Latest updates from Morton Games, as July 24th looms large on the horizon:
World Champion Barr to Light up Santry
Ireland’s Thomas Barr was simply sensational in Korea today (July 10th) as he won the World Universities Games 400 hurdles title in a fast 48.78. This was Thomas Barr’s first international medal. Once again he played to his strengths sealing the coming off the last hurdle to take precious gold.
Thomas Barr will be Ireland’s star attraction at July 24th’s Morton Games and will ensure that the Meet gets off to a flying start as the 400 hurdles is the opening event on the international programme at 7.10 p.m.
In a race of champions also confirmed is 2012 European champion Rhys Williams (GBR) along with Michael Cochrane (NZD) the 2010 New Zealand 110m hurdles champion and the already confirmed Quincy Downing (USA), a 4th place finisher at the NCAA 2015 Championships and winner of the NCAA 4 x 400 relay for LSU.
Speed River ready to rush into Dublin
Speed River New Balance TC are heading to the Morton Games. The Canadian Club are sending a number of athletes to take part in the middle distance races.
The men`s team of three will all go in the Albie Thomas 3000. Ross Proudfoot, pictured, is a sub 4 minute miler (3.59.62 at last year`s Cork City Sports), with a 7.57.01 3000 pb and an impressive 13.38.32 5000 best set at Palo Alto in May of this year. Chris Dulhanty has being focusing more on the steeple chase this season and clock a pb of 8.41.29 in May. The trio is completed by 1500 man Jeremy Rae, an athlete with an impressive CV: 5th place in 2013 NCAA 1500 and 2nd in the 2013 World Versities, to his name and a 1500 pb of 3.38.29.
Also making her return to Morton Games is Speed River`s Rachel Aubry will will once again run in the 800. Rachel has been in very fine form this season and during the week ran a new pb of 2.01.98 in the semi finals of the World University Games in Gwangju qualifying for the final where she placed 5th, one place in front of Ireland`s Ciara Everard.
Cutts coming back for another record attack
Morton Games Pole Vault Luke Cutts (GBR) will return to Morton Games for the 3rd successive time on Friday July 24th. Cutts won last year`s competition with a best of 5.50m, the previous year he was joint first with a joint stadium record of 5.56m. In less than two weeks time he will aim to make that stadium record his own and having twice this year succeed at 5.60m, he may well do it.
Also confirmed is Welshman Paul Walker, an athlete with a 5.45 pb for his 2nd Morton Games and Ireland`s top PV men Ian Rogers, the reigning National Champion, multi times National Champion David Donegan and up and coming stars Thomas Houlihan, Peter O`Brien and newly crowned National junior Champion Conor Bermingham.
The Pole Vault competition gets underway at 6.00pm.