Impressive performances by athletes Sean O’Donnell and Lawson Capes

Two talented teenage athletes are continuing to strongly stake their claim for international selection.

Lawson Capes and Sean O'Donnell are both aiming to represent their respective countries in the Under 18 European Championships in Slovakia.

Thrower Capes is targeting a place in the England squad while sprinter O'Donnell is seeking selection for the Republic of Ireland.

The duo were both in action at the weekend in different high profile events where they each boosted their cause.

O'Donnell rose to the top among the cream of athletes competing at a meeting in Dublin.

The Casterton College pupil was in action at the Irish National May Open at the Morton Stadium.

The 16-year-old raced to new personal bests and took first place in both the 100m and 200m after clocking times of10.87 and 22.18 respectively.

His times have ranked him as number one in the Under 17s category in the Republic of Ireland and fifth in the United Kingdom.

The category E World Athletics meeting attracted top names such as Isreal Olatunde and Bori Akinola.

The event was the next stage of four graded meetings where O'Donnell is aiming to impress the selectors.

Capes was also competing in esteemed company at a senior international meeting at Loughborough on Sunday where he produced a superb showing.

The Bourne Grammar School pupil was accepted as a guest thrower against the International teams.

But he was not intimidated by the top class opposition and threw an amazing 17.86m which was the second furthest distance and he is now just 24cm off European qualification with three weeks left before the deadline.

It was a great experience for Capes throwing against athletes who compete for England men, Great Britain Under 20s, Wales, Scotland, Loughborough University and National League senior teams.