European Championships 2016 - Day 5 - Mageean's Bronze

Mageean Crowns a Fabulous Day for Ireland

Ciara Mageean crowned a great Championships for the Irish women, in particular, with a gutsy Bronze Medal finish in the Women's 1500m Final.  This came very shortly after the Irish trio of Michelle Finn, Sara Treacy and Kerry O'Flaherty had competed in the Women's Steeplechase Final, finishing in 7th, 9th and 12th respectively.

Women's Steeplechase Report

European Athletics 2016 Results Page

The first two laps were run in a very pedestrian pace of 83 secs each, but the field broke up around 150m into the penultimate lap, but not into sprint mode.  Still, more or less, together at the bell, the race was really on.  Mageean was around fourth at the bell, but pretty well bunched in.  With just over 200m to go, Ciara saw a gap and went for it.  Coming off the bend, she had a lot of work to do, but gave it her all, first contending for Bronze, then fighting for Silver.  In the end she 'ran out of road', and was just 0.02 sec off the Silver

Women's 1500m Final

European Championships 2016 - Day 4 (pm) - Athletics Ireland Report

McMahon Produces Gutsy Run as Byrne Finishes 10th in 5,000m

Christine McMahon (Ballymena & Antrim) produced a gutsy run to finish fifth in her 400m hurdles semi-final in 56.87 seconds at the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam (July 9).

Running from lane 7, McMahon was in contention for a final berth with one hundred metres to go but just ran out of legs in the straight.

“I’m really happy with that coming off the first round where I didn’t feel great,” said McMahon afterwards who used a new stride pattern for the second time. “It worked really well. I tried using it for the first time last week and completely ran out of legs in the home straight. It was much better this time. I just need to get more work in and get fitter.”

McMahon has been juggling her final year in dentistry and training at a high level – she now has a clear path to take a leap forward.

Video - Women's 400m Hurdles Semi-Final 3

The mens’ 4x100m relay team of Jason Smyth (Derry City), Eanna Madden (Carrick on Shannon), Jonathan Browning (Ballymena & Antrim) and Marcus Lawler (SLOT) finished 8th in 39.52 to go number three on the Irish all-time list.

Video - Mens 4x100m Relay - Heat 2

The women’s 4x100m relay team of Joan Healy, Phil Healy (both Bandon), Sarah Murray (Fingallians) and Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank) finished 8th in their heat in a season’s best of 44.29.

Video - Womens 4x100m Relay - Heat 2

 In the women’s 5,000m final Deirdre Byrne finished an excellent 10th in 15:53.67.  

Claire McCarthy (Leevale) and Gladys Ganiel (North Belfast Harriers) get Irish interest underway tomorrow at 8:30am in the women’s half marathon.

They will be followed on the road soon after by the men’s team of Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders), Gary Murray (Clonliffe Harriers), Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers), Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock), Mark Hanrahan (Leevale) and Kevin Seaward (Ballymena & Antrim) at 8:50am.

Michelle Finn (Leevale), Sara Treacy (Dunboyne) and Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle) compete in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase final at 17:15 with Ciara Mageean (UCD) in the women’s 1500m final at 17:45.

Kevin Batt (DSD) runs in the men’s 5,000m final at 18:10 with the men’s 4x400m relay team bidding for Rio qualification at 18:50 – the last race of the programme. There will be extensive coverage on RTE 2.

Athletics Ireland Report of the first session of Day 4:

Athletics Ireland Registration Figures June 2016

Athletics Ireland Registrations June 2016

Several of the newer Cork Clubs have been omitted completely from the listings.  Cork Athletics informed Athletics Ireland some time ago, however the issue remains unresolved

Cork Clubs - Overall Registrations

There are now nine clubs with over 200 registered members.  Bandon AC and Leevale AC, have consistently surpassed, by a distance, all others. 

Cork Clubs - Juvenile Registrations

Three clubs with over two hundred members. Bandon AC are just short of 500 Juvenile members.

Cork Clubs - Adult Registrations

Little Change over previous months.  Ballymore-Cobh AC head Eagle AC 'by a nose'.

