Rhasidat Adeleke ‘forever grateful' as Irish hero reveals injury led to ‘lingering setbacks' and makes promise to fans
National Senior Track and Field Championships
this weekend.
The Tallaght speedster, 22,
Advertisement
1
Rhasidat Adeleke is out of the National Track & Field Championships
Credit: Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile
In a pair of tweets, the 2024 Olympian revealed that a previous injury has deviated to further issues that left her no other choice.
However, she vowed to get some "Morton magic" at the championships next year.
Adeleke posted: "Unfortunately, I won't be competing at the National championships this weekend.
"I've attended nationals every year since 2021 & there's nothing like competing in-front of a home crowd.
Advertisement
Read More on Rhasidat Adeleke
"An injury I had earlier this season has transcended into additional lingering setbacks so I'll be supporting from afar.
"I'll hopefully be back to get some Morton magic next year. I'm forever grateful for the all the support.
"Best of luck to everyone racing."
While Adeleke's absence will come as a blow for fans, there will still be plenty to look forward to at the Morton Stadium.
Advertisement
Most read in Football
Many athletes opting to compete in different disciplines than they would normally.
They include World indoor pentathlon silver medalist Kate O'Connor who will be in action in javelin, shot put and long jump.
Sarah Healy who won the Rome Diamond League 1,500m race runs in the 800m where her rivals will include Sophie O'Sullivan.
Other
Advertisement
Day tickets are €15 with two-day tickets costing €25 with under-16s going free.
Adeleke's statement comes after fellow Olympian Daniel Wiffen had revealed he had
The Olympic gold medalist has chosen to withdraw as he continues to recover from appendicitis which he had in June.
The condition impacted his performance in Wednesday's final of the 800m, in which the
Advertisement
And in a statement through
Wiffen said: "Just to let everyone know, I have medically withdrawn from the World Championships in Singapore due to the appendicitis that I suffered from in June.
"Thank you for all the support in last night's final.
"I wasn't physically at my best, but I will be working towards getting back to full fitness and winning shape soon."
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
9 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘It still gives you goosebumps' – Orla Byrne hoping Meath LGFA rekindle ‘special feeling' from famous All-Ireland final
ORLA BYRNE cannot help but think about Meath's amazing 2021 breakthrough as the Royals prepare for another TG4 All-Ireland SFC final against Leinster rivals Dublin. It is almost four years since the game took place but former Meath star Byrne admits she still gets 'goosebumps' whenever she recalls how the counties' ladies won their first senior crown. Advertisement 2 Meat beat Dublin in the 2021 All-Ireland final Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 2 Former player Orla Byrne is hoping they can rekindle that feeling Credit: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile Given they had only secured a national intermediate title in the previous season, they were big underdogs heading into a top-tier showpiece clash with the five-in-a-row-chasing Dubs at Yet with Byrne playing a pivotal role at right half-forward, Eamonn Murray's charges pulled out all the stops to claim a magnificent 1-11 to 0-12 victory. Meath's renewal of acquaintances with the Jackies in tomorrow's Brendan Martin Cup decider at She beamed: 'Every time I think of it, it still gives you goosebumps. Advertisement Read More on LGFA 'You still nearly get emotional thinking about that day and what we achieved. I think it was because we were such underdogs. We had come up from intermediate the previous year. 'No one had really given us a chance. We thought we had proved ourselves as to what we were capable of but there was still a lot of doubts heading into the final. 'When I think back to those final few seconds and the hooter going off in Croke Park when we beat 'I'd love to experience it again, it was a special feeling and one I'll never forget. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football 'We all have such special memories from that time. I'm hoping the girls will be able to experience that again now on Sunday.' That historic 2021 win was made all the better for Byrne by the presence of her sister Kate on the Royals' panel for the game. 'Aged like milk on a windowsill in July' - Watch BBC's GAA pundits ALL predict Donegal to beat Kerry The gifted siblings from Duleek/Bellewstown had experienced some difficult days early in their Meath careers so it was extra sweet when they eventually reached the top of the ladies football ladder. Orla added: 'There is only a year and a half between myself and Kate so we would have played a lot of underage football together as well. We played most of our careers together with Meath. Advertisement 'It was really special that myself and Kate got to experience good days in the last couple of years of our career playing with Meath, got to enjoy the success after putting in the years of disappointment. 'Every year committing again and again, even though it was tough and we weren't getting much joy out of it, it was really nice to finally be able to say we achieved the ultimate dream of playing in Croke Park initially and then obviously winning an All-Ireland in Croke Park.' STEPPING BACK After appearing off the bench in a NFL Division 1 final victory over But in the wake of those successes, she opted to bring her inter-county journey to an end. Advertisement Although a career break from her job as a primary school teacher at Réalt na Mara GNS in Donacarney came further down the line — she is due to make a return to that post in September — Byrne acknowledged that a number of factors came into play when she decided to step back from Meath duty. She said: 'After 2021, I just didn't feel ready to go because it had been such a successful year and a year that I really enjoyed. I said I'd give it one more year. 