Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, today launched the Morton Games International Track and Field event at a reception held in Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street. Ireland’s new European 1500m bronze medallist Ciara Mageean was also in attendance at the launch and will compete in the 800m at the Morton Games, which take place on Friday July 22nd.
Speaking at the launch Minister O’Donovan said: “Now in its sixth year the Morton Games has well established itself as one of the premier track and field events in the country. I am delighted to be here launching it in the company of Ciara Mageean, Ireland’s latest European Championship medal winner. The Morton Games is a fantastic opportunity for the Irish public to come and show their support for our athletes and to witness some of Ireland’s top international athletes in action as they compete against athletes from across the globe. It promises to be an exciting night of athletics. I want to acknowledge the contribution made by all involved in the organisation and running of the Morton Games and I wish them and all of the athletes who are participating, a very successful event.”
Morton Games in six short years has proved to be one of the best international athletics fixtures in Ireland and in recent years Morton Games has time after time delivered with some world class athletes coming to compete in what is Dublin city’s only international track and field Meet. This year’s Morton Games will include in addition to Ciara Mageean some of Ireland’s top international athletics stars including Thomas Barr in the 400 hurdles where he will face among an international field the 2013 world champion Jehue Gordon of Trinidad and Tobego.
Also confirmed for Morton Games are the 2015 men and women’s 800m World University champions Shaquille Walker (USA) and Angie Petty (NZD).
Morton Games will also feature Ireland’s men’s 400m team who narrowly missed out on qualification for the Rio Olympics at the European championships on Sunday including Brian Gregan, Craig Lynch and David Gillick.
The Morton Games will commence with a pre programme at 5.30 p.m. with the international athletics commencing at 7 p.m. and concluding with the iconic Morton Mile itself at 9 p.m. It promises to be an exciting night of sport in the Morton Stadium Santry.