Nicola Tuthill throws career second, and Reece Ademola ‘delighted' with long jump display at Cork City Sports

Irish Independent

3 days ago

That was behind only her Irish U-23 record of 71.71m, which the UCD student threw in Finland last month, and it tees her up perfectly for next week's European U-23 Championships in Norway, with the World University Games to follow the week after.
Tuthill also defeated some quality opponents in the process, with Norway's Beatrice Llano second with 68.14m and Finland's Suvi Koskinen third with 68.02m.
'I'm happy with that, but of course I'm always looking for more,' said Tuthill. 'It's a brilliant home crowd which makes it extra special. I'm happy with the consistency of two throws over 70 and I hope I can build on that as the summer goes on.'
Elsewhere in the field events, Reece Ademola underlined his outstanding talent with a huge leap of 7.82m in the long jump, the Leevale athlete bouncing back to form in spectacular fashion following a prolonged layoff with injury.
Ademola underwent knee surgery last August and was thrilled to be back competing, having only started back jumping three weeks ago. Victory went to Britain's Stephen Mackenzie with 7.89m ahead of compatriot Alessandro Schenni (7.88m).
'I'm delighted with that, I didn't know what to expect,' said Ademola.
'Last year I had a lateral meniscus tear so I took some personal time for myself to get over things, but I'm back now so I'm looking to get out there. I'm going to shoot for Worlds, give myself a goal. I do tend to do well if I have something ahead of me.'
Israel Olatunde put in a bold bid for victory in the men's 100m but came up second best, clocking 10.36 (0.5m/s) behind USA's Coby Hilton (10.30). 'I'll take it, it's all progress,' said Olatunde. 'Next up is Morton Games and then I'll get ready for nationals.'
The Dundalk athlete has been training in Florida since last autumn under the guidance of coach Lance Brauman, alongside Olympic champion Noah Lyles, and he feels things are starting to click after an initial adjustment period.
'It's been great, a dream come true being out there, training with the best,' he said.
'I feel like I'm really improving as an athlete. You think the best do crazy stuff but it's simple things, day on day, putting in the work, that leads to greatness over time. It's all a process but I'm getting there bit by bit.'
In the men's 800m, Cian McPhillips left himself with too much to do despite producing a flying finish.
The Longford athlete had to circle the field over the closing 200m and came up just short of victory, finishing second in 1:45.51 to British 20-year-old Henry Jonas, who clocked a meeting record of 1:45.25.
Cathal Doyle produced a strong run to finish third in 1:46.36, the Paris Olympian sharpening up for Friday's Morton Mile in Dublin, where he should be a huge contender for victory.
In the men's 3000m, rising star Nick Griggs made a bold bid to challenge his Irish U-23 3000m record but fell a few seconds short, the Tyrone athlete clocking 7:40.38 to finish fifth, with Britain's Henry McLuckie setting a meeting record of 7:36.81 to take victory.
Eric Favors threw a best of 19.81m in the men's shot put, but the Paris Olympian had to settle for second behind New Zealand's Nick Palmer (19.91m).
Britain's Mabel Akande was best in the women's 100m, powering to victory in 11.36 (2.2m/s) ahead of Mexico's Cecilia Tamayo-Garza (11.47), with Limerick's Ciara Neville producing a strong run back in third of 11.50.
Phil Healy came home seventh in 11.77, but the former Irish record holder had a better showing later in the evening over 200m, finishing third in 24.05.
'It's a rust buster for me,' said Healy. 'I haven't raced since [the World Relays in] China which was almost two months ago so it's great to race and take that on to the rest of the season.'
There was a thrilling finale in the men's mile where USA's Marco Langon powered to victory in 3:54.59, beginning his celebration halfway up the home straight, with Uruguay's Santiago Catrofe second in 3:55.51 and UCD's Lughaidh Mallon smashing the four-minute barrier for the first time in third, clocking 3:56.09.