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Irish Examiner
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'Will this be my last one? Very well could be. That decision isn't made yet' - Phil Healy savouring final lap
Immediately after collecting 200m bronze, Phil Healy darted from the podium and down towards the final bend of the MTU track. Unbeknownst to Healy until she spotted them in between races, college housemates from her UCC days had shown up at Wednesday's Cork City Sports to offer support. Spread across West Cork, Waterford, Australia, and New Zealand, full reunions are rare enough occurrences any more. 'I used to live with them from 2013-17. I didn't know they were coming, so it is wonderful to see them here because they have followed my journey the whole way,' said the 30-year-old sprinter. The journey hasn't very many laps remaining. The journey, in all likelihood, is in its final lap. Phil's Cork City Sports debut was as a 17-year-old back in 2012. Of the 10 editions since, she's missed just one. It was on this track seven years ago that she became the first Irish woman to crack the 23-second barrier for 200m. Only Rhasidat Adeleke has since bettered that clocking. Wednesday may well have been Healy's last Cork City Sports outing. This track season might well be her last. Throwing out such forecasting statements is in no way an attempt to retire the former Irish record holder over 100m and 200m. It is simply listening to her words and attempting to pull meaning from them. 'I've come to Cork City Sports every single year it is on. No matter what shape I am in, I just love coming out here and racing. I am not doing Morton Games on Friday, but I wanted to do Cork,' she tells the Irish Examiner once the college reunion is complete and all group pictures taken. 'I know I am at the tail end of my career, and I know I am never going to get these home meets very often. I travel all over Europe to bronze and silver category meets, but to have your own supportive crowd in your own home city, it is very, very special. 'To have family and friends here, a great quality field, and a meet that for me is so enjoyable, it is just so special to come out here knowing that I've done so much in my career to date. Will this be my last one? Very well could be. That decision isn't made yet. But I obviously have to savour every single one that I do.' She reveals that Paris last summer was very nearly the last lap. With her 2023 season and form having been scuppered because of the autoimmune disorder Hashimoto's disease, she rebounded in 2024 to reclaim her spot on the 4x400m relay team. The 50.94 she produced on the third leg of the Olympic final was the fastest of her career. And yet she found herself unable to hang up the spikes when they were within .18 of a medal. Too close to go now. Another lap, another push for a world podium. 'I've done every single major championship and been in the finals, and I suppose you are never going to beat fourth in an Olympic Games. Realistically, I've far more years done in my career than what's left. It is about going out on my terms. 'I did debate last year whether I was going to continue or not. For me always, Paris was going to be the end, but when you come fourth in an Olympic Games, it is very easy to continue. 'And so, it is just about coming out, enjoying it, and obviously you always have that competitive streak and you want to make the relay squads and championships. Before, maybe I took some of them for granted that you were automatically on them, whereas now you are fighting for your spot. 'I have been very lucky injury-wise, just had the broken foot, so I've gone to a major championship every year for 13-years. It does take its toll mentally and physically, but I want to end my career enjoying it and going out on my terms, knowing I've done it all. And if I stop right now, I have.' But she has no intention of stopping right now. Her 11.77 and 24.05 clockings on Wednesday were rust-busters after two months away from competitive racing. Her annual homecoming appearance done, full focus herein is on the 400m and holding onto her relay spot for the Tokyo World Championships in September. Adeleke's withdrawal from Friday's Monaco Diamond League is slightly concerning for both the individual herself and Irish relay aspirations. But the fact remains; if the Irish quartet show up in the Japanese capital injury-free and in-form, there's a medal there for them. 'What we have done as a team is mind-blowing and what the team can achieve is crazy. That was the same team that finished sixth at the 2022 Europeans [in 3:26.23]. Then to come fourth in an Olympic Games, the quickest time [3:19.90] to never medal at an Olympics. 'The squad is going to go on and on over the next few years, so Ireland will never again go to a major championship just to make up the numbers. 100% a medal is there for the taking when everything comes right and obviously everybody has to be at the top of their game. We got out there to perform, and if a medal happens, a medal happens.'