Top 50 Clubs - National Standings by Overall Registrations

Bandon AC are leading Cork club, in fourth place overall, with Leevale AC eight.

Top 50 Clubs - National Standings by Juvenile Registrations

Bandon AC top the list!

Top 50 Clubs - National Standings by Adult Registrations

Top two Cork clubs, Ballymore-Cobh AC & Eagle AC in 18th & 19th place overall

European Championships 2016 - Day 3 (am) - Athletics Ireland Report

 Athletics Ireland Release

History for Irish Steeplechase Trio at European Championships 

It was a great opening session for the Irish on day three of the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam with Michelle Finn (Leevale), Sara Treacy (Dunboyne) and Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle) qualifying for the final of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase.

Michelle Finn with 6 laps to go

6 laps to go pic.twitter.com/aYEW1ssStj

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 8, 2016

Michelle Finn finishing Steeplechase

And Michelle Finn is through to the women's steeplechase final! 4th in 9:45.93 seasons best #ECH2016 pic.twitter.com/NmjFBO7AOA

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 8, 2016

It was a historic day with all three athletes making the European final. Michelle Finn finished fourth in a season’s best of 9:45.93 in the first heat of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase with the first five to qualify automatically for the final on Sunday. Finn came through strongly and was pleased with her effort. “I ran much better than my earlier races this season and coped better with the number of athletes around the barriers,” said Finn. “I feel remarkably good afterwards so we’ll see what happens in the final.”

Sara Treacy and Kerry O’Flaherty were pitted against each other in the second heat and both came through strongly to advance to the final. Treacy took the final automatic qualifying spot in fifth in a new personal best of 9:42.16 while O’Flaherty qualified comfortably in sixth as a non-automatic qualifier with a big season’s best of 9:45.53.

“I knew I had a personal best in me from training,” said Treacy afterwards. “I’m really pleased with that and looking forward to the final.” O’Flaherty was equally pleased: “That’s a big step forward and it’s great to get all three girls into the final.”

Christine McMahon (Ballymena & Antrim) was pleased to advance to the semi-finals of the women’s 400m hurdles semi-finals after finishing fourth in heat four in 57.73. “I made one or two mistakes towards the end but the point is to get through and I did that,” she said afterwards.

Ben Reynolds (North Down) got Irish action underway with a 7th place finish in the first heat of the men’s 110m hurdles in a season’s best of 13.87.  The race took place during torrential rain

Program - Friday Afternoon

17.15 Women’s 1500 heats – Ciara Mageean, Rose Ann Galligan

17.50 Men’s 200m SF

18.15 Women’s 100m SF

18.40 Men’s 400m hurdles final

19.25 Women’s 400m final

20.25 Men’s steeplechase final

Afternoon Session Update

Ciara Mageean through in third place in Heat 1, in 4:13.61

And she's through! Ciara Mageean third in heat 1 in 4:13.61 in the women's 1500 #ECH2016 pic.twitter.com/a5ISl4aoSC

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 8, 2016

Day 2 - Thursday - Afternoon Report

Day 2 - Thursday - Morning Report

Day 1 - Wednesday - Report

Athlete Transfer Deadline - August 24th

Deadline - August 24th 2016

Cork Athletics Facebook page

Athletes wishing to transfer clubs are reminded that the deadline for the return of fully completed transfer forms is Wednesday August 24th.  Forms received after that date will NOT be accepted.

Transfer forms may be downloaded  from the Athletics Ireland website.  

The Procedure on the form MUST be followed.

Completed forms should be give/posted to Cork AAI County Board Registrar, John Copithorne, Belgooley, Co. Cork.

• Do NOT call to John Copithorne's house or workplace.
• Do NOT send your form by Registered Post, Courier or other form of delivery, except the regular Post
• Do NOT send your completed form to Athletics Ireland HQ (Dublin), as this will severely affect delivery time, likely missing the deadline.

