Diamond League round-up: Rhasidat Adeleke clocks season's best as Sarah Healy continues fine form
'I was just trying to stay in contention the whole time, trying to focus on getting out and not get left behind in the blocks, which I kind of did,' said Adeleke. 'I was working my way back, but I'll take it.'
Adeleke, the Irish 200m record holder via the 22.34 she ran in 2023, was drawn in the outside lane and while she didn't have the gears to mix it with training partner Julien Alfred, who blasted to victory in 21.71, the Dubliner held her form well to finish fourth, her 22.52 improving her season's best from the 22.57 she ran in Florida in April.
'I was trying my best to be competitive and that's the best I could do, especially in a really talented field of short sprinters,' she said.
'I have a background in the short sprints too so I know how to navigate my way around a 200m but yeah, just trying to make sure I was being competitive.'
Read More
Cathal Dennehy: How a Tipp father guided me towards a Kingdom of Stars
It was a step forward in what has been, for Adeleke, a mediocre season to date, the best of her three outings over 400m last month being the 50.42 she ran in Oslo, well down on her national record of 49.07. But her eyes remain fixed on the World Championships in September.
'Just making sure I can stay healthy and stay motivated and disciplined and just continue on the road to Tokyo,' she said of her goals for the coming weeks.
'It is about a month and a half away so just trying to make sure our eyes are focused on that, even though there's so many other things going on.'
Healy solidified her 2025 breakthrough by finishing third in the women's mile, the European indoor 3000m champion smashing her PB with 4:16.25, a little outside Ciara Mageean's national record of 4:14.58.
Ethiopian star Gudaf Tsegay took victory in a national record of 4:11.88, with Olympic silver medallist Jess Hull of Australia second in an Oceanian record of 4:13.68.
'Today was about competing and getting out there and getting some good racing under my belt,' said Healy.
'I could sense where everyone was out there and felt I had the speed for that last lap, although I didn't realise quite how close fourth place was to me so I am very pleased to have held on.'
The Irish women's 4x100m quartet was hugely impressive in breaking the previous national record of 43.80, which had stood since 2018, their 43.73 bringing them home fourth behind Great Britain (41.69), Jamaica (42.50) and France (43.54).
'It is all quite surreal to be honest,' said Leahy of competing at the sold-out London Stadium.
'I was on the first leg and when I walked out I was so overwhelmed, I had tears in my eyes. I have never competed in an environment like this. And to get a national record is unbelievable.'
Lavin said it was 'so important that every girl at home sprinting in Ireland knows that they can try and get on this team, and they can qualify for the major championships in the coming years too. Hopefully we can inspire many people with the performances today.'
Mark English consolidated his recent good form with another fast clocking over 800m, the Donegal athlete finishing seventh in 1:44.07, a race won by Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi in 1:42.00. English came up just shy of his Irish record of 1:43.92, which he ran in Hengelo last month.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘They don't make them like you anymore' hails ex-Ireland star as Paul McGrath & Kevin Moran reunite
TERRY Phelan was among the Irish football fans delighted by a photo of Paul McGrath reuniting with Kevin Moran. Icon McGrath had shared the brilliant photo with his former Ireland centre-half partner to 4 The pair look remarkably good for their age Credit: @paulnumberfive 4 McGrath is the younger of the two at 65 4 While the former Dublin GAA star is 69 4 The early years of Phelan's international career overlapped with both men They've clearly remained close over the years as Back in the here and now, McGrath captioned their most recent snap together: "Great to catch up with an 'old' friend today. He still blames me for getting him sent off in the FA Cup final." Moran did earn the infamous distinction of becoming the first player ever to be dismissed during an FA Cup decider in In the play in question, his fellow Dubliner landed him in deep trouble when McGrath's pass was intercepted at the halfway line. Read More On Irish Football As the last man back, Moran made a desperate sliding tackle to try and win it back but was fractionally late - taking the legs out from under All is mostly forgiven nowadays with the duo grinning from ear to ear in their latest rendezvous. The social media post served as nostalgic gold for Irish football fans - as well as a few former players. Most read in Football 42-times capped Phelan replied: "What a pair of central defenders. "They don't make them like that anymore. I had the great privilege to play alongside them both. Fantastic times." Forest Green Rovers Unveil World's First Fully Vegan Football Kit & Launch Mental Health Initiative Times have of course grown leaner for the Boys in Green since their last World Cup qualification in 2002 and most recent Euros adventure in 2016. Fans will at least learn whether that long wait for another World Cup outing will come to an end before the end of the year as the 2026 tournament qualifiers will be a short, sharp burst from September-November. First up, October 11 and 14 will bring an away tie with Portugal as well as the reverse fixture against Armenia. On November 13 the Aviva Stadium will play host to Like the 1994 edition that Moran and McGrath were at (though the former was a bit-part player at 38 by then), the 2026 competition But unlike its predecessor, the US will be sharing hosting duties this time around with Canada and Mexico owing to the expanded 48-team format.
