Sincere thanks from Morton Games

Now that we’ve had time to draw breath after a truly brilliant night on July 12 we would like to sincerely thank all who made it possible.

Our meet partners: Athletics Ireland, Clonliffe Harriers, DCU, Fingal County Council and Sport Ireland.

Our wonderful loyal sponsors and supporters: The Albie Thomas family, Athletics Leinster, Behan & Associates, Bons Secours Hospital Dublin, Commercial Hygiene Services, Davy, Decathlon, Dublin Athletics, Irish Life Dublin Marathon, Fashionflo, HyGo Water, Last Lap Café, Loki Sports, Whiteford Geo Service, Juice Genie, Clonliffe Harriers Grand Prix Series.

Those who became Friends of Morton Games 2024: Eugenia Bateson, Stephen Bateson, Noreen Keane, Mick Kearney, Colm Leonard, Killian Lonergan, Colm Lundy, Paddy Marley, Maurice McCrohan, John O’Leary, Brendan Pollard, Geri Slevin, John Smith, The Guiden family, Dick Hooper, Dominic Branigan, Peter McDermott, Pamala Cooper, David Reid, Bart Rogers, Jerry O’Sullivan, Mick Fogarty, Eoin Murray, Joe Gibbons, Jimmy Bennett, John Cronin, Geraldine & Derek Reilly, Gerry & Sue Cullen, Fergie Keenan.

All the meet officials from Athletics Ireland and the army of volunteers from Clonliffe Harriers who filled every conceivable role from the airport meet and greet team, the hotel meet and greet team, those who assisted with catering for athletes, the call room team, the mixed zone team, the blocks team, the guest and presentation team, the huge team who looked after the juvenile relays (we are still mesmerised as to how!) the hurdles team, the admission team, to those who acted as event stewards, and everyone connected who gave so willingly of their time, all with great professionalism and good humour thrown in.

We will also like to thank all those fans of the brilliant the sport of athletics who attended Morton Games and created the unique Morton Games atmosphere.

Finally of course all the athletes who competed at this year’s meet from the U/10 boys and girls in the mixed relay right up to the Morton mile itself, and every event in between. Thank you sincerely for coming and joining us in the festival of athletics that Morton Games is. We very much look forward to seeing you all again on July 11, 2025 (subject to final confirmation of that date).

A night to savour

Photo of Cathal Doyle courtesy of Mark Kavanagh

Last night’s Morton Games was arguably the best to date.  Perfect weather, a big enthusiastic crowd, rocking atmosphere and brilliant competition. The night produced 5 Stadium records, an Irish U/23 record, 13 sub- four-minute miles and a home win in the iconic Morton Mile.

Pre Program:

The meet started with the now staple of juvenile 4 x 200 mixed relays featuring clubs from the Dublin area. The U/10 race was won by Clonliffe Harriers, in the U/12 it was MSB and after this it was the Ratoath AC domination that took over with convincing wins in both the U/14 and U/16 races. Then it was the turn of the unique 16 x 100 relay, featuring an incredible 176 young athletes in the age groups U/10 to U/16 racing for 11 club teams and again it was Ratoath that topped the charts with a convincing win by all of 9 seconds in a time of 3.50.39.

There was an excellent race in the Jerry Kiernan Foundation women’s U/20 mile with Gemma Galvin (Ennis TC) winning a time of 4.53.73 from Eimear McCarroll (Finn Valley) in 2nd leading home the foster family – Lucy, 3rd, Kirsti 4th and Jodi 5th.

Sean Cronin successfully retained the Frank Murphy cup in the Jerry Kiernan Foundation men’s U/20 mile in a more tactical race in a time of 4.21.26, chased all the way home by Clonliffe clubmate Lorcan Benjacar 2nd and Jamie Byrne (DSD) 3rd.

Main program:

In the field events there were two superb throws competitions featuring world-class athletes. The men’s shot put, sponsored by Whiteford Geo Services, was simply superb as the existing Stadium record took a hammering. In round 2 Jordan Geist (USA) bettered the record to 21.64, he then extended that to 21.88 in round 4 and in the final round of the competition he threw a PB of 22.25, a Stadium record, meet record and Irish allcomers record. Chuk Enekwechi (Nigeria) also bettered the pre-competition Stadium record 3 times as he finished 2nd with a best of 21.52, Sweden’s Wictor Patterson finished 3rd with a best of 20.12.

At the same time the women’s discus competition sponsored by Last Lap Café,  was running and again a brilliant competition which was won by Antonia Kinzel (GER), the world University champion, with a best of 59.12 which was a Morton games meet record. Jade Lally (GBR) on her 2nd visit to Morton Games placed 2nd with a best of 57.10 with Annesofie Hartmann Nielsen (DEN) taking 3rd with a best of 56.46.

Defending champion Urte Baikstyte (LTH) made a successful defence of her title winning the HyGo women’s high jump with a best of 1.86 from Una Stancev (ESP) 1.84 and Fedra Fekete (HUN), 1.81.

It was the inter-varsity Swedish mixed relay, sponsored by Decathlon the got the main track programme underway, it was a very exciting relay with DCU team of Niamh O’Neill, Ciaran Carthy, Jack Kelly and Caoimhe Cronin retaining the title in a time of 2.05.86 from University of Limerick and the DCU yellow team.

