Diarmuid O’Connor is back stronger than ever after breaking the U23 National Record in the Decathlon on 9 & 10 May in Villanova, PA, USA at the Big East Outdoors Conference Championships competing for the University of Connecticut, trying to qualify for the elusive NCAA collegiate championships from 5 – 8 June in Eugene, Oregon. His performances were: 100m: 11.15s, Long Jump: 7.23m Equalled PB, Shot Put: 13.61m New PB&CR, High Jump: 1.96m, 400m: 48.39s New PB, 110 Hurdles: 14.94s New PB & CR, Discus: 39.32m New PB & CR, Polevaulting: 4.45m New PB & CR, Javelin: 48.52m, 1500m: 4.31.99min. Total score: 7610 points, breaking a record held by Barry Walsh since 1989.