullamore Harriers A.C.        2:16.06   
3 O'SHEA Rachael        West Muskerry A.C.        2:16.11   

60m Hurdles 0,84m Sen Women
1 MCMANUS Catherine        Celtic DCH A.C.        8.64   
2   DUBO Orlane        Galway City Harriers A.C.        9.73   
3   HOWARD Roisin        Bandon A.C.        9.95   

Shot Put 4,000kg Sen Women
Pos    ID    Name    PB    Team    Cat    Result    Rank    1    2    3    4    5    6
MESLOH Sarah        Ballon Rathoe A.C.        13.00    1    13.00    12.68    12.70     X           
DALY Shauna        St. Abbans A.C.        10.50    2    10.06    10.02    10.50    10.29           
HOWARD Roisin        Bandon A.C.        10.33    3    9.69    10.33    9.82     X           
   
Long Jump Sen Men
Name    PB    Team    Cat    Result    Rank    1    2    3    4    5    6
MCMULLEN Adam        Crusaders A.C.        7.28    1    7.15    6.91    7.28    7.21           
GUILLON Benjamin    Leevale A.C.        7.09    2    7.04     X     X    7.09           
FAHEY Eamonn        Donore Harriers        6.76    3     X    6.56    6.73    6.76  

Full results HERE