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Lions player ratings: Versatile Jamie Osborne shines with two-try debut in Melbourne
15 Blair Kinghorn Threw an intercept for Tristan Reilly try but otherwise had a fine game. Super catch/pass for Jamie Osborne's second try, very assured aerially and worked hard to get on the ball regularly. Rating: 8 14 Darcy Graham Packed a lot into his 15 minutes on the pitch before injury. Took a high shot that led to a yellow card for Reilly and finished off a flowing backline move for a try on his debut. A real pity for the livewire Scotland wing who had started brightly. Rating: 7 13 Jamie Osborne A memorable Lions debut capped by a brace of tries, the first demonstrated good composure not to over-chase Owen Farrell's chip, the second a run-in. Great support lines, assured in the tackle, an excellent outing playing centre and then wing. Rating: 8 12 Owen Farrell (capt) Celebrated his 20th Lions appearance by creating a try for Duhan van der Merwe with a lovely show-and-go. Most of his touches, passing and kicking were quality contributions in what was a quietly authoritative display. Rating: 7 READ MORE 11 Duhan van der Merwe A fifth try took him further ahead as the Lions top try-scorer on tour. He was always muscular in possession and if there is a regret is that he doesn't get on the ball often enough. Rating: 7 10 Fin Smith Lovely early break set a tone, great long pass for Graham try but then there were some scruffy moments before he reasserted his quality with several classy interventions that pushed his team forward. Rating: 7 British and Irish Lions scrumhalf Ben White passes from a ruck during the game in Melbourne. Photograph: William West/AFP via Getty Images 9 Ben White Two touches in the build-up to Graham try, threw an intercept that almost cost his team a try late on in the first half. But in the second half he was a key player for his team. Rating: 8 1 Pierre Schoeman Good counter-ruck penalty won, showed up for his carrying and tackling duties but the fact that the Lions scrum coughed up a couple of penalties and a free-kick will disappoint. He found Taniela Tupou a handful in that regard. Rating: 7 2 Jamie George Two lineouts picked off, a crooked throw for another turnover and a forward pass in what should have led to a try for Van der Merwe were the blemishes in what was a hard-working and honest contribution. Rating: 5 3 Finlay Bealham He didn't have the same high-calibre impact that he's enjoyed in some of his previous outings. Conceded a breakdown penalty, got stripped in contact and on occasion a little high in his ball carrying. Rating: 6 4 James Ryan Suffered a yellow card after conceding two penalties in quick succession in the lead-up to Pasifika's second try. He was impressively physical in the collisions and at the breakdown and disrupted the opposition throw several times. Rating: 7 Scott Cummings is tackled by First Nations and Pasifika XV's Darcy Swain. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire 5 Scott Cummings An industrious and athletic display, as the lineout caller he took responsibility to win most of the ball, and showed up well on both sides of the ball from first to last whistle. Rating: 8 6 Jac Morgan The ebb and flow of the game didn't really give him much opportunity to showcase his skills at the breakdown as often as he has done in previous matches. Diligent on both sides of the ball but quieter outing. Rating: 6 7 Josh van der Flier A lovely early line-break and produced a voracious work-rate. It was that graft that saw him outshine his two team-mates in the backrow. A consistent presence in attack and defence, he had a try called back for a knock-on. Rating: 7 8 Henry Pollock A vital breakdown penalty late on, won several lineouts, and managed to get in the face of the opposition, literally on one occasion. But he was quieter than usual in the unfamiliar role of number eight. Rating: 6 Replacements Garry Ringrose enjoyed a superb game as an early replacement for the luckless Graham, playing at outside centre. Thomas Clarkson acquitted himself well on his Lions debut while Gregor Brown also impressed. Rating: 7 Coach Andy Farrell will be pleased with the result but less so with the overall performance, even allowing for the fact that it was a side stitched together in a short time. Not as much food for thought perhaps in selection terms for the second Test. Rating: 7
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
FAI Cup draw sees a repeat of last year's final as well as two local derbies in exciting fixtures
DROGHEDA United will face Derry City in a repeat of last year's final following the draw for the third round of the FAI Cup. 2 Andrew Quinn and Douglas James-Taylor goals allowed Drogs to clinch the FAI Cup last year 2 Shelbourne and St Pat's will likely have the distraction of European football going into their clash But Kevin Doherty's side were The tie is one of four all-Premier Division ties, with a Dublin derby between defending champions There is also a Munster derby between Cork City and Waterford with Bohemians squaring off against Sligo Rovers. Elsewhere, there is a City of the Tribes derby which sees Salthill Devon - the only remaining non-league side in the competition - host neighbours Galway United. Read more on Irish football Shamrock Rovers will have home advantage against Longford Town whilst two all-First Division ties will see Bray Wanderers travel to Finn Harps with Kerry and Cobh Ramblers meeting at Mounthawk Park. Ties will be played the weekend ending Sunday August 17. FAI Cup Third Round Draw: Finn Harps v Bray Wanderers Kerry v Cobh Ramblers Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town Cork City v Waterford Salthill Devon v Galway United St Pat's v Shelbourne Derry City v Drogheda United Bohemians v Sligo Rovers Roma fans mob and serenade Ireland star Evan Ferguson at airport ahead of loan move from Brighton
