Fingal Athletics League a runaway success!

In excess of 2500 children representing over 50 local schools attended the Fingal Athletics League Finals at ALSAA, North Dublin today. Fingal's Sports Office, led by Noel McManus, Sports Development Officer, did a superb job in organising a magnificent day's sport which was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance.

Morton Games and Fingal County Council last week announced an exciting collaboration between both organisations with the goal of helping the growth and development of athletics talent in Fingal. Today's Athletics League final was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Tom Kitt and Morton Games meet director Noel Guiden.

The winning overall school was St. Patrick’s National School, Diswellstown. Noel Guiden made the presentation to the teachers and athletes from the school.

The St. Patrick’s team will be special guests of Morton Games at this year's World Athletics Continental Tour track and field meet in the Morton Stadium on Friday, July 12.

New collaboration to help grow athletics and develop talent in Fingal

Fingal County Council and Morton Games are delighted to announce an exciting collaboration between the Fingal Athletics League and Morton Games. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the growth and development of athletics in Fingal.

The collaboration between the Fingal Athletics League, known for its commitment to grassroots development, and Morton Games a World Athletics Continental Tour International track and field event, brings together two pillars of athletics in Fingal. By joining forces, both organisations seek to create unparalleled opportunities for young athletes.

"The mission of the Fingal Athletics League has always been to provide a platform for primary school students of all levels to showcase their talent and passion for the sport," said Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy. "Teaming up with Morton Games allows us to expand our reach and offer even more exciting opportunities for athletes to compete and excel."

Morton Games, which takes place in the Morton Stadium, Dublin has since 2011 consistently attracted top-tier athletes from around the globe to its prestigious events. By partnering with Fingal Athletics League, Morton Games aims to strengthen its commitment to nurturing talent at all levels of the sport.

Located in Fingal, Morton Stadium has undergone a significant 3 million your refurbishment project led by Dublin City University which saw a new Mondo track installed last summer. The stadium is home to the iconic Morton Mile, a race which for the past 50+ years has attracted top domestic and international stars.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Fingal Athletics League in our shared vision of advancing Irish athletics," stated Noel Guiden, Meet Director of Morton Games. "Together, we will work towards creating a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates the spirit of competition."

This collaboration signifies a new chapter in athletics, one that is characterised by unity, collaboration, and a shared passion for the sport. Fingal Athletics League and Morton Games look forward to a bright future of growth, innovation, and success.

The Fingal Athletics League Finals Day will take place on 24th April at ALSAA Sports Complex, with 2,700 students from 61 primary schools across Fingal coming together to showcase their talent.

Morton Games takes place on Friday July 12th in the Morton Stadium Dublin from 5.30pm with the International programme starting at 7.00pm.

HyGo is the Morton Games athletes’ hydration partner

Morton Games is proud to confirm that the HyGo brand will once again feature at the 2024 Morton Games as Borrisleigh Bottling are announced as the meet’s official athletes’ hydration partner.

Mr. Michael Ferncomb, Sales Business Development Manager of BBL said: “We are delighted to sponsor Morton Games water requirement again this year and wish the athletes, organisers and all involved the very best for the games.”

Morton Games is particularly pleased that the HyGo is our hydration partner as its sustainability ethos matches that of Morton Games. In 2023 Borrisleigh Bottling launched its HyGo water in its distinctive carton in what was a bold move away from traditional plastic bottles. The cartons are fully sustainable as the packaging is broadly speaking a plant – based package. The company having launched the product last June Morton Games a month later was one of HyGo’s first sports partnership’s ventures.

Borrisleigh delivers a superb natural water, from an age-old artesian well, in packaging that reflects a sensitivity for the environment and in a way that seeks to lead their industry towards a more responsible and sustainable future.

In addition to being the Morton Games’ athletes’ hydration partner HyGo is also the sponsor of the women’s international high jump at the meet. As in 2023 this year’s HyGo Women’s High Jump will bring to Morton Stadium some of the best international high jumpers to compete against Ireland’s best in what will be the opening event of the international programme on July 12.

