Action-Packed Sunday Sees League & National Half Road Glory At Stake

An action-packed Sunday sees Ireland's best clubs battle it out for top honours at the GloHealth National League Final in Tullamore while the top distance runners in the country take to the roads in the national half marathon championships in the Phoenix Park.

Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock) and Sarah Mullighan (DSD) face stiff competition in a bid to retain their national titles in a race held in conjunction with the Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon.

Clohisey won last year in 65:55 and will be up against club mate Freddy Kerron Sittuk (second last year) along with Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders), Mark Hanrahan (Leevale), Mark Christie (Mullingar Harriers) and Olympic marathoner Mark Kenneally (Clonliffe Harriers).

Lizzie Lee (Leevale) is the outstanding favourite in the women's race with a personal best of 74:06 for the distance and is in excellent form. She set a new course record of 33:16 for the at the Dunshaughlin 10k on the 21st of June. Sarah Mulligan won last year in 76:03 and will put up a stern challenge as defending champion.

Meanwhile in Tullamore, Leevale's men and DSD's women will be looking to retain their GloHealth National League team titles. Sam Healy, 5th in the long jump at the European Junior Athletics Championships, is part of a strong Leevale team. Clonliffe Harriers look like the favourites with likes of 400m international Brian Gregan in their line-up. Gregan will run a leg of the 4x400m relay.

DSD 's women's team are interestingly fronted by former Dublin marathon champion Maria McCambridge. She will compete in the 800m and 3,000m. Leevale's Michelle Finn will also compete in the 3,000m as she continues her preparation for the 3,000m steeplechase at the world championships in Beijing later this month.