The Transfer Form must be signed in the following order

By the:
•   Member (in the case of a minor by the parent or guardian)
•   New Club
•   Outgoing Club
•   County Board (outgoing club)
•   County Boards (out of county club transfer)
•   County Boards (inter county transfer)

Incomplete, improperly or incorrectly completed forms will be rejected.

Notes:

• Athletes must be in good stead with the outgoing club, i.e. they must not owe any membership  fee, or other arrears, and all club property in their possession must have been returned
• Athletes whose membership of the outgoing club has lapsed by more than three years do not require a transfer, i.e. they are free to change clubs without going through the formal transfer process - they can be simply registered by the incoming club.

European Championships - Day 2 (am) - Athletics Ireland Report

Lawler and Foster Sprint to European Semis

Marcus Lawler (St Laurence O’Toole) and Amy Foster (City of Lisburn) continued the Irish qualification trail with excellent performances in their respective 200m and 100m qualifying heats on day 2 of the European Athletics Championships (July 7).

Lawler finished fifth in heat 1 of the men’s 200m in 21.06 (-1.1) and was delighted to qualify for the semi-finals with a fastest non-automatic qualifier spot.

Lawler had a brief layoff before the championships due to a niggle but was back in form and ran a good bend to put himself in position to advance.

“I’m into bonus territory now,” said the Carlow sprinter. “The atmosphere was brilliant and that’s what motivates me. I’m here to learn and keep progressing.

Foster was equally pleased with her third place finish in the women’s 100m in 11.57 which qualified her automatically for the semi-finals. “I got the job done,” said Foster contentedly afterwards. “I would expect of myself to get through to the semis but now it’s a different ball game getting into a European final. I hoped to run faster but maybe the semi-final will be the time.”

Unfortunately Karl Griffin (UCD) and Declan Murray (Clonliffe Harriers) didn’t advance from their respective 800m heats. Griffin finished 8th in heat 3 with a season’s best of 1:49.37 while Declan Murray finished 6th in heat 4 with 1:50.10 in what were tactical battles throughout.

Murray rued not getting to the front after 200m to aid his chances of a fastest non-automatic qualifying spot. “My plan was to assess at the 200m mark whether to push on,” said Murray. “I hesitated slightly as we all came on top of each other so I just raced it tactically. I was in the right position but it’s always going to be difficult leaving it to a sprint.”

Tori Pena (Finn Valley) was the first Irish athlete in action in the qualifying of the women’s pole vault where she just missed out on countback to qualify for the final. She finished 7th in group A and 15th overall with a best clearance of 4.35m.

High Performance Director Kevin Ankrom was pleased with the morning. “It’s important that the athletes get out there and experience this level of competition. It was good to see Marcus Lawler and Amy Foster advance.”

This afternoon Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) competes in the 400m hurdles semi-final at 15:15, Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers) and Sinead Denny (DSD) compete in their respective 400m semi-finals at 15:45 and 16:35 while Eoin Everard (Kilkenny City Harriers) goes in the heats of the men’s 1500m at 17:20.

Timetable for the Irish

Statistics of the Irish at the European Championships

European Championships Womens Steeplechase Final

Michelle Finn 7th in European Championship Final

Michelle Finn finished a fabulous 7th in today's European Championship Steeplechase Final, in a PB of 9:43.19.  Sara Treacy was Ireland's second finisher, in 9th place and a time of 9:45.19, and Kerry O'Flaherty, in 12th place in 9:45.88

Irish trio reflect on their performance today

Gesa Felicitas Krause, Germany, won in 9:18.85, while Luiza Gega, Albania, took silver with Albania's first ever track medal, in 9:28.52

Video - European Championship 2016 - Womens Steeplechase Final

Video - European Championship 2016 - Womens Steeplechase Semi-Final

European Championships 2016 - Day 4 (am) - Athletics Ireland Report

One More Shot at Rio as Irish Men’s 4x400 Reach European Championship Final

Athletics Ireland Release

The Irish quartet of Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers), Craig Lynch (Shercock), David Gillick (DSD) and Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) put in a gutsy performance to qualify for the men’s 4x400m relay final at the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam.