Morton Games is committed to ensuring that the meet is fully aligned to the principles of sustainability in recognition of the growing environmental challenges that the world faces today, specifically air pollution, climate change and our over consumption of resources and materials escaping unmanaged into the environment.

Tickets for the meet are already available to purchase online, adults at €10 plus booking charges, U/16s fee:

LINK: https://eventmaster.ie/event/vvR6SPoSb4

Fans are also advised to keep an eye on the event website mortongames.ie for all the latest news as we move towards the big night in 3 months time.

Morton Games supports Sanctuary Runners

Sanctuary Runners has become the first ever charity partner of Morton Games. The partnership was announced on, Thursday April 11th, at the Morton Stadium Dublin attended by athletes Mahad Mohamed Egaal, Abdi Ali Maow and Ibrahim Umar, all of whom started their athletics journey with Sanctuary Runners. Mahad in fact competed in the men’s U/20 mile race at last year’s Morton Games.

Sanctuary Runners, founded 6 years ago, is a solidarity-through-sport initiative which uses running, jogging and walking to bring together asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and all Irish residents. Their familiar blue T-shirt is now a staple at road racing events throughout the length and breadth of Ireland. Many Sanctuary Runners having taken those initial tentative steps in the sport of athletics have since been welcomed in as members of the wider athletics community by joining clubs including Clonliffe Harriers AC, the club that promotes and hosts Morton Games.

In announcing the partnership Noel Guiden, meet director of Morton Games said: ‘Morton Games as an international athletics meet welcomes athletes from all corners of the world to Dublin each summer and we are therefore delighted to welcome our friends from Sanctuary Runners to be a part of Morton Games. Throughout history, and indeed now, Irish emigrants have left Ireland’s shores for communities many thousands of miles from home. Today Ireland has extended a warm welcome to thousands of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and whilst we all  recognise there are challenges, we at Morton Games want to show solidarity by offering the hand of friendship to those who have left family and friends behind and welcome them as members of our Morton Games community.’

Susan Moran, Dublin Group Leader Sanctuary Runners said:  ‘we are delighted to partner with Morton Games and being afforded this exciting opportunity to bring the message of solidarity, friendship and respect to the wider athletics community. Our mission statement is to become bridge builders by using running and walking groups to bring asylum seekers, refugees and migrants together and by creating these opportunities in an equal and respectful way this will enable the entire community to develop friendships.”

Sanctuary Runners will be guests of Morton Games on July 12th in Morton Stadium and will have an information booth to further spread the message of solidarity, friendship and respect.

The issue of sustainability is of exceptional importance and Morton Games on the night, as part of our sustainability objectives, is offering the opportunity to athletes, runners and supporters to do something positive on sustainability and in the process to provide for our friends from Sanctuary Runners. Those training shoes that you have just replaced will find a new home– indeed they could yet run that PB! – there will be a collection facility available so that spectators on the night of Morton Games may donate their (clean please) old training shoes to Sanctuary Runners. Those shoes will have a second life on the feet of a Sanctuary Runner.

Morton Games also pledges to donate to Sanctuary Runners any surplus promotional items and products following the event.

You will find further details of both organisations on their websites: https://sanctuaryrunners.ie/  https://www.mortongames.ie/

Morton Games takes place on Friday, July 12 at the Morton Stadium Dublin with a full programme of international athletics events including the iconic Morton Mile. E tickets, as part of the sustainability drive, are now on sale https://eventmaster.ie/event/vvR6SPoSb4

Bonuses on offer for top performers

The organisers of this year's Morton Games have put together the meet’s biggest ever prize fund, a total package of in excess of €40,000.

Each of the 12 international events has a prize fund of €2500 allocated- 1st €1000, 2nd €600, 3rd €400, 4th €300, 5th €200.

There are then substantial performance bonuses with a bonus of €250 for the winner in the event of a Stadium record being set in any international event.

A most generous further €1000 goes to the winner in the event of the following performances:

Men’s 100 – sub 10.00 (legal)

Morton mile – sub 3.50.00.