There were 2 Athletics Leinster men’s 100 races. Race 1 saw Timo Spiering (NED) win in a time of 10.61, with Irish pairing Paul Costello 2nd 10.66 and Runo Ayavoro 3rd 10.81. The eagerly awaited race 2 was an absolute cracker with Coby Hilton (USA) and JT Smith (USA) recording identical times of 10.30 and only separated by photo finish. Earl Simmonds (St. Vincent) took 3rd 10.36.

As expected Sarah Lavin lit up the arena bring the crowd to its feet in the Davy women’s 100 hurdles, on her last race on Irish soil before the Paris Olympic Games, with this year’s race producing the same one two as 2023, Sarah Lavin winning in 12.82 as once again Ebony Morrison (LBR) 12.92. 3rd place went to Talie Bonds (USA).

There a British One Two in the Loki Sports men’s 400, Alex Haydock-Wilson taking a fine win in a time of 45.54 from Sam Reardon 45.99 and Ireland’s Jack Raftery 46.44.

The meet at this stage switched to the 800s. First was the Irish life Dublin Marathon sponsored women’s events. The pacemaker did an excellent job setting the field up nicely for a sub- 2 minute race. Down the home straight it was an American battle where McKenna Keegan prevailed in a time of 1.59.82 from Paris bound Allie Wilson 2.00.48 and Ireland’s Louise Shanahan taking 3rd in a season’s best of 2.00.92.

There was then a simply extraordinary DCU men’s 800, fireworks were always expected in this race take into account the calibre of the field known predicted that a two second winning margin could possibly produce a new Stadium record. Edmund Du Plesis (RSA) had sat in behind the pacemaker and once the pacer pulled over he went even faster, hitting the top bend he had an unsurpassable lead, he did not in any way ease off but drove right through the line to demolish the Stadium record with a time of 1.44.22 which was also an Irish all comers record. Nathan Green (USA), who on Tuesday had won the Cork City mile clocked a new PB of 1.46.23 to take 2nd place with Britain’s Finley McLear 3rd 1.46.42.

The Albie Thomas men’s 5000, sponsored by Dublin Athletics and the Albie Thomas family, was once again a highlight of a night of highlights., Again it must be said the pacemaking was excellent as they hit the 3000 mark in 8.00 or thereabouts, it was the Kenyan pairing of Amos Langat and Matthew Kipkoech that led front, driving on the pace even more with Ireland’s Nick Griggs sitting, and it must be said looking very comfortable, on their shoulders. At 600 to go it was down to Langat and Griggs, it was some battle over the last Lap with the Kenyan winning, and shattering the existing Stadium record by 7 seconds to win in a new allcomers record 13.12.44. Griggs was rewarded for his bravery with a huge PB of 13.13.07 which was a new Irish U/23 record. Kipkeoch was 3rd in 13.18.4, Norwegian Per Svela also bettered the Stadium record take 4th place in 13.18.61.

The Bon Secours Hospital Dublin women’s 200 produced a lightning fast performance from South African Chane Vermeulen that produced a new Morton Games meet record – 23.19. Vermeulen was challenged off the final bend by Kristie Edwards (AUS), now becoming a Morton Games regular, however the South African pulled clear over the closing 50m, Edwards held 2nd position clocking up 23.49 with Lauren Rain James (USA) also breaking the 24 second barrier as she finished 3rd in 23.64.

Next up it was the men’s international invitational 4 x 100 relay, an event which had been put together and included in the programme to assist team Australia with their Paris Olympics preparations. It was the Australian team that really produced the goods as yet another Stadium and allcomers record was set that a blistering 38.98. The Irish selection finished 2nd and Irish U/20s 3rd.

With 2 races to go and as twilight started to set in still the magic still went on. The weather gods remained content, and although there had been some threatening rain clouds they passed over Santry without so much as a drop falling. It was then the athletes in the Fashionflo women’s 1500 who were sent underway by the starters gun. Again the pacemaker did an outstanding job taking the field to 800 in 2.10. The field continued their pursuit of the stadium record set by Sonia O’Sullivan on 12 June 1994 standing at 4.05.75. With 300 to go it was between Shannon Flockhart (GBR), Laura Nagel (NZL) and Nancy Cherop (KEN) at this stage, having been very much out of contention, Sophie O’Sullivan hit top gear to close on the lead trio dramatically, coming off the top bend O’Sullivan was right in it roared on by the crowd, Lockhart took the win in a new Morton Stadium record 4.04.98 with O’Sullivan 2nd 4.05.77, within 2 hundredths of a second of her mother’s record, and the young Kenyan 3rd place 4.06.04.

Finally at 9.00pm the Morton milers were led onto the track for the meet climax. They were introduced by the stadium announcer to an appreciative excited crowd for the 2024 Morton mile (sponsored by Behan & Associates, and Commercial Hygiene Services). With once again excellent pacemaking the field was quickly strung out in a long line, at the bell it was clear that this was going to be one of the fastest ever Morton miles, hitting the final bend it was 2018 Morton mile Champion Sam Prakle (USA) who struck first and it looked to be his race. Cathal Doyle had the support of the entire stadium and with his confidence skyhigh as a result of brilliant performances on the circuit of late, winning his 3rd national 1500 title and the small matter of Olympic selection, and he tore after Prakle with Brian Fay unleashing his dramatic finishing kick, it was Doyle who hit the front with maybe 50 to go to take a famous win for the organising club Clonliffe Harriers and to become the 1st Clonliffe Harrier winner of the Morton mile since Niall Bruton 25 years ago. Doyle’s winning in 3.52.06, the 2nd fastest winning time in history, Prakle was 2nd 3.52.32 with Fay 3rd, 3.52.41. There were PB’s throughout the field with a notable first sub- 4 by Cillian Kirwan, 3.58.83 as 13 sub fours were recorded.