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'Pursuing a family doesn't mean your own ambitions are finished' - Niamh Allen's productive maternity leave on track
The starting gun had just fired on the interview when a legend stepped onto the track and into our vicinity. A forgivable false start was thus recorded. Sonia O'Sullivan walked over to congratulate Niamh Allen on a fine 3,000m-effort at Wednesday's Cork City Sports. The latter was completely taken aback by this legend of the track seeking her out. Sonia inquired as to her race plans for the remainder of summer. Niamh, in reply but not in reply to the question, called her 'an absolute legend' and 'so inspirational'. The same as Sonia, we too had sought out Niamh shortly after the 3,000m. That she hadn't been among the podium placers didn't matter. The 30-year-old Leevale athlete had gone through the first lap 15th of 15 runners. She proceeded to pick them off one at a time. Crossing the line fifth, her 8:51.08 represented a 35-second improvement on her now demolished lifetime best from 2022. The 35-second improvement hiked her from 92nd to eighth on the Irish all-time list. The latest and last act of a phenomenal maternity leave chapter. The dual role of new-mom and an athlete reaching new heights continues to be perfectly balanced. 'I'm going back to work next week in my HR career, so to be honest, I saw running as something to keep my sanity and something for me while on maternity leave. It has paid off. Something is just working, I don't know what it is,' says an exhausted Allen. '[Running and competing] is not the be-all-and-end-all. It is a lovely plus. I have definitely taken the pressure off, so it is now more fun as well. 'We might need to adjust training as I head back to work. But it has been a good ride. Packed a lot in on maternity leave, so hopefully we can continue.' Niamh was late to running. Only in her Leaving Cert year did she take up jogging as a means of breaking from the books. The Blackrock native ran a 33-minute 10k and 72-minute half marathon during a breakthrough-ish 2023. Pregnancy would in no way derail that progress. Last November, and just 11-and-a-half weeks after Lily arrived into the world, mom raced to silver at the National Cross Country Championships. A week later, she was 11th and the first Irish woman home at European Cross. That superb pair of runs represented the opening paragraphs of her maternity leave. Much more was packed in over the following seven months. Her 31.44 to win the National 10km Championships moved her to third on the all-time Irish list, behind only Sonia and Catherina McKiernan. She won the John Treacy 10-mile in Dungarvan in a new course record of 52:51. She won the Cork City half-marathon last month in 1:10.06. At the Midleton five-mile a couple of weeks earlier, she was the first competitor - male or female - across the painted strip. 'There are always going to be people that are naysayers, but the majority are supportive, they think barriers are being broken by me and all the moms who are coming back and continuing on their running career,' Allen says of balancing the miles and constant nappy changing. 'Because you want to pursue a family doesn't mean that you and your ambitions are finished. It is just about being more flexible and better time management. If I can be inspirational to Lily, even just for pursuing something I want to and have goals, that is all that matters to me.' The weather was such at Bishopstown on Wednesday that Lily stayed at home with granny. She won't have long to wait for another chance to cheer on mammy, Niamh expecting to toe the line at next weekend's National 10-mile championships in the Phoenix Park. 'I have definitely found that since I stopped breastfeeding exclusively, that has helped [with my running and energy levels] and just having a bit more support from family members who are able to take her, so it is not all on me, is definitely a bit easier. 'I wouldn't change anything. I would 100% do it again in time. If it is encouragement to anyone to give it a go and to keep thinking you can achieve things, even if you do want to have a family as well.' This particular mammy still has plenty she wants to achieve. 'Long-term, there is the LA Olympics. I'm 30 now, I'll be 33 by then. If it happens, great. If not, I'll just keep working on something else.'
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Nicola Tuthill produces career second best throw to take victory at Cork City Sports
Nicola Tuthill produced the second biggest throw of her career to take victory at the 71st edition of the Cork City Sports on Wednesday night, the Bandon thrower launching a 70.65m effort. 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.' Nicola Tuthill of Bandon AC competing in the women's hammer throw at Cork City Sports in MTU. Pic: Chani Anderson. 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.
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Nicola Tuthill sets winning mood with hammer victory at the Cork City Sports
It didn't take long for Nicola Tuthill to set the mood at the 71st edition of the Cork City Sports on Wednesday evening, the Bandon woman winning the hammer to delight the home crowd at the MTU Stadium and set a clear marker for the weeks ahead. The 21-year-old, representing UCD AC, threw 70.65 metres in the fifth round early in the programme, the only 70m throw of the evening and not far off her Irish under-23 record of 71.71 set last month. Reece Ademola from Leevale AC also shone in the field, the 22-year-old leaping out to 7.82m in the fifth round, briefly holding the lead before ending up third. It was his longest jump in over a year, Britain's Stephen Mackenzie wining with his final round jump of 7.89. Ireland's fastest man Israel Olatunde, back from winter training in Florida, had to settle for the runner-up spot in the 100m as Coby Hilton from the US scored another Cork win in 10.30 seconds, Olatunde clocking 10.36. READ MORE Britain's Megan Keith dominated the women's 3,000m in 8:38.37, the 23-year-old breaking the meeting record of 8:38.99 set by Sonia O'Sullivan 23 years ago. Niamh Allen produced another breakthrough run on the track, the 30-year-old improving her best by over half a minute when clocking 8:51.08 in fifth. In the men's 3,000m, Henry Mcluckie from the US kicked for the victory in 7:36.81, Nick Griggs also tuning up for his European Under-23 challenge to clock 7:40.38 in fifth. Former European Under-20 champion Cian McPhillips is also enjoying a return to form after injury, although timed his effort over the 800m a little too late, finishing second in 1:45.51 behind Britain's Henry Jonas (1:45.25). Cathal Doyle, moving down from 1,500m, nailed third in 1:46.36. Phil Healy was back on the podium in taking third in the 200m, clocking 24.05 (+2.3 m/s wind), with Mexican record-holder Cecilia Tamayo-Garza winning in 23.37. Tuthill hopes to bring her excellent hammer form to the European Under-23 Championships in Norway next week, then the World University Games in Germany, having won gold at the European Throwing Cup back in March. She's also on track to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo in September. 'Delighted to get the win her3 in Cork, and my consistency is getting better,' Tuthill said. 'Hopefully there is more to come over the next few weeks, starting at the European Under-23's'. Conor Callinan provided another home win, the Leevale athlete taking the win in the pole vault with his best of 4.92. The men's mile was won by Marco Langon in a best of 3:54.59, the US athlete a student at Villanova University where he is coached by Cork's Marcus O'Sullivan. Ireland's Lughaidh Mallon ran a 3:56.09 to finish third.