The team finished fourth in heat 1 with 3:04.42 to qualify as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.

Brian Gregan got the team off to a good start with 46.4 split before passing on to Craig Lynch who clocked 45.9. He handed to David Gillick who put in a battling display with 46.01 diving across the line to pass to Thomas Barr who anchored the team with 46.04.

Another Crack at Rio as Irish 4x4 Miss Qualifying Time by just 0.17 sec

They were hoping for a time of 3:04.25 or better to get back into the top 16 for the Olympics in Rio but they were pleased with their effort and have one more chance in the final.

“It’s important to remember the rest of the relay members that have gotten us to this point,” said Gregan afterwards mentioning the likes of Brian Murphy, Richard Morrissey who is also on the squad, and Mark English. “I got out hard and gave it everything,” he continued.

Craig Lynch echoed the sentiments: “It was great to be able to run on the team and play my part.”

David Gillick was motivated for more come the final tomorrow. “We’ve gotten to the final and that’s the position we want to be in,” he said. “It’s about the team and all the runners the last couple of years that have put us in this position. Hopefully this quartet can do the business tomorrow and we’re motivated to get out there again tomorrow.”

Equally Thomas Barr was pleased to have another chance at Rio qualification. “We’ve another shot and we’ll get out there and give it our best.”

The team currently lie in 17th but will need a run of at least 3:04.25 or faster to get into the top 16 Olympic qualifying positions before the cut-off date on Monday (July 11).

The Czech Republic who ran a national record of 3:02.66 today will overtake Ireland if they can replicate that performance tomorrow. This would mean the Irish team would require 3:04.05 to overtake Japan and get inside the top 16.

Video - European Championships 2016 - Mens 4x400m Heats

Irish Womens 4x400

The Irish women’s 4x400m relay team of Sinead Denny (DSD), Phil Healy (Bandon), Jenna Bromell (Emerald) and Ciara McCallion (Clonliffe Harriers) didn’t qualify for the final but ran a season’s best of 3:34.02 to finish 8th in heat 2.

“It’s good progress for a new team,” said Healy afterwards who split 52.7 seconds for the fastest leg on the team. “Three of the team are making their European debut and it’s all our first time to run as a relay team here. We’ll gain a lot from this experience.”

Sinead Denny got the team started with a 53.5 second split while Jenna Bromell, who is set for the World Junior Athletics Championships in ten days’ time, ran the third leg in 53.82. Ciara McCallion anchored the team with 53.96 seconds.

Video - European Championships 2016 - Womens 4x400m Heats

Barry Pender (St Abban’s) was the other athlete in action in the first session and he finished 10th in group B of high jump qualification with 2.14m.

Later this evening the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay teams, Christine McMahon (Ballymena & Antrim) and Deirdre Byre (Sli Cualann) are in action.

European Championships 2016 - Day 3 (pm) - Athletics Ireland Report

Mageean Mixes with Europe's Best to Make 1500m Final

Athletics Ireland Report

Ciara Mageean (UCD) continued the excellent form of the Irish women at the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam with an impressive performance to qualify for the women’s 1500m final.

The UCD athlete, coached by Jerry Kiernan, finished third in heat 1 of the women’s 1500m in 4:13.61. The championship favourites were ahead of her – Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) won in 4:13.45 with Poland’s Angelika Cichoka second in 4:13.47.

“I was really happy with my physicality,” said Mageean afterwards. “It’s my first major championships for a few years so it’s good to get out and use the elbows. I love to run for Ireland and wear the green, white and gold.”

Mageean will run the final at 16:45 Irish time live on RTE 2 on Sunday and she’s relishing the prospect. “This is what you run for,” she said. “Hassan and Cichoka are the favourites but I’ll be going in there with a number of others with a chance. It’s all well and good saying it, it’s another doing it.”