And so with that a magical night of athletics came to an end. A sincere thank you to our partners, sponsors, supporters, all who came to Morton Stadium and of course to all the 2024 Morton Gamers.

Link to results: http://live.athleticsireland.ie/Morton/menu.html

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

The 2024 Morton Games is finally here. Tomorrow Friday July 12th. The meet is part of the World Athletics Continental tour and is certainly a world event coming to Morton Stadium on the northside of Dublin city.

There are athletes competing from all over the globe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Kenya, South Africa, Congo, Morocco, Nigeria, Liberia, Bahamas, St Vincent and the Grenadines, USA, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Czechia, Hungary, Greece, Serbia.

It will be a fabulous family night of entertainment. An action packed programme of international events featuring Olympians getting their final preparation in before Paris in a couple of weeks time. Come along and see these sports men and women up close and personal. There is nothing like live sport and there is no sport like the sport of athletics.

Experience the Morton Games vibe for yourself with live DJ pumping out the tunes and food trucks galore. Non-stop action – sprints, high jump, discus, shot put, middle distance events and the iconic Morton mile.

Admission is only €10 for adults with U/16’s for free. It truly is the best value in town!

Purchase your tickets online now: https://eventmaster.ie/event/vvR6SPoSb4

Start lists are now live: http://live.athleticsireland.ie/Morton/menu.html

Although we want the biggest crowd possible in Morton Stadium we realise that not everyone can be here so for those who can’t there is a live stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/bOHNfXMeo30

The boys and girls of Summer!

The big night is almost here. On Friday evening the stars of national and international track and field will gather at the traditional home of Irish athletics, the Morton Stadium in north Dublin for Morton Games, a World Athletics Continental tour meet.

The evening’s proceedings will get underway with the pre-programme at 5:30 PM with the main international programme commencing at 7 PM.

Morton Games is a night of non-stop international athletics climaxing with the iconic Morton Mile packed into 2 hours. The main program will start at 7 PM (pre-programme from 5:30 PM).

Sarah Lavin is a confirmed starter in the women’s 100 hurdles where she will face a stellar field of sub 13 second hurdlers including Ebony Morrison (LBR) who has just won the African championships, she has a PB of 12.70, Talie Bonds (USA) PB 12.65 and Mette Graversgaard (DEN) PB 12.83.

The grand finale to Morton Games is the Morton mile just after 9 PM. The Morton mile is the most famous race in Irish athletics and will feature top Irish athletes include 3 time National 1500 champion and Olympic qualifier Cathal Doyle, national 5000 champion and Olympic qualifier Brian Fay and Darragh McElhinney. International athletes include 2024 NCAA 1500 champion Joe Waskom (USA), PB 3.51.90, 2024 NCAA 1500 indoor champion and the winner of the mile race in Croke Park on Sunday Luke Houser (USA), PB 3.51.73. Adam Spencer, the Australian 1500 champion, with a mile PB of 3.52.70.

The women’s 1500 entry includes Ireland’s European U/23 gold medallist and National Champion Sophie O’Sullivan, European U/23 bronze medallist Shannon Flockhart (GBR), 2023 World University 800 and 1500 gold medallist Laura Pellicoro (ITA) and 2022 World U/20 bronze medallist Nancy Cherop (KEN).

Ireland’s 2024 national champions will be out in force on Friday night include: Israel Olatunde, Jack Raftery, Cathal Doyle, Brian Fay, Sarah Lavin, Sophie O’Sullivan, Niamh Fogarty and Sommer Lecky, Mark Smyth.

Pre program events: U/10, U/12, U/14, U/16 mixed 4 x 200 relays, the U10 to U/16 16 x 100 Relay, U/20 Women and U/20 Men’s miles.

7.00pm main program – Inter Varsity Swedish sprint relay

Men’s events- 100, 400, 800, the Morton mile, Albie Thomas 5000, shot, International 4 x 100 relay.

Women’s events – 100 hurdles, 200, 800, 1500, high jump, discus

Irish International athletes: Sarah Lavin, Louise Shanahan, Georgie Hartigan, Efrem Gidey, Cathal Doyle, Brian Fay, Nick Griggs, Sophie O’Sullivan, Niamh Fogarty, Israel Olatunde , Jack Raftery, Cillin Greene, Chris O’Donnell.

International athletes:

Morton Mile: Joe Waskom (USA), Adam Spencer (AUS) Sam Prakel (USA), Luke Houser (USA).

