Lavin lands her sixth indoor title

SARAH LAVIN was the standout performer on day one of the 123.ie National Senior Indoor Championships at the National Indoor Arena yesterday.

The Emerald AC star secured her sixth indoor 60m hurdles title with a stunning 7.91 which equalled her personal best to continue her remarkable run of consistent performances in 2024.

‘I’d have loved to have seen a 7.90 or 7.89 today, but a 7.91 at home and to continue my consistent run heading into a World Championships is a good place to be. The 60m hurdles world record was broken again last night and the girls are bringing amazing performances this season, so I’ll have to be at my best heading to Glasgow,’ said Lavin (right).

‘Derval’s (O’Rourke) national record is 7.84 from when she won the world title and it’s such a high bar, but obviously I want it and I know it’s going to take perfect race to get there’.

The returning Phil Healy (Bandon AC) looked back to her best in taking the 200m gold medal in 23.37.

Speaking after the race, she said: ‘I felt like I didn’t get out as well in the final as the earlier heat, but it was faster on the clock so that’s a good sign in terms of how strong I felt. It’s been a very clean winter for me and things are back in a good place.

The men’s 60m hurdles final saw young Adam Nolan (St Laurence O’Toole AC) continue his rapid rise as he claimed his first senior indoor title with 8.02.

The men’s 200m provided the finish of the day with defending champion Mark Smyth (Raheny Shamrock AC) losing narrowly to a blistering final 20 metres from Robert McDonnell (Galway City Harriers) who crossed in a winning time of 21.05. Leevale’s Colin Doyle took the bronze medal in 21.42.