Three MTU athletes in great form as they head into the Irish University Outdoor Championships in April

Twelve months ago the athletes at Munster Technological University didn’t even have a track to train on.

Now, following the conclusion of the indoor season, the of MTU Athletics Club are eagerly looking forward to the Irish University Outdoor Championships which take place at Santry on Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12.

The recent indoor equivalent in Abbotstown saw MTU athletes return home with an impressive haul of medals and personal bests, adding to the many fine performances of Cork athletes on the indoor circuit both at home and abroad this season.

At the championships Liscarroll athlete Aoife O’Sullivan, a Biomedical Engineering student in MTU, leaped to a massive 1.85m in the high jump which places the 22-year-old equal fourth on the Irish all time list. 

She followed that up with another victory in the Irish U23 Indoor championships a couple of weekends ago.

Another to stand out was First year Architectural Technology student Max O’Reilly who put all his injury problems behind him to reach the pinnacle of 60 mere sprinting in this country.

The Leevale man, still in the junior grade, ran a huge personal best in the University Championships before storming to national U23 60m gold a few weeks later. 

There, he saved his best performance until last when clocking a time of 6.66 seconds which makes him Irelands fourth fastest over the distance.

The reopening last summer of the state-of-the-art track at the Bishopstown Arena following resurfacing works has made a huge contribution, according to Craig Harrington, the Athletics Development Officer at MTU.

“Last year was tough, we had to do a lot of work on the hill by the GAA pitch and along by the river walk and in Tramore Valley Park. 

"Obviously, we used the Mardyke as well until that also closed so the track is a massive bonus for us, as is the new gym.” 

Harrington – along with Ian O’Sullivan – looks after the coaching side and he is also keen to highlight a recent performance by another Cork athlete which may have somewhat slipped under the radar.

“On the international front Lucy-May Sleeman, who uses the track for training and who is an Economics student in Florida State University, has been having her best season to date. 

"She recently ran a massive personal best of 7.27 for the 60m which now ranks her as Ireland's equal third fastest woman over the distance.

“At the prestigious AAC Indoor T&F Championships in Louisville, Kentucky, Lucy, a member of Leevale, put in her best performance to finish third in the international standard track meet.

“Athletics in Cork is looking strong after some great results over the last few months. 

"Many will now be setting their sights on the outdoor season and the three athletes mentioned along with many others will be looking to qualify for the European U23 Championships in Norway this July.”