Lucy McGlynn 'excited' for top race in Madrid

Lucy McGlynn will take to the starting blocks in an Irish vest in Madrid on Wednesday.

The Tir Chonaill AC woman goes in the 2x200m relay at the Dynamic New Athletics Under-20 meet.

The event is a prelude to the World Athletics Indoor Tour, which also takes place at Centro Deportivo Municipal Gallur later on Wednesday.

McGlynn flew to Spain on Tuesday morning ahead of her 2x200m relay with Dundrum South Dublin's David Bosch.

“I'm really excited,” McGlynn told Donegal Live.

“I've never done that format before. It's a different kind of competition and a different environment, so it's definitely going to be exciting.

“It's always an honour to run for Ireland at any time.”

At the weekend, McGlynn was fourth in the 200m and fifth in the 60m hurdles at the National Indoor Championships.

McGlynn clocked 25.5 seconds in the 200m final and followed up with an 8.79-second 60m final.

McGlynn said: “The hurdles went to a straight final, which I wasn't expecting. That gave me a bit more room for the two events. I'm happy enough with how they went.

“Indoors, it hasn't been my best season, but I keep moving forward now and I'm looking forward to the outdoor season. I'll get the 400m hurdles, which I prefer.”

A Leaving Cert student at Coláiste Cholmcille, McGlynn has just completed her mocks.

The exam schedule present their own challenges for an athlete of her calibre.

“It is very hard,” she said. “You're sitting all day studying. You just have to keep stretching and try to prevent any injuries.”

McGlynn is concentrating on athletics for the time being having been part of the Aodh Ruadh senior ladies side who won the Donegal Intermediate Championship in 2022.

Last summer, McGlynn hit some high nites when missing out on a place in the World Under-20 100m hurdles final by just 0.02 of a second. The 13.92 seconds clocked in Colombia was a new Donegal record.

On Wednesday, McGlynn will be joined by Hannah Murray of Finn Valley, who goes in the 4x400m while Irish 800m kingpin Mark English of Finn Valley set to race in the 800m at the Madrid meeting.

Six nations – Ireland, Czech Republic, Great Britain, France, Spain and Turkey – will compete in the DNA competition.

McGlynn, who hopes to make the European standard for later this year, said: “I got a lot more out of last year than I ever expected so I can't really complain. I'm focussed on where I'm going now and I'm really looking forward to the outdoors.”