Eric Favors and Mark Smyth stole the headlines as they landed national senior indoor titles at the national indoor arena in Abbotstown today.
Favors was first to claim gold when he retained his shot put title. Favors threw 17.74 metres with his first throw passing on his second and third attempt.
John Kelly of Finn Valley threw 19.19 metres in his third attempt with Favors fourth attempt registered 19.26 metres. Kelly had no answer failing to break the 19 metre mark.
Favors passed his fifth attempt before throwing 19.26m in his six and final attempt with the gold medal in the bag at that stage.
A very impressive victory for Favors his third national senior title and a second national indoor title.
Fortune Favors the Brave!
Eric Favors of Raheny Shamrock AC, Dublin, celebrates a throw whilst competing in the senior men’s Shot put at the https://t.co/wuZNorggJg National Senior Indoor Championships.
📸 @SportsfileSam https://t.co/njGZIM00uQ pic.twitter.com/xcgVCxLHxh
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) February 18, 2023
Mark Smyth blazed to victory in the 200m following up on his outdoor national title last summer.
Smyth sped to victory in this morning’s heat posting 21.10 seconds for a big Q. Navan’s Jake McEntagart took second in this heat in 23.59 seconds.
The final pitched Smyth against his big rival Marcus Lawler of Clonliffe.
This time there was only one winner as Smyth smashed the Championship record to take gold in 20.77 seconds, taking 0.09 seconds off Robert McDonnell’s record set last year. The time was a personal best and new club record.
✨ Championship Record ✨
Mark Smyth (Raheny Shamrock) takes the National Title in the Men’s 200m and sets a new Championship Record of 20.77; his reaction says it all ⚡🤩
🥈Marcus LAWLER (Clonliffe Harriers)
🥉Craig NEWELL (Ballymena and Antrim)#IrishAthletics @Ask123ie pic.twitter.com/IdFGmVu60U— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) February 18, 2023
Elsewhere it was a good day for Sophie Becker who progressed to the 400m final, winning her semi-final in 54.41 seconds. Becker had won her early morning heat in 55.05. Becker races in the 400m final at 1:35pm on Sunday.
Also progressing to Sunday’s final this time in the 1500m was Juan Ignacio Pen and Kieran Kelly. Both scored a Raheny 1-2 in their heat. Pena posting 4:00.36 for the win with Kelly clocking 4:00.39.
The men’s 1500 metre final takes place at 1.20pm on Sunday.
Iseult O’Donnell cruised into the 800m final winning her heat in 2:13.79, well clear of Meave O’Neill from Doheny. The 800m final takes place at 2.25pm.
Tara Meier sixth in the 60m Hurdles final in 9.20 seconds. While Shane Spring clocked 8:46.71 for sixth place in race one of the 3000m.
Kim O’Hare took seventh place in the triple jump with a best of 10.84m. Saragh Buggy of St. Abban’s took gold with a best of 13.25m.