Video - Mageean Finishing

And she's through! Ciara Mageean third in heat 1 in 4:13.61 in the women's 1500 #ECH2016 pic.twitter.com/a5ISl4aoSC

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 8, 2016

 Marcus Lawler (St Laurence O’Toole) ran an aggressive bend in lane 1 of the first men’s 200m semi-final but didn’t have enough to advance finishing 7th in 21.33. “That wasn’t good enough,” said Lawler afterwards. “I ran a hard bend to get in the mix but it wasn’t enough. I want to be making finals and hopefully in the coming years I will be.”

Amy Foster (City of Lisburn) rounded out Irish action on Day 3 finishing 7th in the third 100m semi-final in 11.62.

The Irish had a great morning session with Michelle Finn (Leevale), Sara Treacy (Dunboyne) and Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle) all advancing to the women’s 3,000m steeplechase final while Christine McMahon (Ballymena & Antrim) qualified for the women’s 400m hurdles semi-final.

This Morning's Report
Video Interviews on Athletics Ireland Facebook page

Irish interest gets underway tomorrow with the women’s 4x400m relay team of Sinead Denny (DSD), Phil Healy (Bandon), Jenna Bromell (Emerald) and Ciara McCallion (Clonliffe Harriers) taking to the track at 12:55 in lane 3 of heat 2.

Barry Pender (St Abban’s) competes in the men’s high jump qualification at 13:10 in group B with 2.25m the automatic qualifying height.

The men’s 4x400m team of Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers), Craig Lynch (Shercock), David Gillick (DSD) and Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) are in lane 3 of heat 1 at 13:25.
Paralympic star Smyth to compete in men's relay

In the evening session the men’s 4x100m relay team which will be started by double Paralympic gold medallist Jason Smyth (Derry City) at 18:40. He will be joined by Eanna Madden (Carrick on Shannon), Jonathan Browning (Ballymena & Antrim) and Marcus Lawler (SLOT).  They will be in lane 5 in the first heat.

The women’s 4x100m relay team of Joan Healy, Phil Healy (both Bandon), Sarah Murray (Fingallians) and Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank) take to the track at 19:00 in lane 2 of heat 1.

Deirdre Byrne (Sli Cualann) goes in the women’s 5,000m final at 20:05. Unfortunately Mary Cullen (North Sligo) has had to withdraw due to a hamstring issue.

There is extensive coverage on RTE 2.

Saturday's Schedule - Day 4

12.55 Women’s 4×400m  Ht 2 (Denny, P Healy, Broemll, McCallion)

13.10 Men’s high jump  Gp B, Barry Pender

13.25 Men’s 4×400m Ht 1 (Gregan, Lynch, Gillick, Barr)

18.40 Men’s 4×100m Ht 1 (Smyth, Madden, Browning, Lawler)

19.00 Women’s 4×100m  Ht 1 (J Healy P Healy, Murry, Whelan)

19.20 Women’s 400m hurdles – SF 3, Christine McMahon

20.05 Women’s 5000m final – Deirdre Byrne (Mary Cullen withdrawn injured).

Invitation to Host Munster Cross-Country Championships

Munster Juvenile Even-Age, Novice & Under 23 Cross-Country Country Championships

Sunday October 23rd 2016

Cork Athletics invites clubs to apply to host this year's Munster Juvenile Even-Age, Novice and Under 23 Cross-Country Championships, on Sunday October 23rd.

The event can be hosted on grounds provided by the host club, or on Cork Athletics Riverstick grounds.

The closing date for receipt of applications to host the event is Saturday August 20th.

Applications should be made to Cork Athletics Secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Dromina, Charleville, Co. Cork

European Championships - Day 2 (pm) - Athletics Ireland Report

Battling Barr misses out on European final

A season’s best performance wasn’t quite enough for Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) to make the final of the men’s 400m hurdles at the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam (July 7).

Barr ran 50.09 to finish fifth in the third semi-final and there were plenty of positives for the Waterford man who just returned to full training a number of weeks ago.

“I’ll take a lot of positives from this,” said Barr. “It was good to get into championship mode which you don’t experience anywhere else. The Olympics will be no different just on a bigger stage.”

Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers) was next on track in the first semi-final of the men’s 400m where he put in a brave performance to finish seventh from lane one in 46.37 seconds.

