Sharlene Mawdsley produces yet another breakthrough performance in the Netherlands

Ireland’s Sharlene Mawdsley. Pic: Inpho

Sharlene Mawdsley produced another breakthrough performance to finish second over 400m at the FBK Games in Hengelo, the Netherlands on Sunday, the Tipperary sprinter clocking 50.14 in the Continental Tour Gold meeting.

That brought her home just behind Egypt’s Bassant Hemida, who set a national record of 50.10, with Mawdsley beating two of this year’s World Indoor 400m medallists: Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands (50.60) and Lurdes Gloria Manuel of Czechia (50.76).

Cian McPhillips returned to racing at the same meeting after almost five months out, finishing fifth in the men’s 800m in 1:44.89, a race won by Dutch star Niels Laros in 1:43.83. 

The Longford native, who smashed the Irish 800m record to finish fourth in last year’s world final, missed most of the indoor season following a dental issue, with McPhillips later missing more time due to a knee issue.

Orla Comerford powered to victory in the women’s para 100m in Hengelo, the 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist taking over a tenth of a second off her personal best when taking a superb win in 11.76 (0.6m/s), with Brazil’s Maria Clara da Silva a distant second in 12.12.

Nick Griggs produced a strong effort to finish fourth in the men’s 5000m, the Tyrone native finishing fourth in 13:19.01, a race won by Uganda’s Kenneth Kiprop in 13:13.43.

Cathal Doyle continued his comeback from injury with a strong showing in the men’s 1500m, the Dubliner finishing eighth in 3:34.98, a race won by USA’s Sam Prakel in 3:33.23.

Benjamin Richardson, who recently switched his allegiance from South Africa to Ireland, came home fifth in the men’s 100m in 10.14 (-1.8m/s), which was won by South Africa’s Akani Simbine in 10.08.

Meanwhile, Jake O’Regan (St. John’s AC) and Heather Murphy (St. Michael’s AC) stormed to victory in the National 5-Mile Championships in the Phoenix Park. 

O’Regan hit the line in 24:27 to add this crown to previous national titles over 10K (2023) and the half marathon (2025). Dylan Casey (Ennis Track) followed him home in 24:38, with Gerry Forde (Kilkenny City Harriers) completing the podium in 24:48.

“Delighted with the win, it was tough out there,” said O’Regan. “I’d say if it was a couple of hours later it might have been even more difficult in the heat, but it’s great to get the weather for it. There’s a tricky hill at 4K and Dylan opened a small gap there, but thankfully I was able to reel it back in, put the head down, and with a mile to go I never looked back.” 

Murphy clocked 27:24 to take the women’s title ahead of Nakita Burke (27:44) and Fiona Roche (28:47).

“I’m very happy with how it went,” said Murphy. “The goal was to win, so I’m delighted I came out and did it. The incline coming up Chesterfield was tough in the heat, but I kept my head down and told myself to keep working. I’m hoping to come back for the National 10 Mile next month, and we’ll see how the rest of the season goes from there.” 

Ennis Track took gold in the men’s team event, with a cumulative time of 1:42:24, with Raheny Shamrock winning the women’s event with 1:32:59.