Men’s Shot Put: Jordan Giest (USA), Chuk Enekwechi (NGR), Franck Elemba (FRA)

Women’s 800: Allie Wilson (USA), Abbie Ives (GBR)

Men’s 100: JT Smith (USA) 10.02, Retshidisitswe Mlenga (RSA) 10.04, Coby Hilton (USA) 10.14

Men’s 800 : Guy Learmonth (GBR), Nathan Green (USA), Edmund Du Plessis (RSA)

Women’s 200: Torrie Lewis (AUS), DL winner, Lauren Rain James (USA)

Many thanks to our wonderful sponsors: Albie Thomas Family, Athletics Leinster, Behan & Associates, Bon Secours Hospital Dublin, Commercial Hygiene Services, Davy, Decathlon, Dublin Athletics, Fashionflo, HyGo Water, Jerry Kiernan Foundation, Last Lap Café, Loki Sports, Irish life Dublin Marathon, Whiteford Geo Service, Juice Genie.

Thanks to the meet partners: Athletics Ireland, Clonliffe Harriers, Dublin City University, Fingal County Council, Sport Ireland.

Admission -€10. U/16 - Free

TICKETS: https://eventmaster.ie/event/vvR6SPoSb4

Gates open from 4.30 pm

Pre-programme from 5.30 pm

Main programme from 7.00 pm

Car parking:

Please note there is no public car-parking whatsoever within the stadium for either spectators or athletes.

Thanks to Trinity College there will be limited car parking available in Trinity Sports Grounds, Santry Avenue, Santry. Please note that this car park will remain open until 9.45 pm only.

Trinity Sports Grounds are approx a 10/15 minute walk from Morton Stadium.

Please note there is no car-parking permitted on the Swords Road, on the main route through the Northwood complex nor is there event parking in Santry Demsene Park. The authorities mat have any vehicles parked in these areas ticketed or towed away.

Public transport:

As part of our sustainability program we would encourage all patrons of Morton Games to avail of public transport. Santry is very well serviced by Dublin Bus and in particular the following bus routes, numbers 16, 27b ,33, 41, 41b, 41c, 41d with a stop at Morton Stadium. Route 1 from the city to Santry (Shanard) is a 10 minute walk to Morton Stadium. Route N6 runs from Finglas/Kilbarrack/Finglas with a stop on Santry Avenue, (2 minutes walk to Morton Stadium).

Cycling:

There are good bicycle lanes serving Santry and bike parking racks are available in Morton Stadium.

Morton Mile fireworks fused and ready to light!

The grand finale of Friday night’s Morton Games will be the iconic Morton mile. This year’s mile is possibly the most eagerly awaited in years. There will be fireworks!

From an Irish perspective it looks like it will be a race for the ages. Cathal Doyle has been in simply superb form these last weeks, he enjoyed two victories on the European circuit and at nationals became the 3 in the row 1500 champion and with his selection now confirmed for the Paris Olympic Games he will be full of confidence lining up for his home race before the Clonliffe crowd.

Brian Fay, from next door neighbour club Raheny Shamrocks will, it can be guaranteed, be right there. Fay unleashed an unbelievable 54 second last lap in the national 5000 to destroy the field, and boasting a 3.52.03 mile best, on paper he may have the edge.

The other lead Irish contenders, one would assume, will be Darragh McElhinney and Charlie O’Donovan. There will be great interest in the performance of Efrem Gidey over the mile distance, we are more accustomed to seeing him race over 5000 and 10,000, he will have the strength but will he have the speed?

The USA as always in the Morton mile is well represented. There are some superb milers in the field. The 2024 and 2022  NCAA 1500 champion Joe Waskom with a 3.51.90 pb has enjoyed a stellar year, he qualified for the US Olympic trials final finishing in 7th position. Luke Houser is also a double NCAA champion indoors having won the 1500 title this year and last year, on Sunday he won the unique Croke Park Grass Mile, before some 60,000 hurling fans!.

Making his return to Morton Games after some 6 years is the 2018 Morton mile winner Sam Prakel. Prakel has the fastest mile PB in the field, 3.50.94, in 2023 he was one of the most dominant athletes in the United States winning both the US indoor 1500 and 3000 titles.

Making this a true international race are Adam Spencer (AUS), who was runner-up in last year’s Morton mile. This year Spencer has won the Australian 1500 champion and also ran a 3.52.70 pb and was selected for the Australian team for the Olympic Games. Piers Copeland (GBR) it is the British 2024 1500 indoor champion, he has a 3.54.91 mile PB. Abdellatif Sadik (MOR) was a semifinalist in the Tokyo Olympic Games where he ran his PB over 1500 of 3.33.59 and Mohad Abdikadar (ITA) who has clocked a 3.33.79 over 1500.

Fireworks guaranteed!!

HyGo to raise the bar!

The Morton Games HyGo Water women’s high jump sees the return of defending champion Urte Baikstyte (LTU). Baikstyte prevailed last time out and will look to make it two in a row on Friday night, she is a two-time national champion and three-time indoor champion who earlier this year set her PB at 1.92.

Sommer Lecky will carry Irish hopes. Lecky back in 2018 was the world U/20 silver medallist, interestingly enough Bailstyte was 6th in that particular competition. The Finn Valley athlete, with a PB of 1.90, took the national title in Morton Stadium last weekend.

Also in the hunt will be Fedra Fekete (HUN), PB 1.88, a 4 time national champion and Una Stances (ESP)1.86 PB.

