The 2023 European Games bronze medallist showed all her class to take her 8th outdoor 100m hurdles title in a time of 13.13 seconds.

Lavin was followed across the line by Kate O’Connor (Dundalk St. Gerards AC) in 14.14, and Lilly-Ann O’Hora (Dooneen AC) who took bronze in 14.29.

Titles for Ezeonu and Smyth

The men’s 110m hurdles saw a new name make his mark on the event with James Ezeonu (Leevale AC) coming out on top in a stride for stride finish with Gerard O’Donnell (Carrick-on—Shannon AC). The Leevale athlete made a winning dip for the line to cross in 14.28 ahead of O’Donnell in 14.29.

Mark Smyth (Raheny Shamrock AC) retained his 200m title in 20.87 performance. The Irish indoor 200m record holder stretched away from Colin Doyle (Leevale) who backed up his recent European U23 performances to claim silver in 21.17. Andrew Egan (Galway City Harriers AC) picked up the bronze in 21.51.

Wins for Bergin, Finn and Tuthill

Moyne AC’s Katie Bergin continued her excellent season in the women’s final, following up her recent U23 gold in the 100m to claim the senior 200m crown in 24.60. Bergin was chased home by Laura Nally (Galway City Harriers AC) 25.18 and Janine Boyle (Finn Valley AC) 25.21.

The women’s 3000m steeplechase saw Michelle Finn secure her 9^th national steeplechase title in a solo run. The Leevale athlete won in 10.00.14.

The women’s hammer saw UCD’s Nicola Tuthill produce another brilliant performance, claiming gold with a best throw of 67.67m which was just 18 centimetres off her own Irish U23 record. Margaret Hayden (Tallaght AC) 61.63m and Adrienne Gallen (Lifford Strabane AC) 56.05m joined Tuthill on today’s podium.

More winners

Seán Mockler (Moycarkey Coolcroo AC) won the men’s hammer throw with a best of 64.49m.

National record holder Eric Favors (Raheny Shamrock, regained the shot put title he won in 2019 in style, posting a championship record of 19.19m.

Saragh Buggy’s 8^th straight outdoor triple jump title continued a remarkable year-on-year consistency of performance from the St Abban’s athlete, adding to her medal haul with her best and final jump of 13.03m.

In the women’s high jump, Sommer Lecky of Finn Valley claimed the gold medal with a best clearance of 1.80m. David Cussen (Old Abbey AC) won the men’s title with a jump of 2.15m.

The 4x100m relays saw Dundrum South Dublin AC claim gold in the women’s race (50.65), with Tallaght AC successful in the men’s in a time of 41.81.

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The announcement brings the total number of Team Ireland athletes competing across athletic events up to 25.

The number makes this year’s team Ireland’s second-biggest ever athletics team heading to the Games.

Athletics Performance Director and Team Manager for the Team Ireland Athletics Squad, Paul McNamara said: “The ‘end-game’ of the qualification period was excruciatingly difficult for many, but these athletes and their coaches expertly navigated the qualification system and have been rewarded with their place on the biggest stage.”

Today’s announcement includes athletes who both achieved qualification standards in their respective events, or who finished within their event’s Road To Tokyo rankings on the cut-off day last week.

The athletics events occur in the second week of the Games, running from Friday 30 July – Sunday 8 August, with the events taking place in both Sapporo Odori Park and the Olympic Stadium.

Thomas Barr will be heading to his second Olympics Games to compete in the Men’s 400m hurdles event.

The 28-year-old said: “I am very proud to be representing Ireland at my second Olympic Games. The men’s 400m hurdles is one of the most competitive events on the track at the moment and I can’t wait to line up and compete against the best on the biggest stage in the world.”

Barr was one of the athletes who had secured their qualification time in advance of the cut-off.

Others like 800m runner Mark English and 100m hurdler Sarah Lavin qualified late into the process, with English achieving qualification on the last day with a new national record in the event.

Team Ireland Full Athletics team named

2⃣5⃣ Athletes will compete across the athletics disciplines for #TeamIreland this summer in #Tokyo2020 #NothingInOurWay

Track & Field is one of the most anticipated events on the schedule, read more

https://t.co/F0XBZxzlhZ pic.twitter.com/uSPgKNtRbN

— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 8, 2021

Cork’s Phil Healy will be representing Team Ireland in three events – the most out of any Team Ireland athlete.

“It is a real honour for any athlete to be selected to represent their country at the Olympic Games,” Healy said.

“To achieve qualification in one event is a dream for any athlete as the Olympic Games is the pinnacle of any athletes career.

“I am thrilled to be selected for two individual events in addition to the mixed 4x400m relay.

“Every athlete has worked so hard to get to this point and it’s made all the more special to have such a large and strong athletics team heading to the Games.”

Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, Tricia Heberle, complimented the members of the Track & Field and 20km Walk team.

She described the athletes who qualified as a talented team who have been faced with a challenging season of competition.

She believes Team Ireland is bringing a strong group over to Tokyo.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what they can do on the world’s biggest stage.”

To see the full list of Irish athletes for the Tokyo Games, click here.

Team Ireland Athletics Team

Individuals

Thomas Barr (400m Hurdles)

Síofra Cléirigh Büttner (800m)

Andrew Coscoran (1500m)

Mark English (800m)

Michelle Finn (3,000m Steeplechase)

Eilish Flanagan (3,000m Steeplechase)

Phil Healy (200m/400m/400m Relay)

Sarah Healy (1500m)

David Kenny (20K Walk)

Sarah Lavin (100H)

Marcus Lawler (200m)

Ciara Mageean (1500m)

Nadia Power (800m)

Leon Reid (200m)

Louise Shanahan (800m)

Mixed 4x400m Relay Team (Four athletes from the following six)

Cillin Greene

Chris O’Donnell

Phil Healy

Sophie Becker

Robert McDonnell

Cliodhna Manning

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The Limerick hurdler won the 100m hurdles at the National Championships in Dublin with a 13.17 run.

The time is her second fastest ever, behind only her magnificent time last week in Madrid.

In Madrid, the hurdler broke her personal record with a 12.95 finish at the World Athletics Continental Tour silver meeting.

Lavin became the second-ever Irish woman to break the 13-second barrier.

The two sensational results for the 27-year-old have her in a great position to qualify for the Olympics.

The result means that Lavin can secure qualification with another good run in Lucerne, Switzerland on Tuesday.

The runner currently sits 36th in the Women’s 100m hurdles Road To Tokyo rankings.

The top 40 on June 29th, which is the closing date for the Olympic deciders, will travel to Tokyo to race in the event at the Olympics.

After rupturing two ligaments in her ankle a year ago, qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics would be the perfect way for the track star to recover.

The extra year to prepare for the Olympics has allowed her to regain fitness and get into the Olympic picture as the cut-off date draws near.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Lavin admitted that “the Olympics probably wasn’t going to happen for me this time 12 months ago.”

After the race on Saturday, the 27-year-old paid tribute to a friend she had recently lost on RTÉ.

“I lost a good friend of mine last Friday night and it really hurt this week because I came back on Sunday and found out.

“My family had kept it from me just for Madrid and I’ve no doubt she was behind that and she was behind today.

“I’m so lucky to be in this position and hopefully get the job done on Tuesday night.”

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