Cork athletes to the fore at the Irish National Championships 

Championship Records tumbled, new stars announced themselves on the senior stage and one of Ireland's greatest athletes received a fitting tribute as the 123.ie National Senior Track & Field Championships concluded in memorable fashion at Morton Stadium on Sunday.

Sophie O'Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh AC) and Benjamin Richardson (Waterford AC) both rewrote championship records with impressive victories, while Cian McPhillips (UCD AC) stamped his call on the men’s 800m for his first outdoor title.

Sophie O'Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh AC) produced one of the performances of the day to reclaim the women's 1500m title, storming to victory in a Championship Record of 4:05.62. 

In doing so, she eclipsed the previous mark of 4:07.09, set by her mother, Sonia O'Sullivan, in 1995. Laura Nicholson (Bandon AC) clocked 4:08.27 to claim silver, while Jodie McCann (Dublin City Harriers AC) completed the podium with bronze in 4:09.54.

"I'm excited for the European Championships," said O'Sullivan. 

"I'll get back to training over the next couple of weeks and hopefully do something special."

Darragh McElhinney (Bantry AC) produced a decisive surge over the closing stages to reclaim the men's 5,000m title, his first national outdoor crown in the event since 2020. 

The Bantry athlete clocked 13:31.71 after reeling in long-time leader Jack O'Leary (Mullingar Harriers AC) over the final 1,000 metres to take the Tom O’Riordan Memorial Cup. 

O'Leary held on bravely for silver in 13:35.54, while Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock AC) claimed the bronze medal in 13:45.29.

Niamh Allen (Leevale AC) successfully defended her women's 5,000m title in style, producing a personal best of 15:26.54 to retain her national crown. 

Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) went with her all the way, claiming silver in 15:30.34, while Danielle Donegan (Tullamore Harriers AC) completed the podium with brave bronze in 15:50.68.

Sam Healy (Leevale AC) regained the men’s long jump title with a winning leap of 7.61m, claiming his third senior outdoor crown and first since 2022 following a superbly competitive contest. 

Ryan Onoh (Cork City AC) pushed Healy all the way with a best of 7.57m to take silver, while Shane Howard (Bridevale AC) secured the bronze medal with 7.43m.

Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC) secured her fifth senior outdoor hammer title – and fourth in succession – with a best of 70.16m produced in the final round to cap another impressive display of consistency.

There were emotional scenes midway through the evening programme as more than 400 juvenile athletes from clubs across Ireland joined European champion Ciara Mageean for the special 'Run with Ciara' celebration. 

The tribute provided one of the most memorable moments of the weekend as the Irish athletics community came together to honour one of the country's greatest-ever athletes.