A top class field is expected for the inaugural DSD Games, supported by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, which will take place this Sunday, 18th June at DSD’s new world-class 400m track in Rathfarnham.
The event will play host to over 400 entries on the day, including some of Ireland’s best athletes, many of whom are seeking qualifying standards for International Championships.
There will also be a number of Para-athletes and Masters athletes competing.
There are over 50 entries for the Men’s 100m, and 10 of those competing can run under 10.66 seconds, including Bori Akinola (UCD) and Colin Doyle (Leevale). Joseph Ojewumi (Tallaght) was also expected to take part but has been called up to the Irish Team to contest the European Team Championship in Krakow, Poland.
The Women’s 100m also contains some of Ireland’s fastest athletes including Sarah Leahy (Killarney Valley), Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank AC) and Lucy-May Sleeman (Leevale). Joan Healy, like Joseph Ojewumi, was entered but has also got the call-up to Team Ireland.
Field Events are well represented with two of Ireland’s current best female High-Jumpers entered: Aoife O’Sullivan (Liscarroll AC) and Siun Quinn (Brothers Pearse).
In addition, Ciara Sheehy (Emerald AC) is competing in the Shot Put and with 14.37m PB thrown a few weeks ago is edging ever closer to the European U23 qualifying standard of 14.50m.
Up and coming Javelin thrower Ailbhe Gordon (Greystones & District) is also down to compete (PB 40.47m).
The Irish Womens Masters W50 team will also be looking to set a new 4x100m National Record.
In the Mens Long-Jump amongst the entries are four men who can jump over 6.92m including Colm Bourke (Raheny) who has jumped 7.58m.
Matthew Behan (Crusaders AC), a three time National Outdoor Champion is competing in the 110m Hurdles.
There is a large entry in the Mens 1500m including five athletes who have run sub 3 min 55 secs.
This promises to be a great race and is being paced by Irish International Paul O’Donnell (DSD).
The 400m is also going to be an excellent race with six Men entered who have run sub 49 seconds, including DSD’s own Ciaran Carthy (47.34 secs).
The Mens 5000m will also be a race not to be missed with 8 men capable of running sub 15 minutes in the 21 man field.
In all, athletes from all four provinces of Ireland will be taking part on Sunday, with 24 different counties represented.
The DSD Games are a brand-new addition to the national athletics calendar and are hosted by Dundrum South Dublin AC (DSDAC), one of Ireland’s largest athletics clubs.
The new event marks the opening of DSD AC’s new World Athletics certified 400m track and campus at Rathfarnham.
The Athletics Ireland licensed competition will feature a full programme of Sprint, Hurdles, Middle Distance and Field events, including five marquee events: 100m; 100m hurdles (women) / 110m hurdles (men); 1500m; Shot Put and Long Jump.
Cash prizes will be offered for these events.
The DSD Games is a Category F World Athletics event, with athletes who compete gaining valuable ranking points towards qualification for the World Championships later this year and the Olympics.