Women’s 1500 – sub 4.00.00.

Finally Morton Games is also offering a bonus of €500 to any Irish athlete who sets a new national record in the meet.

International events on July 12 are:

Women – 100 hurdles, 200, 800, 1500, high jump, discus.
Men – 100, 400, 800, Morton mile, Albie Thomas 5000, shot.

100 Days to Go!

The countdown is now well and truly on for Morton Games, World Athletics Continental Tour, taking place in the Morton Stadium, Dublin on Friday, July 12.

Morton Games wishes to acknowledge and thank sincerely our wonderful loyal sponsors for their continued support of the meet. Our confirmed supporters and sponsors for 2024 are:

Albie Thomas Family

Athletics Ireland

Athletics Leinster

Behan & Associates

Bon Secours Hospital Dublin

Clonliffe Harriers Grand Prix Series

Commercial Hygiene Services

Davy

DCU

Dublin Athletics

Fingal County Council

Irish Life Dublin Marathon

Jerry Kiernan Foundation

Last Lap Café

Loki Sports

Sport Ireland

Whiteford Geo Services

Meet Director Noel Guiden said: ‘I am overwhelmed by the support we receive from our supporters and sponsors, most of them have been with us since we started on this idea of an annual international athletics meet in Dublin city back in 2011 and in the space of a dozen years or so Morton Games is now a meet on the world stage. This simply would be an impossibility were it not for their unwavering support and generosity.’

In 100 days time, July 12, the brilliant blue Mondo track of Morton Stadium will be host to a world-class night of track and field drama and excitement. The programme will see 12 international events crammed into a tight 2 hour programme, it will be highlight after highlight: the women’s 100 hurdles, men’s 100, women’s 200, men’s 400, men and women’s 800, the most storied event in Irish athletics, the Morton mile, women’s 1500, the Albie Thomas men’s 5000 and in the field, women’s high jump, men’s shot put and women’s discus.

Tickets for the big night, €10 (plus booking fee) for adults, U/16s, free are already on sale online through Event Master. LINK: https://eventmaster.ie/event/vvR6SPoSb4

Do keep an eye on mortongames.ie for news updates

Programme for July 12th confirmed

Spring is very much in the air with the track and field season, and of course the Olympic Games, only around the corner and with that in mind Morton Games is delighted to confirm the programme for this year’s World Athletics Continental Tour meet at the Morton Stadium, Santry, Dublin taking place on Friday, July 12.

The meet will commence, a little earlier than usual, at 5:30 PM with a programme of Dublin Athletics interclub mixed 4 x 200 relays for athletes in the U/10, U/12, U/14 and U/16 age groups. This will be followed by the ever popular, and now a Morton Games staple, mass juvenile 16 x 100 (mile) mixed interclub relay. The pre-programme will be completed with the U/20 women and U/20 men’s mile races. Entry for the juvenile relays and U/20 miles will open at the start of May, further details soon.

The main program will commence with the inter-varsity Swedish relay, an invitational for Irish colleges, where teams of 4, 2 men and 2 women, will compete over 100 x 300 x 200 x 400.

The international programme brings all your old favourites back once again. Women’s track events – 100 hurdles, 200, 800 and 1500, men’s track events – 100, 400, 800, the Morton mile and the Albie Thomas 5000.

Field events for 2024: women – high jump and discus, men – shot put.

Athlete/Agents interested should contact us as soon as possible as available places in the meet are already filling up. Email the meet director at mortongames@hotmail.com

Tickets for Morton Games, adults €10 (plus booking fee) with U/16s free are now available on Event Master through this link:  https://eventmaster.ie/event/vvR6SPoSb4

Tickets for the 2024 Morton Games on sale now

Morton Games confirms that tickets for this year’s World Athletics Continental Tour Morton Games which takes place in the Morton Stadium Santry, Dublin on Friday, July 12 are now on sale through our partner Event Master.  