'After the 2022 season, it was in the back of my head, 'Will I give it another go?' 'I was very much on the fence for a couple of months right into pre-season . I think the time was right. It was probably a mixture of reasons. Just mainly I had put so much of my life into playing with Meath, had put a lot of stuff in my own personal life to the side. Advertisement 'It is only probably when you step away and you come out from it that you realise how much time you can give to other things. 'I left in 2022, I went back to teaching and then took my career break the following year. I'm happy and I feel like it was the right time for me to step away.' ON EDGE While Byrne acknowledged it was a big change when she transitioned from being a Meath player to a supporter, she likes being able to relax more as a spectator. Still, she will be anxious for her former team-mates and the side's newer additions to get over the line in Croker tomorrow. Advertisement The Royals have already faced Dublin at HQ in 2025. The Leinster final on May 11 was held there as part of a double bill with the men's decider between Louth and Meath. Shane McCormack's outfit fell to a 2-13 to 1-12 defeat after leading for large stretches of the game. But even though there was a sense that it was one that got away, Byrne believes Meath showed that day they are more than a match for the Sky Blues. She added: 'I know the girls were quite disappointed. I definitely think they felt they left it behind. They were dominating most of that game and I do feel like after that game, they know they have the beating of Dublin. 'They're well capable of doing it. Just hopefully they can bring it all on the day and put in the performance they'll need to beat them.' Advertisement
The Irish Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Dublin boss Paul Casey admits Meath ‘caught us on the hop' in famous All-Ireland final but won't be ‘motivating factor'
PAUL CASEY insists that the failure of Dublin's five-in-a-row bid will not serve as an added incentive to prevent another Royal coronation tomorrow. Having occupied the throne for four years on the spin, the Dubs were odds-on favourites to prevail when they met Meath in the 2021 All-Ireland ladies SFC final. 3 Meath made history by winning the 2021 All-Ireland Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 3 It ended Dublin's quest for five in a row Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 3 Paul Casey insisted that won't motivate them in this weekend's final Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Yet just nine months after they sealed promotion to the senior ranks, the Royals caused a seismic upset to claim the Brendan Martin Cup. The neighbours will contest the After serving on the backroom ticket, the pair were promoted last December following Mick Bohan's decision to step down. Reflecting on 2021, Casey said: 'Meath very much came out of nowhere, having won the intermediate and having won Division 2. Read More on LGFA 'We hadn't the luxury of playing them even in the Leinster Championship that year because of the Covid restrictions, so they very much, I suppose if you like, possibly caught us on the hop. 'It was just that unfamiliarity. They were a team that obviously improved massively. 'When they beat 'We were a team that was only used to winning matches then. But I think the defeats we've had over the years — that year, the following year to Most read in GAA Football After Meath successfully defended their All-Ireland title, Dublin returned to the summit in 2023. They are now hotly fancied to regain the game's ultimate prize by seeing off Meath for the FOURTH time this year. The Dubs were victorious when the sides met in the National League, before coming out on top again when they crossed paths twice in the Leinster Championship. 'Aged like milk on a windowsill in July' - Watch BBC's GAA pundits ALL predict Donegal to beat Kerry Casey continued: 'I don't think 2021 will be any motivating factor. 'When you come to All-Ireland final day, you want to win the game. 'Meath will be the exact same. I'm sure they're not looking back and saying they have to get revenge for the Leinster final. You're playing on the biggest day of the year — you're going out to try and win the game. That's motivation enough for any team.' Dublin's aggregate margin of victory in their three meetings with Meath in 2025 was 27 points. However, Casey knows that Shane McCormack's side will be on a high after ousting All-Ireland champions He said: 'They're definitely a team that has improved an awful lot as the Championship has gone on. That's what happens — the longer you stay in the Championship, obviously fitness-levels increase, you're beginning to peak fitness-wise. 'But we see ourselves as the same — that we're improving as the championship goes on. 'We're expecting a massive, massive battle from them. They've some excellent players. They're not a one, two or three-person team. They have fantastic players all over the pitch. 'We know from 2021 when they came here and beat us in the All-Ireland final that they won't fear playing Dublin on the biggest day of the year.' Casey was a member of the panel when Dublin won the Sam Maguire in 2011. The seven-time Leinster SFC winner called time on his playing career at the end of the following season. Speaking at HQ ahead of tomorrow's All-Ireland final, he added: 'There's going to be a good crowd here on Sunday and it's only right the girls get to experience that. 'What I've seen over my years involved with the girls, and obviously playing myself, is the commitment and the lengths they will go to to better themselves and make sure they're in their absolute peak physical condition. 'They've brought the game to a new level. They put in the exact same effort as any men's team.'
Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Costigan focused on job at hand ahead of World Cup
One year ago, Amee-Leigh Costigan was in Paris representing Ireland at the Olympics in women's rugby 7's. 12 months on and Costigan is on the cusp of representing Ireland again on a world stage at the women's Rugby World Cup in England. Not every athlete gets a chance to be an Olympian playing in a World Cup and to complete all that in just over a year is some feat for the Tipperary woman. And now heading into the World Cup warm-up match against Scotland in Cork, Amee-Leigh Costigan spoke about the impact becoming an Olympian had on her as a rugby player. Amee-Leigh Costigan at the Olympics for Team Ireland. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 'It's probably two similar mindsets for me. They're two huge pinnacle occasions in both sports and I am so grateful to be able to say that last summer, I got to go to the Olympics and this summer I'm preparing to put my hand up for a selection for a World Cup. 'The Olympics inspired me to be a better player, in every game that I play, ever session that I play. I think it's had a good effect on my mindset around how I want to be like the best version of myself on pitch and off pitch.' Vicky Elmes Kinlan, left, and Amee-Leigh Costigan of Ireland dejected after their side's loss against Scotland. Pic: Paul Devlin/Sportsfile This Scotland game offers Ireland a chance to get one back after their disappointing defeat in the Six Nations. Ireland were gutted with their performance in Edinburgh in April where, even with the squad ravaged by injury, they performed well below their standards and loss to a try with the last play of the game. Scotland have already played a game this summer, losing to Italy 34-29 in Viadana last week and have made six changes for this match as they're looking to finish their warm-up games on a high. Meanwhile these games are ultimately in place to help Ireland prepare for the World Cup after a long nine-week training camp, these games against Scotland and Canada next week are the last chance for players to put up their hands and get a spot in the squad before their World Cup opener against Japan in just over three weeks' time. Ireland player celebrate at the final whistle of their WXV1 Pool match against New Zealand. Pic: Rich Lam / World Rugby via Sportsfile Ireland are a bit of an unknown entity heading into this World Cup. From not qualifying for the last one in 2021 Ireland have risen rapidly back up to the top end of the World Rankings and have a win over defending World Cup champions New Zealand last year. While some from the outside would say Ireland have a free hit next month, word from both coach and players would say otherwise. Head Coach Scott Bemand and lock Edel McMahon both have stated the aim of reaching the final four and a match in London. Costigan as one of the leaders of this Ireland team opened up about a speech she gave the group at the beginning of the training block ahead of the World Cup, citing the Olympics and the challenges the event offers to athletes as humans. Amee-Leigh Costigan. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 'At the start of the very first block I stood up and spoke about what that Olympics experience felt like because it is going into a World Cup prep and that occasion would be just as big. 'So, I voiced my opinions on it and how I just looked at trying to be myself as much as possible and not to change too many things because you come out of it the exact same person you came into it. Yes, you get a title of being an Olympian, but at the end of the day I'm still Leigh. Like I could still walk out the door as Leigh, a normal person, a rugby player for my country. I think that's probably the message I put across.' Amee Leigh Costigan at the Olympics. Pic: Hugo Pfeiffer/Sportsfile And while Costigan an Ireland are out there to do a job, the winger was also quick to highlight that the Ireland players need to also soak the experience of being in the World Cup. 'Also, the other message was around how big of an occasion it is and to embrace it. Don't let it overwhelm you because of the huge occasion it is because it can be like it can be very, very overwhelming.' Amee-Leigh Costigan celebrates scoring a try. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady 'I remember going into the village and we had the entire day to just walk in there and get our bearings, understand everything and I think that'll be really good when the squad heads over to England that we will have time to digest it all then digest this feeling of getting to the World Cup and how it actually feels and switching on. 'We're not there just to show up, but we really want to put in a performance. We want to make Ireland proud.'
