Cian McPhillips underlines Euro medal potential with classy 800m victory at nationals

Sophie O’Sullivan proved a class apart in the women’s 1500m, breaking the championship record held by her mother Sonia since 1995.

Cian McPhillips: "I’ve been back running properly since May and thankfully it’s been smooth sailing since. It was a bit depressing there for a couple of months, but hopefully this trajectory can continue." Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

With a performance that oozed class and composure, Cian McPhillips claimed the first national outdoor title of his career with a hugely impressive display over 800m in Santry, the Longford native clocking 1:47.76 and looking like he was out for a Sunday jog.

In the absence of chief rival Mark English, who had an issue with his Achilles tendon, McPhillips underlined his medal potential at next month’s European Championships. He drafted behind Raheny’s Cillian Kirwan – who’s run a swift 1:45 this year – as he passed 400m in 51 seconds and then shifted gears on the final turn, putting the race to bed in a flicker.

“I’m getting there, it was a good run,” said McPhillips, who missed long blocks of training in the spring. “It was a very frustrating start to the year. I had to get surgery on my jaw, had to get a cyst out and four teeth removed. I’ve been back running properly since May and thankfully it’s been smooth sailing since. It was a bit depressing there for a couple of months, but hopefully this trajectory can continue.” 

Andrew Coscoran was equally impressive – if pushed a lot harder – in the men’s 1500m, the Dubliner ending Cathal Doyle’s drive for five straight titles by unleashing a devastating kick to win in 3:44.07, with Doyle next best in 3:44.79 and Nick Griggs third in 3:45.02.

“It’s never easy in those tactical races, you just make the moves you think are right,” said Coscoran, who will also harbour medal ambitions at the Europeans. “I had a really good turn of pace over the last 100, which I’ve been working on. I’m flying in training again, I turned things around and I’m in the perfect spot.”

Sophie O’Sullivan proved a class apart in the women’s 1500m, clocking 4:05.62 to break the championship record held by her mother Sonia since 1995. Longtime leader Laura Nicholson was second in 4:08.27, coming up short of the European qualifying standard she’d been chasing.

“I’m excited for the European champs,” said O’Sullivan. “I’ll get back to a bit of training for the next two weeks and hopefully do something good.” 

There were emotional scenes when Ciara Mageean was introduced as a guest of honour and the reigning European 1500m champion – who’s in treatment for stage four bowel cancer – got a rousing reception as she joined hundreds of kids for a run on the track. 

“I can’t say thank you enough, it’s the support of everyone behind me that’s keeping me going,” she said. “I feel so lucky.” 

Benjamin Richardson, who switched his allegiance to Ireland from South Africa last year, powered to victory in the men’s 100m in a championship record of 10.13 (1.3m/s) ahead of last year’s champion Bori Akinola (10.21).

Richardson was born in Waterford and grew up in South Africa and he will be eligible to represent Ireland from August 2027, just in time for the Beijing World Championships. On Saturday, he also took 200m gold in 20.64 (-0.1m/s) ahead of national record holder Sean Aigboboh (20.75). 

“I wanted to come here for the first time and put on a show,” said Richardson. “This year’s prep was just for next year, when I represent Ireland. I’ll be good in Beijing.” 

Nicola Tuthill claimed her fifth national title in the women’s hammer with a best of 70.16m, while Sam Healy took the men’s long jump with 7.61m and Ruby Millet won the women’s long jump with 6.47m.

Ciara Neville claimed her third national title in the women’s 100m with a classy display, the Emerald AC sprinter clocking 11.44 (-1.1m/s) to beat Mollie O’Reilly (11.63), while Lauren Roy was disqualified for a false start but ran under protest, crossing the line second.

Neville’s clubmate Sarah Lavin was dominant in the women’s 100m hurdles, powering to her 11th national title over the barriers in 13.34 (0.3m/s). Adam Nolan took the men’s 110m hurdles title in 15.01 (1.7m/s).

Jack Raftery won his third straight title in the men’s 400m, edging Andrew Egan to gold in 46.12. Rachel McCann came from behind to beat Sophie Becker in the women’s 400m, clocking 52.93 to Becker’s 53.23.

Darragh McElhinney was an impressive winner of the men’s 5000m, the Bantry athlete working with training partner Jack O’Leary before breaking clear with two laps to run, clocking 13:31.71 ahead of O’Leary (13:35.54) and Brian Fay (13:45.29). Niamh Allen of Leevale beat fellow Cork athlete Fiona Everard in the women’s 5000m, turning the screw with a lap to run and clocking 15:26.54.

Madison Mooney left it late to snatch victory in the women’s 800m, the Tullamore athlete battling past Emma Moore to win in 2:04.38. Rising star Elle-Kate McRrae edged victory in the women’s 400m hurdles, the 17-year-old clocking 58.35, while Fintan Dewhirst won the men’s title in 51.76.

On Saturday, Rhasidat Adeleke produced a superb display in the women’s 200m amid significant pressure, the 23-year-old defying a 1.1m/s headwind to clock 22.80 and secure qualification for the Europeans.

“It’s been a rough year so I didn’t really have expectations here,” said Adeleke, who revealed that she strained her hamstring twice this year, each one costing her four weeks’ training. “If I didn’t have the standard, we had a plan in place for that, I was going to be absolutely fine. But it’s just really nice [to qualify]. If there’s one place to do it, it’s here in Morton Stadium, in front of the home crowd.” 

Lauren Roy was second in 23.49, while Sharlene Mawdsley is now a doubt for the Europeans after pulling up 60 metres into the race. The Tipperary sprinter is due to undergo an MRI scan today.