Irish athletics will step firmly into the national spotlight this weekend as the 123.ie National Indoor Athletics Championships arrive at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena on February 28th and March 1st — a showcase of the depth, quality, and momentum currently driving the sport forward.
In a landmark moment for domestic athletics, Virgin Media will broadcast the championships live for the first time, with a two-hour programme airing on Virgin Media 2 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Sunday. The historic broadcast represents a significant milestone, reflecting the surging public appetite for athletics and the sport’s expanding profile across the country.
The weekend will see many of Ireland’s leading performers return to home competition, including Kate O’Connor (long jump/60m hurdles), Mark English (800m), Sarah Lavin (60m hurdles), Sharlene Mawdsley (400m), Andrew Coscoran (3000m/1500m), and Irish 60m record holder Bori Akinola. Their participation guarantees world-class standards across multiple disciplines, with national titles, rankings, and international qualification opportunities at stake.
Beyond established stars, the championships will also provide a platform for emerging talent to test themselves against the nation’s best, underlining the strength of Ireland’s performance pathway and the healthy pipeline of future contenders coming through the system.
Demand to attend has been exceptionally strong, with Sunday’s session already sold out. Spectators are advised not to travel without a ticket. A limited number of Saturday tickets remain available. For fans unable to attend in person, both days of competition will be streamed live on the Athletics Ireland YouTube channel.
With elite athletes, packed stands, and unprecedented live television exposure, this year’s National Indoor Championships represent more than just a weekend of competition — they are a powerful statement of the current strength, ambition, and upward trajectory of Irish athletics.
For more details
https://www.athleticsireland.ie/national-indoors-to-be-broadcast-live-on-virgin-media-tv/
Pictured at the launch : Athletics Ireland Chief Executive Hamish Adams, centre left, and 123.ie Managing Director Gavin Macklin, centre right, with athletes from left, Bori Akinola of UCD AC, Emma Moore of Galway City Harriers, Darragh McElhinney of Bantry AC and Anna McCauley of City of Lisburn AC at the National Indoor Arena at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin.
Photo : Sportsfile/Sam Barnes