Colvert and Cuddihy Impress at National Track and Field Championships

Many of Ireland's top athletes who are bound for the London Olympics are in action this weekend at the Woodie's DIY Senior Track and Field Championships in Morton Stadium Santry.

Irish 400m Record Holder, Joanne Cuddihy won the 200m in convincing style in 23.15 (+2.5 m/s) from Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank) in 23.62 and Steffi Creaner (DCH AC) in 23.71. Although wind assisted this is one of Cuddihy's best 200m times. The Kilkenny woman lines up in the 400m final tomorrow after running the fastest qualifying time of 54.32 in the heats.

Steven Colvert (Crusaders AC) won the Men's 200m in 20.78 from Irish Youth Record Holder Marcus Lawlor in 21.37 and Dara Kervick (CarrickonSuir AC) in 21.46. Colvert ran 20.40 in the heats which was inside the Olympic standard of 20.55 but it was wind assisted (+3 metres per the second/legal is +2). The U23 Record Holder's bid to achieve the Olympic standard of 20.55 is now over having come agonisingly close on two occasions running 20.57.

Maria McCambridge (Letterkenny AC) won the women's 5,000m in 16.02.52 while the Men's 10,000m was won Brian Maher (KCH AC) in 30.17.06 from Gary O'Hanlon (Clonliffe Harriers AC) in 30.33.99.

In the field events, Irish Record Holder, Tori Pena (Finn Valley AC) was one of the first of the day to secure a national title jumping 4.35m in the Women's Pole Vault while Irish Record Holder Kelly Proper won the Long Jump with 6.33 (+4.6).