“It was my fastest ever out of lane 1 so it was okay,” said Gregan. “Obviously I would to have liked to have gone faster but I’m coming around and my focus is fully on the relay now.”

Sinead Denny (DSD) produced a similarly gutsy performance from lane 1 in the semi-finals of the women’s 400m. Denny clocked 53.27 seconds to finish 8th in the third semi-final – just one hundredth of a second outside her personal best.

“I would have liked to have gone a little bit faster but I’ve got to be pleased with my first major championships,” said Denny afterwards. “My goal was to make it to the semi-final and run a pb. I was just outside that but it’s made me hungry for more.”

Eoin Everard (Kilkenny City Harriers) rounded out the Irish action for the evening session of day 2 of the European Athletics Championships. The Kilkenny man finished 11th in the first heat of the men’s 1500m in 3:45.46, having been ill with stomach trouble in the past few days.   

Irish in Action Tomorrow

Ben Reynolds (North Down) gets Irish action underway tomorrow at 11:55 Irish time in the men’s 110m hurdles heats. Sara Treacy (Dunboyne), Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle) and Michelle Finn (Leevale) compete in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase at 12:30 with Christine McMahon (Ballymena & Antrim) in the heats of the 400m hurdles at 13:15. In the evening Ciara Mageean (UCD) competes in the women’s 1500m heats at 17:15  with Marcus Lawler (SLOT) in the men’s 200m semi-final at 17:50 and Amy Foster (City of Lisburn) at 18:15 in the semi-finals of the women’s 100m.

Amy Foster Qualifies from Heat 2 of Women's 100m (This Morning's Session)

Amy Foster through automatically with 11.57 in third in heat 2 of the women's 100 #ECH2016 pic.twitter.com/U07t3wK7IN

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 7, 2016

This mornings report - Day 2 - Thurs July 7th

Yesterday's Report - Day 1 - Wed July 6th

Irish timetable:

European Championships 2016 - Athletics Ireland Day 1 Report

Fionnuala a fighting fourth as Loughnane finally gets Gold

Morning Session

Fionnuala a fighting fourth as Loughnane finally gets gold

Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole) finished a frustrating fourth after a brave run in the women’s 10,000m in 31:30.74 while Olive Loughnane finally got her hands on her world championships gold medal.

It was nearly a double celebration as McCormack put in a battling performance in the women’s 10,000m final to finish fourth to Turkey’s Yasemin Can formerly of Kenya in 31:12.86. It was just outside McCormack’s personal best of 31:29.22 set in 2012.

“It’s more than frustrating finishing fourth but I’m getting back to my best,” said McCormack. Tara Jameson (Sli Cualann) finished 14th in 33:19.85.

For Olive Loughnane the seven year wait was finally over as she was retrospectively rewarded the gold medal for the 20km race walk in Berlin in 2009. “There’s value in sentiment and it was great to share the moment with all the Irish fans here,” said an emotional Loughnane.    

Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) continued his comeback to full fitness with an excellent win in the first heat of the 400m Hurdles with a 50.17 second clocking. “Everything is a bonus now,” said Barr. “I’m building back to fitness and it was important to get through the first round.  

Paul Byrne (St Abban’s) finished fourth in heat 2 of the men’s 400m hurdles in 53.12.

Tomas Cotter (Dunleer) felt flat from the off in heat 1 of the men’s 3,000m steeplechase where he finished 12th in heat 1 in 9:08.82.

Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (DSD) just missed out on a place in the women’s semi-finals finishing fifth in her heat in 2:04.97.

High Performance director Kevin Ankrom reflected on a positive first day of the championships for the Irish:

“It was a great performance by Fionnuala placing fourth and just missing out on a medal. I know she’ll be gutted but her time of 31:30.74 is a great time and bodes well for her marathon preparations for Rio.

“Thomas Barr continued to show signs of improvement coming back from injury and advancing to the semi-finals with a season’s best of 50.17. Siofra narrowly missed out on the semis but she’s had a long season. This meet is exactly what I want our up-and-coming athletes to experience. It definitely makes them hungrier for more knowing they can compete with the best.”