The Irish contingent is completed by Daena Kealy, 1.82 and Ciara Kennelly 1.80 and Ava Rochford, 1.80.

Can Sophie O’Sullivan bring a home win?

European U/23 champion Sophie O’Sullivan is the star attraction in the Fashionflo women’s 1500. O’Sullivan was last weekend crowned Irish national 1500 champion and with the Paris Olympics only a matter of weeks away will be looking for a positive outcome on Friday.

Other Irish athletes in the hunt include Georgie Hartigan, moving up from 800. 2023 national champion and 2024 national indoor champion Carla Sweeney took silver behind O’Sullivan in Nationals and will be keen to turn the tables. Also confirmed is Roisin Flanagan, coming down in distance.

Overseas athletes include Kenya’s 2022 world U/20 bronze medallist Nancy Cherop, 2023 World University 800 and 1500 champion Laura Pellicoro (ITA), Eleanor Fulton (USA) and European U/23 1500 bronze medallist Shannon Flockhart (GBR), who finished behind O’Sullivan and Sarah Healy in that epic Europea U/23 race.

It has been a number of years since there was an Irish win in the 1500 at Morton Games, maybe this year Sophie O’Sullivan can get things back on track, she does have the fastest PB in the field.

Come along on Friday and cheer Sophie home.

Sprints fans in for a treat

There is a brilliant entry of 20 athletes for the men’s 100 which is very kindly sponsored by Athletics Leinster. This year the men’s 100 will be decided on the results of 2 x seeded races.

Ireland’s top sprinters have committed with all three podium positions at last weekend’s national championships confirmed, indeed 8 of 10 who made last Sunday’s final will line up. The Irish entry is headed by 10.17 national record holder Israel Olantunde, who this season has clocked a best of 10.27.

The Irish will face stiff opposition from a strong overseas entry. The lead entry is JT Smith (USA), an athlete with a 10.02 PB was also clocked the magical sub- 10 last year when he went 9.94 in a +3.1 wind. He was a member of the USA’s 4 x 100 world championship gold winning team from last year and was the 2023 US 60 indoor champion. He made the finals of the US Olympic trials last week.

2017 World U/20 gold medallist over 200 and silver over 100 Retshidisitswe Mlenga (RSA) will be making his first trip to Dublin. This year he has set a new PB of 10.04. Earl Simmons will become the first athlete from St Vincent and the Grenadines to compete in Morton Games, having earlier this year set a new national record when he ran his PB of 10.13. Also confirmed from the United States is Coby Hilton PB 10.14 and with a season’s best of 10.15. Regular at the Cork City Sports, Ian Kerr (BAH) with a 10.14 PB will be a first timer in Dublin. Also confirmed is the 2023 European U/20 200 silver medallist Timo Spiering (NED), Australian’s World U/20 200 silver medallist Calab Law and David Morgan-Harrison (GBR)..

The Athletics Leinster 100s will be out of the blocks at 7.10pm and 7.20pm

As if all of that was not enough fans can also look forward to the international invitational 4 x 100 Relay which takes place at 8:45 PM. Team Australia will be bringing their Paris Olympics squad to Dublin including Josh Azzopardi, Chris Ius, Lachlan Kennedy and Jacob Despard. There will be two Irish senior teams which will feature many of the athletes who will have raced earlier in the night’s programme. Also confirmed is the Northern Ireland U/20 squad and Team Ireland’s U/20’s. Completing the lineup will be an IUAA 4 x 100 selection.

It has all the hallmarks of a spectacular and exciting series of sprints.

Is Du Plessis the man to beat DCU 800?

Edmund Du Plessis may be the man to beat in the Dublin City University 800. The 2023 and 2024 South African champion set a 1.44.49 PB in Madrid on June 21st. Likewise Sam Ellis (USA) will challenge, he was a semifinalist in the US Olympic trials and only a matter of weeks ago clocked his PB in the New York City Grand Prix at 1.45.93. Indoors this year Ellis placed 6th in the famed Millrose Games.

Undoubtedly in the mix will be Guy Learmonth (GBR), 1.44.73 PB, back for a second bit at the Morton cherry. The Scot last year clocked a 1.44.80 in London shortly after running in Morton Games and already this season has a 1.45.49 showing from the Bislett Games.

Last year’s runner up Bram Buigel (NED) will be looking to go one better this time out.

Cian McPhillips spearhead the Irish challenge, the 2021 European U/20 1500 gold medallist won the national indoor championships this year.

Also confirmed is Pol Moya, who will become the first ever athlete from Andorra to complete in Morton Games, the Barcelona FC athlete has a 1.46.19 PB, Aurele Vandeputte (BEL), 1.45.49 and Tiarnan Crorken (GBR), 1.45.58.

Completing the super lineup are Ireland’s Mark Milner, Roland Surlis and Dara Donoghue.

Super international field for women’s 800.

The Irish Life Dublin Marathon women’s 800 has drawn a top quality international entry. The lead entry is Allie Wilson (USA) who finished runner-up in last year’s race. Since then Wilson has risen to prominence having won the US indoor championships in February in a time of 2.00.63 and only a week ago punched her ticket for the Paris Olympic Games courtesy of a 2nd place finish in the US Olympic trials in a time of 1.58.63, which is only marginally short of her all-time best of 1.58.09. Also confirmed from the USA are McKenna Keegan PB 2.00.14, Sam Friborg, 2.03.23 and Kendra Coleman, 2.00.76.

