Competitor Sharlene Mawdsley claims victory over Sarah Lavin in the 200m event at the National Championships
Ireland's Sharlene Mawdsley Wins Women's 200m Title at National Athletics Championships
Sharlene Mawdsley clinched the women's 200m title at the 2025 National Senior Athletics Championships, overcoming a strong headwind (-2.6 m/s) to finish first in 23.55 seconds. Sarah Lavin, who had posted the fastest qualifying time in the heats earlier at 23.71 seconds, took silver with a time of 23.80 seconds, while Lauren Roy earned bronze in 23.88 seconds.
Mawdsley, representing Newport AC, held off a close challenge from Lavin, who was representing Emerald AC. The race was a high-level contest between two of Ireland's top sprinters, with Mawdsley narrowly outperforming Lavin to claim gold.
The wind conditions were a notable factor, with a significant headwind slowing times. Despite this, Mawdsley's 23.55 was close to her personal best. Lavin's performance was strong, but she was edged out by Mawdsley.
This victory marks Mawdsley’s first senior outdoor 200m national title and gives her confidence ahead of upcoming international competition, including the World Championships starting August 16.
Meanwhile, Sarah Lavin moved up from the 100m hurdles for the National Athletics Championships. In other events, Niamh Fogarty won the women's shot put with a best of 14.29m.
In the men's events, Cathal Doyle and Nick Griggs qualified for the men's 1,500m final. The men's 1,500m is shaping up to be the race of the weekend, with Andrew Coscoran winning the second heat. Sarah Healy moved down to the 800m and was the fastest qualifier in 2:03.63.
Mark English won heat one of the men's 800m in 1:48.92 and qualified for the final with ease. Cian McPhillips won heat two in 1:52.58 and also qualified for the final. English has eight outdoor titles and lowered his Irish record to 1:43.92 this summer.
David Kenny took the men's 10km title in a new best of 39:39.93. In the field events, Conor Penney won the men's high jump by clearing 2.10m, and Aoife O'Sullivan won the women's high jump, clearing 1.75m. Daphni Doulaptsi Teeuwen won the women's triple jump with a best of 13.05m.
Marcus Lawler won the men's 200m event at the National Athletics Championships. Kate Veale defended her 5km race walk title. Michael Breen, a recent All-Ireland winner with the Tipperary hurlers, was among the first to congratulate Sharlene Mawdsley after her win.
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Sports events were dominated by top athletes during the 2025 National Senior Athletics Championships. Sharlene Mawdsley claimed the women's 200m title, while sports such as men's 1,500m and field events like high jump and triple jump saw exciting competition.
