McCann Claims First Senior Outdoor Title as NI Athletes Shine at National Championships

Rachel McCann (North Down AC) produced one of the standout performances of this weekend’s Championships as she claimed the women’s 400m title, overcoming pre-race favourite Sophie Becker in a thrilling final.

Sophie had built up a significant lead by the 200m mark, but McCann produced a superb finish down the home straight to close the gap and take the title. The victory marked Rachel’s first outdoor senior title, and she also achieved a personal best of 52.96, breaking the fifty-three second barrier for the first time.

There was further success in the final for McCann’s training partner Adam Courtney (Ballymena and Antrim AC), who has recently made the switch to the 400m hurdles. Adam finished third in a closely contested race won by Fintan Dewhirst, securing his first national senior medal.

Lauren Roy (Fast Twitch Athletics) also enjoyed a busy weekend, finishing second behind Rhasidat Adeleke in the women’s 200m before competing in the women’s 100m. Unfortunately, she was disqualified after false starting.

Griggs Battles to Bronze in Quality 1500m Final

The men’s 1500m final was one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the weekend, featuring a high-class field including Olympians Cathal Doyle and Andrew Coscoron, as well as European U23 cross country champion Nick Griggs (CNDR).

In a tactical race, it was Coscoron who claimed the title, with Griggs battling hard to secure the bronze medal. His CNDR teammate Callum Morgan finished just behind him in fourth place.

There was strong local interest in the women’s 1500m, with Zoe Toland (CNDR) finishing fifth, Niamh Carr (DCH) sixth and Cara Laverty (Finn Valley) eighth.

In the men’s steeplechase, Jack Dee (St Peters AC) secured second place, while Adam Kirk Smith (Derry City Track Club) made a welcome return to racing by finishing third.

Field Event Success Across the Championships

Athletes from across the region also impressed in the field events.

Carys Carlisle (Ballymena and Antrim) finished fifth in the women’s javelin, while Lagan Valley AC’s Jason Craig placed seventh in the men’s event.

Adrienne Gallon (Lifford and Strabane AC) narrowly missed out on a medal in the women’s hammer competition, finishing fourth with a throw of 54.58m. Aida Zukauskaite (Lagan Valley AC) finished fifth with a throw of 48.25m.

In the jumps, Isabella O’Dowd (Lagan Valley AC) finished fourth in the women’s high jump, while teammate Jude Glover placed eighth in the men’s event.

Abbie O’Neill (City of Lisburn AC) narrowly missed out on a medal in the women’s pole vault after finishing fourth on countback with a jump of 3.15m.

Harvey King (City of Lisburn AC) finished fifth in the men’s long jump with a leap of 6.86m, while Roger McMullan (North Down AC) placed sixth with 6.80m.

The Championships delivered a weekend of impressive performances, with athletes across track and field events producing strong results and several celebrating significant milestones on the national stage.