2023 World University bronze medallist and South African 2024 champion Charne Swart comes to Morton Games armed with a 2.00.71 PB. Also confirmed is the 2023 European U/20 silver medallist Abbie Ives (GBR) who has a 1.59.92 PB and 2018 World U/20 silver medallist Carley Thomas (AUS), 1.59.95 PB.

Louise Shanahan, second in the national championships, will carry Irish hopes along with third-place finisher Jenna Bromell

In a true international field other entries – Eugenie Morel (FRA) PB 2.01.24, Kimberley Finenec (CZE) 2.00.78, Malin Nyfors (NOR).

Sarah Lavin to delight the Morton crowd in Davy 100H

The magnificent Sarah Lavin will be one of the star attractions of this year’s Morton Games in the Davy 100 hurdles. She is one of the superstars of Irish athletics, who week after week has been lighting up the international stage with her performances over the hurdles and at last weekend’s National took yet another National 100H title and followed that up with silver in the 100 only 24 hours later.

Sarah Lavin was the star of the 2023 Morton Games as she set a new Stadium record of 12.79 for which she was also awarded Jerry Kiernan Foundation Irish athlete of the meet.

Another excellent field has been put together that includes American Talie Bonds,12.65 PB. Ebony Morrison (LBR) finished runner-up to Lavin in 2023, lately she has won the African championships and has a 12.70 pb.

Also entered is Nika Glonjaric (SLO), she is the 2024 Balkan indoor champion and a five-time national champion with a 12.92 PB and Milica Emini (SRB) who was also sub- 13 seconds at 12.99.

With five of the field carrying sub 13 second PB’s the Davy women’s 100 hurdles promises to be an absolute cracker.

Morton Games welcomes Sanctuary Runners

On April 12th the partnership between Morton Games and Sanctuary Runners was announced with Sanctuary Runners becoming the first ever charity partner of Morton Games.

At the time of the announcement Susan Moran, Dublin Group Leader Sanctuary Runners said: ‘we are delighted to partner with Morton Games and being afforded this exciting opportunity to bring the message of solidarity, friendship and respect to the wider athletics community. Our mission statement is to become bridge builders by using running and walking groups to bring asylum seekers, refugees and migrants together and by creating these opportunities in an equal and respectful way this will enable the entire community to develop friendships.”

Members of Sanctuary Runners will be guests of Morton Games at the meet on July 12 with a batch of complimentary tickets sent to head office for distribution. The charity will also have a presence on the night at their gazebo where further information about Sanctuary Runners and their work will be available

The issue of sustainability is of exceptional importance with Morton Games on July 12th the night offering the opportunity to athletes, runners and supporters to do something positive on sustainability and in the process to provide for our friends from Sanctuary Runners. Those training shoes that you have just replaced will find a new home and can be dropped off at the Sanctuary Runners collection point located at their gazebo. Morton games will encourage all attending to check to see if you can make a donation of old, but clean, training shoes.

You will find further details about Sanctuary Runners on: https://sanctuaryrunners.ie/ 

Shot put record in peril!

The men’s shot put competition has been a fairly recent addition to the field events programme in Morton Games. In 2022 Nick Ponzio (ITA) set a new Stadium record of 20.98, however that record looks like it will come under attack in this year’s Shot Put, sponsored by Whiteford Geo Services

Konrad Bukowiecki (POL) is one of Europe’s most decorated athletes, silver in the 2018 European Championships, gold 2017 European indoors, diamond league winner, twice World University gold medallist, most recently last year, and European gold medallist at youth, U/20 and U/23. He has a world-class PB of 22.25.

The in form man is Jordan Giest (USA), having at the end of May set his PB of 22.09 and last week narrowly missing out on making the US Olympic team when he placed 4th at the trials with a 21.79 best.

Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (NGR) is another world-class shot putter, he recently won the all African championships with a 21.14 best, a silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and world championship finalist both outdoors and indoors who has a 21.91 PB.

2016 Olympic Games 4th place man Franck Elemba (FRA) has a 21.20 pb and is also a multi-decorated athlete, he formerly competed for CGO winning both silver and bronze in the African championships.

Ireland’s national record holder Eric Favors has been in fine form this season. He extended his national record to 20.93 in the USA in April and this weekend in Morton Stadium won his 3rd National outdoor title.

With a fine competition in prospect and with the calibre of these shot putters Ponzio’s record should be put away!

Diamond League winner Torrie Lewis for 200

The Bon Secours Hospital Dublin Women’s 200 brings together a classy looking field. Torrie Lewis (AUS) is a confirmed starter. Lewis certainly sprung a surprise on the athletics’ world at the end of April when she won the 200 at the Diamond League in Xiamen, China. The three time Australian national champion with a 22.94 PB is confirmed for the Bon Secours Hospital Dublin Women’s 200.

Candace Hill (USA) is the fastest athlete in the field with a 22.43 PB. The 2016 World U/20 100 gold medalist will be making her first appearance in Dublin.