We are delighted to confirm that we have once again managed to keep the cost of tickets at the same great value of €10 (plus booking fee) for adults and in accordance with one of our objectives to bring world-class athletics to the children of Ireland, U/16’s will have free admission.

In furtherance of our sustainability objectives Morton Games is going as paperless as possible, thus tickets can only be purchased online for downloading to your mobile device through this link:  https://eventmaster.ie/event/vvR6SPoSb4

WA confirms July 12th as date for 2024 Morton Games

Morton Games is delighted to announce that World Athletics have confirmed Friday, July 12, 2024 as the date for next year's World Athletics Continental Tour bronze meet at the Morton Stadium, Dublin. Morton Games is also a World Athletics Ranking Competition for 2024.

International events planned in the meet are:

Men- 100, 400, 800, Morton mile, Albie Thomas 5000, shot.

Women – 100 hurdles, 200, 800, 1500, high jump, discus.

Further details will be announced in the New Year.

Lavin the star of the show

Ireland’s Sarah Lavin delivered the performance of the meet in the Davy 100 hurdles at last night Morton Games. Lavin took her 1st Morton games win setting a new Stadium record of 12.79. An extremely impressive performance in the wet and windy conditions getting the international track programme off to a superb start. Lavin’s new Stadium record performance in a -0.7 wind also earned her the Irish athlete of the meet award sponsored by the Jerry Kiernan Foundation.

The iconic Morton mile, the meet finale, once again produced an excellent race. Ryan Mphahlele (RSA) letting his intentions known from the start as he jumped on the shoulders of the pacemakers, indeed at one stage he was shouting at the pacemakers to go faster, all of this despite pretty nasty wind as he streaked clear of the field, and although the gap closed off the final bend he came out a clear winner in 3.54.41, a PB. There was also a PB for Adam Spencer (AUS) of 3.55.12 in placing 2nd and in 3rd , Nick Griggs (IRL) clocking 3.55.73 which was also a PB and a new Irish U/20 record.

In between an excellent night's entertainment featuring an extremely exciting Albie Thomas 5000. Tom Mortimer (GBR) bravely made the running however with 600 to go Darragh McElhinney (IRL) caught and passed the tiring Mortimer to open what looked like an unassailable gap, only to suffer the same fate on the final lap as Scott Beattie (GBR) took a brilliant win in 13.25.53.

The 800s produce brilliant races, Olivia Baker (USA) winning the women's race in a very pacey, particularly in the light of the conditions, 2.00.53 with John Fitzsimons (IRL) winning a very exciting men's in 1.46.55.

Micaiah Harris (USA) took the men's 100 (10.54), Lorene Bazolo (POR) the women's 200 (23.49). Argentina’s Elian Larrengia won the 400 in 45.72. US visitor Emily Mackey was victorious in the women's 1500 (4.07.02).

The 2 High Jump Competitions took place simultaneously with Urte Baiskstyle (LTH) winning the women's competition with a best of 1.84 whilst the men's competition was won by Stefano Sottile (ITA) 2.16. Jo-Ane Van Dyk won the javelin competition with an impressive 61.06 and Scott Lincoln the plaudits in the shot (20.29).

The night’s U/20 miles were very exciting races, the men's race saw Sean Cronin, of the promoting club Clonliffe Harriers, play a waiting game in their pack until he sprung in a tactical race to take a 'home win’in 4.20.46 whilst Catherine Martin beat the Foster sisters to win the women's race 4.56.18.

The pre-programme featured very exciting Dublin Athletics mixed juvenile relays which provided great excitement and then of course the rumble and tumble of the Fingal 16 x 100 (mile) interclub juvenile relay.

In all it was an excellent nights entertainment, particularly in the light of the exceptionally challenging weather conditions faced by the organisers and officials throughout the course of the day, thankfully the weather conditions improved considerably just as the meet was about to start.

Morton Games would like to thank all the partners in the meet, our loyal sponsors and supporters, the fans that turned out to add to that special Morton Games atmosphere and of course the athletes for their performances. We will see you all again in July 2024