Tomorrow’s action kicks off at 08:35 (Irish time) with Tori Pena (Finn Valle) in the pole vault. Marcus Lawler (SLOT) competes in the men’s 200m at 9:50. At 10:35 Declan Murray (Clonliffe Harriers) and Karl Griffin (UCD) compete in the heats of the men’s 800m. Amy Foster (City of Lisburn) rounds out the morning session of day 2 in the women’s 100m heats at 11:15.

In the afternoon Thomas Barr competes in the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles followed by Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers) in the semi-finals of the men’s 400m at 15:45. Sinead Denny (DSD) takes to the track for the women’s 400m semis at 16:35. Eoin Everard (Kilkenny City Harriers) round out the Irish action in the heats of the men’s 1500m at 17:20.  

For a report of the first session of day 1 click here: http://www.athleticsireland.ie/news/denny-and-gregan-advance-to-european-semis

For the timetable of the Irish click here: http://www.athleticsireland.ie/news/european-championships-timetable-irish-athletes/

Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole) finished a frustrating fourth after a brave run in the women’s 10,000m in 31:30.74 while Olive Loughnane finally got her hands on her world championships gold medal.

It was nearly a double celebration as McCormack put in a battling performance in the women’s 10,000m final to finish fourth to Turkey’s Yasemin Can formerly of Kenya in 31:12.86. It was just outside McCormack’s personal best of 31:29.22 set in 2012.

“It’s more than frustrating finishing fourth but I’m getting back to my best,” said McCormack. Tara Jameson (Sli Cualann) finished 14th in 33:19.85.

For Olive Loughnane the seven year wait was finally over as she was retrospectively rewarded the gold medal for the 20km race walk in Berlin in 2009. “There’s value in sentiment and it was great to share the moment with all the Irish fans here,” said an emotional Loughnane.    

Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) continued his comeback to full fitness with an excellent win in the first heat of the 400m Hurdles with a 50.17 second clocking. “Everything is a bonus now,” said Barr. “I’m building back to fitness and it was important to get through the first round.  

Paul Byrne (St Abban’s) finished fourth in heat 2 of the men’s 400m hurdles in 53.12.

Tomas Cotter (Dunleer) felt flat from the off in heat 1 of the men’s 3,000m steeplechase where he finished 12th in heat 1 in 9:08.82.

Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (DSD) just missed out on a place in the women’s semi-finals finishing fifth in her heat in 2:04.97.

High Performance director Kevin Ankrom reflected on a positive first day of the championships for the Irish:

“It was a great performance by Fionnuala placing fourth and just missing out on a medal. I know she’ll be gutted but her time of 31:30.74 is a great time and bodes well for her marathon preparations for Rio.

“Thomas Barr continued to show signs of improvement coming back from injury and advancing to the semi-finals with a season’s best of 50.17. Siofra narrowly missed out on the semis but she’s had a long season. This meet is exactly what I want our up-and-coming athletes to experience. It definitely makes them hungrier for more knowing they can compete with the best.”

Tomorrow’s action kicks off at 08:35 (Irish time) with Tori Pena (Finn Valle) in the pole vault. Marcus Lawler (SLOT) competes in the men’s 200m at 9:50. At 10:35 Declan Murray (Clonliffe Harriers) and Karl Griffin (UCD) compete in the heats of the men’s 800m. Amy Foster (City of Lisburn) rounds out the morning session of day 2 in the women’s 100m heats at 11:15.

In the afternoon Thomas Barr competes in the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles followed by Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers) in the semi-finals of the men’s 400m at 15:45. Sinead Denny (DSD) takes to the track for the women’s 400m semis at 16:35. Eoin Everard (Kilkenny City Harriers) round out the Irish action in the heats of the men’s 1500m at 17:20.  

For a report of the first session of day 1 click here: http://www.athleticsireland.ie/news/denny-and-gregan-advance-to-european-semis

For the timetable of the Irish click here: http://www.athleticsireland.ie/news/european-championships-timetable-irish-athletes/