Also confirmed is Sweden’s 2023 European U/20 200 champion Nora Lindahl, PB 23.26, the 2022 Czechoslovakian indoor champion Natalie Kozuskanicova, who has a 23.24 PB, Chane Vermeulen (RSA), PB 23.29 and Tristan Evelyn (BAR) 23.16. Ireland’s Lauren Roy, 23.54 and 2023 National 200 champion Katie Bergin, 24.60 complete the entry.

Albie Thomas to set another Santry record!

Albie Thomas is a legend around these parts. He set two world distance records, 2 mile and 3 mile back in the summer of 1958. Albie’s feats and life are celebrated by Morton Games each year with the Albie Thomas 5000. The race is very generously supported by Dublin Athletics and by Albie’s family, indeed Albie’s grandson Liam Whitaker will be our guest on July 12 .

Fittingly there will be an attack on the Morton Stadium 5000 record in Albie’s race. The current record of 13.19.98 was set in the Albie Thomas 5000 by fellow Aussie Stewy McSweyn on 12 July 2017 which will be exactly 7 years ago on Morton Games night.

A truly stellar field has been gathered. Dave McNeil (AUS) has quality and experience to burn, he has a 13.12.82 PB and is a former NCAA outdoor and indoor champion. Fellow Aussie Jude Thomas is the 2022 Australian 3000 champion who has a 13.33.60 5000 PB but undoubtedly has the wheels to go much faster – 7.47.26 over 3000 and a 3.56.87 miler.

There a couple of quality Kenyans entered, Amos Langat who has a 5K Road PB of 13.24 and Matthew Kipkoech who is even faster on the roads, 13.18.

From Japan there are two 13.23 men: Nagiya Mori and Ayumu Kobayaghi.

Also confirmed is Zak Mahamed (GBR) who took silver in the 2022 U/23 European cross-country and has a 13.24.83 PB.

Ireland’s Cormac Dalton (Mullingar Harriers) had a breakthrough performance in last year’s Albie Thomas 5000 as he took an excellent 2nd place in 13.27.81. The reigning national cross country champion will certainly be in the mix.

Speaking of in the mix , the performance of Nick Griggs will be watched with huge interest, Griggs goes up in distance to the 5000, although he already has a 13.36.47 to his credit. Also on the start line, Sean Tobin (Clonmel AC), seasoned campaigner John Travers (Donore Harriers) and Irish National Marathon champion and Olympian Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers).

Wouldn’t it be magnificent if once again it is the legacy of the legendary Albie Thomas that delivers another record in Santry!

The Discus is back!

After an absence of seven years the women’s international discus competition makes a welcome return to Morton Games on July 12. The event, which is kindly sponsored by Last Lap Café, has attracted an excellent international entry.

Chrysoula Anagnostopoulou (GRE) is one of the lead entries. She is a 12 time national champion, with an extraordinary National winning streak stretching from 2011 to 2022 inclusive and is also a three time Balkan champion with a 62.40m PB.

Finland’s Salla Sipponen also has a 60.58 PB and likewise she is a multi-time national champion, having taking the Finnish discus title on 7 occasions, she completed in the world Championships on 2 occasions, and the European Championships on 4 occasions the most recent of which was in Rome.

Britain’s Kirsty Law was 7th place finisher in the 2022 Commonwealth Games and has been crowned national champion on 2 occasions. She has a PB of 60.13 and a season’s best to date of 58.57.

Irish national champion, 5 times no less, Niamh Fogarty of Raheny Shamrocks has been in superb form this season setting a 56.49 PB at the end of May and undoubtedly is eyeing the national record.

Also confirmed is Fogarty’s training partner Annesofie Hartman Nielsen (DEN) who has a PB of 58.30 and Babora Ticha (CZE) 2022 and 2023 national champion with a 56.07 PB.

The Stadium record is all of 30 years old, 59.62 set by Marie-Paule Geldhof (BEL) on 12/06/94. A new record looks to be on the cards in what promises to be a truly spectacular competition on Morton Games night.

Haydock-Wilson for 400

Alex Haydock – Wilson (GBR) is one of the big names in the Loki Sports men’s 400. Haydock Wilson has a 45.08 PB and was a World Championship 4 x 400 bronze medallist last year having the previous year taken individual 400 bronze at the European Championships.

Also confirmed is 2024 World Athletics 4 x 400 relay silver medalist Gardeo Isaacs (RSA) PB 45.15. Isaacs was a member of the South African team that took 4 x 400 mixed relay gold in the African Championships on June 22nd. He also medalled in the 2019 World University Games., 400 bronze and 4 x 400 relay silver.

The Irish challenge will most likely come from Donore Harrier Jack Raftery, PB 45.89 and Tokyo Olympian Cillin Greene (GCH) 46.18.

2024 Morton Games Officially Launched

Morton Games International Athletics 2024 was officially launched today in the Morton Stadium Dublin.

Morton Games is a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meet taking place on Friday, July 12th, post national track and field championships and two weeks before the Paris Olympic Games

As has been the format of the meet since its inception, the night will be a programme of non-stop international athletics, climaxing with the iconic Morton Mile.

The meet was launched today by the reigning national 1500m indoor and outdoor champion Cathal Doyle, of the promoting club Clonliffe Harriers. In the last, Doyle has won two prestigious international events, the Paavo Nurmi Games and the Kuortane Games, and is on the cusp of qualification for the Olympic Games.