Irish Examiner
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Local heroes Healy and Tuthill lead the Irish charge at Cork City Sports
There had been lingering uncertainty in recent times as to the future of the Cork City Sports, but that great cornerstone of Irish athletics is once again back on its marks for its 71st edition at the MTU Athletics Stadium this evening. Among the Olympians leading the home charge are Cork athletes Phil Healy and Nicola Tuthill, while Eric Favors, Cathal Doyle and Marcus Lawler will also be hoping to impress as they look towards the Tokyo World Championships in September. The men's 100m is one of the stronger events, featuring four men who have run 10.1 seconds, among them Irish record holder Israel Olatunde. The 23-year-old has a best this year of 10.23 and will be looking to edge closer to his national record of 10.12 in Cork. Olatunde moved to Florida last year to train with Olympic champion Noah Lyles and after a sub-par indoor season, he's been shifting through the gears this summer. Lawler, an Olympian in Tokyo, will look to challenge his 100m PB of 10.28. USA's Coby Hilton, a semi-finalist at the World Indoors this year, is among his in-form opponents, having run 10.24 recently. Japan's Ippei Takeda, who recently ran 10.23, will also feature, along with Australia's Caleb Law, a 10.17 man at his best, and Ian Kerr of the Bahamas, who's run 10.14. Healy will attempt a sprint double and in the 100m, she and fellow Cork sprinter Lucy-May Sleeman will face Cecilia Tamayo Garza, who has a wind-aided best of 11.10 and who set the Mexican 200m record of 22.45 back in 2023. Also in the field is Britain's Mabel Akande, who has run 11.27, and Nigeria's Knowledge Omovoh, who has a best of 11.26. Nicola Tuthill will have lots of support in the women's hammer and the Bandon athlete has been in outstanding form of late, smashing her Irish U-23 record with 71.71m in Finland. She will take on Australia's Lauren Bruce, Norway's Beatrice Llano and Estonia's Anna Maria Ceh, who have all thrown over 73 metres. The men's 3000m features Australia's Stewart McSweyn, who has a blazing personal best of 7:28.02. The Irish challenge is led by rising star Nick Griggs, the former European U-20 champion who will look to challenge his Irish U-23 record of 7:36.59. Having been ruled out for several months this year due to an infection in his knee, the 20-year-old came back to racing with a bang last month, clocking a 3:55.97 mile in Belfast. Cathal Doyle will drop down to 800m and test his speed against international rivals, including British duo Thomas Randolph and Henry Jonas, who have both run 1:44. Cian McPhillips will be a strong contender for the Irish, the Longford athlete clocking 1:45.33 indoors back in February and opening his outdoor season with a third-placed finish at the recent European Team Championships. The men's mile features several athletes who have run below 3:55, including Australia's Matthew Ramsden who has a best of 3:51.23, and Ronan McMahon-Staggs, who grew up in California but switched his allegiance to Ireland in 2023. He ran a mile in 3:51.85 in Seattle earlier this year, where he studies at the University of Washington. There will be lots of support behind Leevale's Charlie O'Donovan, who clocked a mile best of 3:56.96 in May, while James Gormley, a 3:53.70 miler, should also feature strongly for the home contingent. The action begins at 5.30pm with the women's hammer and concludes with the men's mile at 9pm. Tickets are available on Eventbrite from €17 for adults, €11.70 for students and OAP's, with free ground admission for U-12s. It will be live streamed on European Athletics' YouTube channel.
