Nicola Tuthill and Sophie O'Sullivan the local heroes at high-class Cork City Sports meet in glorious weather
Nicola Tuthill of Ireland competes in the Cork Airport Women's Hammer during the Cork City Sports at the MTU Athletics Stadium. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Nicola Tuthill produced the standout performance from the Irish contingent at the 72nd edition of the Cork City Sports in Bishopstown on Wednesday, the 22-year-old Kilbrittain thrower finishing second behind Olympic and world champion Camryn Rogers of Canada in the women’s hammer.
Tuthill showed impressive consistency, throwing over 72 metres three times in her six efforts, her best effort of 72.35m coming in round three. Rogers unsurprisingly proved a class apart, the three-time global champion launching a meeting record of 76.16m to seal victory in round two.
“It was really good, a very consistent performance,” said Tuthill, who reached the world final in Tokyo last year and won medals at the World University Games and European U23 Championships. “Having Camryn here, throwing 76, is pretty unbelievable, and to compete in front of the home crowd is very special.”
Tuthill said she is “always looking for a bit more, every athlete is the same,” but she hopes to improve her personal best of 72.73m in the coming weeks after a memorable evening in front of her home crowd. “I’ve so many memories of Cork City Sports so to have them all cheer for me when I came in is so special.”
She said she would “love” to surpass Eileen O’Keeffe’s Irish record of 73.21m, which has stood since 2007.
Rogers was pleased with her victory and she will be back in action at Friday’s Morton Games in Dublin.
“It’s my first time ever in Ireland, I wanted to come here for so long,” she said. “It was very special and I’m super happy with today. I’m off to Morton next – I’m so hyped.”
Irish record holder Seán Aigboboh came up narrowly short of an Irish victory in the men’s 200m, the Tallaght sprinter – a student at the University of Houston – finishing second in 20.63 (1.4m/s) behind Britain’s Ebuka Nwokeji (20.56), with Ian Kerr of the Bahamas third in 21.09.
Two-time Olympian Sophie Becker came home second in the women’s 200m, clocking 23.67 (1.6m/s) behind Aleeya Sibbons of Britain who ran 23.33. “It’s going in the right direction,” said Becker. “I went back into training in June and am emerging back out of that, so I’m happy with it.”
There was a convincing win in the men’s mile by USA’s Reuben Reina, who led the first five men under four minutes, clocking 3:54.08. British duo Ted Higgins and Adam Fogg were next best with Liam Lyons of Ireland fourth in 3:57.19.
Cathal Doyle dropped down to 800m but the Dubliner didn’t quite have the gears to go with USA’s Sean Dolan, who powered to victory in 1:45.76, with Doyle coming home fourth in 1:47.62.
The women’s 800m produced a fine duel as Croatia’s Nina Vukovic edged victory in 2:00.41 ahead of Britain’s Grace vans Agnew (2:00.93), with Ireland’s Sophie O’Sullivan bouncing back to form with a third-placed finish in 2:01.33. Galway’s Emma Moore was close behind in fourth in 2:01.68 ahead of Bandon’s Laura Nicholson (2:01.70).
There was drama in the women’s 3000m as USA’s Taylor Werner fell across the line, having been forced to settle for second behind Dutch athlete Aina Maatoug who clocked 8:45.72. Bandon’s Fiona Everard smashed her personal best to finish sixth in 8:51.72.
Bori Akinola came up short of victory in the men’s 100m, the national champion finishing second in 10.36 (-1.0m/s) behind Slovenia’s Anej Prapotnik (10.24). Ciara Neville was the leading Irish performer in the women’s 100m, finishing fourth in 11.64 (-0.6 m/s), a race won by Britain’s Joy Eze in 11.44.
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