Sarah Lavin is a confirmed starter in the women’s 100m Hurdles where she will face a stellar field of sub 13 second hurdlers including Ebony Morrison (LBR) who has just won the African championships and boasts a PB of 12.70, Talie Bonds (USA), PB 12.65 and Nika Glonjaric (SLO), PB 12.92.

The men’s 100m entry list includes Irish national record holder Israel Olatunde, Pjai Austin (USA) who has a PB of 9.89 and Brandon Cairns, a member of the USA’s world championship 4 x 100 winning team, PB 10.01. To date, a sub- 10 second 100m has not been witnessed on Irish soil. Morton Games is offering a substantial bonus should that happen on July 12th.

The women’s 1500m entry includes Ireland’s European U/23 gold medallist Sophie O’Sullivan, European U/23 bronze medallist Shannon Flockhart (GBR), 2023 world University 800m and 1500m gold medallist Laura Pellicoro (ITA) and 2022 world U/20 bronze medallist Nancy Cherop (KEN).

The meet will conclude shortly after 9 PM with the Morton mile, the most famous race in Irish athletics. All of Ireland’s top milers are entered, in addition to Cathal Doyle, Andrew Coscoran, Darragh McElhinney and Brian Fay will feature on the entry list. Returning is 2018 Morton mile winner Sam Prakel (USA), the 2023 US 1500m and 3000m indoor champion.

Men’s events- 100, 400, 800, the Morton mile, Albie Thomas 5000, Shot Put.

Women’s events – 100 hurdles, 200, 800, 1500, High jump, Discus.

Morton Games International Athletics – Facts at a glance:

What: Morton Games International Athletics.

Where: Morton Stadium, Dublin.

When: Friday, 12th July – International programme from 7pm, with Pre-programme from 5.30pm.

Tickets: Available online at www.mortongames.ie at a cost of €10 with U/16s free.

Confirmed Irish International athletes include Sarah Lavin, Louise Shanahan, Georgie Hartigan, Efrem Gidey, Eric Favors, Cathal Doyle, Brian Fay, Nick Griggs, Sophie O’Sullivan, Niamh Fogarty, Israel Olatunde , Jack Raftery, Cillin Greene, Roisin Flanagan

Confirmed overseas athletes include Ebony Morrison (LBR), Guy Learmonth (GBR), Edmund Du Plessis (RSA), Elena Kulichenko (CYP), Adam Spencer (AUS), Sam Prakel (USA), Ebony Morrison (LBR), Guy Learmonth (GBR), Pjai Austin (USA), Alex Haydock-Wilson (GBR), Talie Bonds (USA), Konrad Bukowiecki (POL).

Further details and news updates at: www.mortongames.ie

All Morton Games media-related enquiries including Event Accreditation should be directed to: mortongamesmedia@gmail.com


Morton Games timetable confirmed

With the 2024 Morton Games taking place on Friday three weeks, July 12 the timetable for the big night at the Morton Stadium Dublin has been confirmed revealing an exciting programme of International Track & Field.

The meet will get underway at 5:30 PM with the Dublin Athletics juvenile mixed relays, 4 x 200, continuing with the ‘bumper’ 16 x 100 (mile) juvenile relay and then the pre-programme will conclude with the U/20 mile races for women and men.

The main program will commence at 7 PM with the inter-varsity Swedish sprint relay. This is a mixed relay with the format: woman 100m, man 300m, man 200m, woman 400m.

The Field events on the programme are women’s discus, men’s shot and women’s high jump

There will be 2 men’s 100 races with the winner decided on time.

Morton Games will include a new event for 2024, men’s invitational international 4 x 100 relay.

The meet will conclude with the women’s 1500 followed by the Morton mile at 9:10 PM.

Timetable:

5.30  Dublin Athletics U/10 4 x 200 mixed relay

5.40  Dublin Athletics U/12 4 x 200 mixed relay

5.50  Dublin Athletics U/14 4 x 200 mixed relay

6.00  Dublin Athletics U/16 4 x 200 mixed relay

6.15 Fingal 16 x 100 (Mile) U/10 to U/16 Interclub mixed relay

6.30 Jerry Kiernan Foundation U/20 Women’s Mile

6.40 Jerry Kiernan Foundation U/20 Men’s Mile

6.50 HyGo Water Women’s High Jump

7.00 Intervarsity (Mixed) Swedish sprint medley relay (W 100 x M 300 x M 200 x W 400)

7.10 Men’s 100  Race 1 (Sponsored by Athletics Leinster)

7.20 Men’s 100  Race 2 (Sponsored by Athletics Leinster)

7.20 Whiteford Geo Service’s Men’s Shot

7.25 Last Lap Café Women’s Discus

7.30 Davy Women’s 100 Hurdles

7.40 Loki Sports Men’s 400

7.50 Irish Life Dublin Marathons Women’s 800

8.00 DCU Men’s  800

8.10 Albie Thomas Men’s 5000 (Sponsored by Dublin Athletics & the Albie Thomas Family)

8.30 Bon Secours Hospital Dublin Women’s 200

8.45 Men’s Invitational International  4 x 100 relay

8.55 Fashionflo Women’s 1500

9.10 Morton Mile (Sponsored by Behan & Associates and Commercial Hygiene Services)