The indoor 400m is renowned as a full-contact sport, with Thomas Barr feeling the full brunt of it yesterday in Abbotstown, as his bid for the Irish indoor title was shunted aside by rival Andrew Mellon.

On a day that celebrated the past, it was hard not to look to the future. Yesterday’s National Athletics Awards in Blanchardstown may have brought together many current and former greats, but it wasn’t a nostalgic reflection that left a strong sense of optimism.

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As weekends go, this was as good as it gets for Irish athletics: Two medals, five athletes, and one bright future ahead.

Ciara Neville (Emerald) kept her cool to clinch gold after a poor start in the women’s 60m while Phil Healy (Bandon) secured the European standard for the 400m on a weekend full of back stories and close finishes at the Irish Life Health National Indoor Championships in Abbotstown, Dublin.

Ciara Neville’s life in the fast lane seemed to be running on fumes long before the Castletroy teenager had even gotten into top gear but a hard edge and support now sees her on the cusp of her first senior international championship.

Michaela Walsh once again ensured the field events took centre stage at the GloHealth National Junior and U23 Championships in Tullamore on Saturday, the Swinford thrower scoring a double in the junior women’s shot put and hammer.

Ciara Neville won gold yesterday in the 100m final at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Sonia O’Sullivan returns to the Leevale Sports today for the first time since 1987 when she was aiming to qualify for the European Junior Track and Field Championships.

There’s one day in the athletics calendar that reminds those of us who love the sport of all the reasons we love it — the All-Ireland Schools’ Championships.

Not even a missing spike key could deter Mary Cullen from dominating the Woodie’s DIY Inter Club Cross Country Championships in Charleville Estate in Tullamore yesterday.