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.
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
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/
One of the Championship highlights for Cork and Galway athletics, and indeed Irish athletics, will be the podium presentation of her 2009 World 20km Racewalking Championship medal to Olive Loughnane. The timing of the medal ceremony is still unclear, but is expected to take place around 7pm Irish time. Cork born Olive lives in Coachford, but grew up in Loughrea, Galway, where she was a member of Loughrea AC.
Podium Presentation and Anthem for Olive Loughnane
The Amsterdam2016 App keeps you updated with all the news on the European Athletics Championships, taking place from 6-10 July in Amsterdam. It contains not only the complete programme, but also extensive information on all participating athletes, side events, video’s, a plan of the Olympic Stadium and a social feed. Don’t miss a second of your favourite athletes by putting together your own time schedule and get notified when your favourite events start. Download the app and stay up-to-date!
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Daily Schedules on Cork Athletics Event Calendar
Athletics Ireland Release
The European Athletics Championships gets underway tomorrow with a busy schedule for the Irish and extensive live coverage on RTE 2.
Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers), Craig Lynch (Shercock) and David Gillick (DSD) will compete in the individual 400m at 12:35 Irish time. Mens 400m Startlists
Gregan, a former European U23 silver medallist in 2011, is coached by John Shields and won a thrilling national championships in a season’s best of 46.28. He has a personal best of 45.53 and made the semi-finals in 2014 along with being part of the relay team that set two Irish records and finished fifth. He is a sports science graduate from DCU and will be looking to match his performances from Zurich.
Craig Lynch makes his individual debut at this level and ran a personal best of 46.40 to finish second at the recent national championships. He is coached by Jeremy Lyons and is a secondary school science teacher. Lynch has formed the backbone of relay teams in recent years having stepped up from the 100m and 200m.
David Gillick, the Irish record holder with 44.77, has made an excellent return to competitive action and has been guided by Athletics Ireland Regional Development Officer Daniel Kilgallon in Tallaght. Gillick will be looking to use his experience and guide the relay team to more success and an Olympic berth.
Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) and Paul Byrne (St Abban’s) compete in the 400m Hurdles at 14:05 Irish time. Mens 400m Hurdles Startlist
Barr and Byrne train together in the University of Limerick under the guidance of Haley and Drew Harrison. Barr has a best of 48.65 seconds and famously won the World University Games last year. He has just been returning to action from injury and made his outdoor competitive debut at the national championships – winning his fifth national title.
Paul Byrne made the move down to Limerick to train with Barr and it has paid dividends. Byrne has a personal best of 50.72 seconds and set a national 300m hurdles best of 36.88 back in 2014. He competed in the European U23 Championships in 2011 and makes his senior debut in Amsterdam.
Tomas Cotter (Dunleer) makes his senior championship debut in the 3,000m steeplechase at 16:55. The Louth man has been based in the United States the last number of years and made an NCAA final for Wichita State University. He is guided by long-time coach David Carrie who has made a major impact in Dunleer guiding hundreds of runners across the line in the Dublin Marathon.
Claire Mooney (Naas) and Sinead Denny (DSD) go in the 400m at 12:10 Irish time having had excellent seasons to date. Womens 400m Startlist
Mooney has returned from St John’s University in New York where she has had a breakthrough season clocking 53.17 seconds for the one lap distance.
Sinead Denny has been going from strength to strength over the last number of years and is coached by Paul Opperman who was on the men’s 4x400m relay team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (DSD) is another to have had an excellent season making the NCAA championships with Villanova and dominating the national 800m – she has a personal best of 2:02.37. Womens 800m Startlist
Cleirigh Buttner, who runs at 17:25, had an exceptional schools career for Colaiste Iosagain where she was unbeaten for six years. She is coached by Gina Procaccio in Villanova who ran with Sonia O’Sullivan during her time there as an athlete.
Wicklow women Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole), nee Britton, and Tara Jameson (Sli Cualann) run in the women’s 10,000m final at 18:00. McCormack is a two-time European Cross Country Champion and has a European 3,000m indoor bronze medal. She has a best of 31:29.22 and finished an agonising fourth back in 2012. She is currently self-coached alongside her husband Alan McCormack – a former national cross country champion.
Tara Jameson had an excellent last season with Iona College finishing 7th in the NCAA 10,000m final. She has a personal best of 32:52.92 and is coached by Ricardo Santos. This is her senior championships debut.
European Athletics will also stream the event live on www.european-athletics.org homepage with English-language commen their respective Gold Medalstary, meaning athletics fans around the world will be able to watch the championships live in their entirety. The live streaming platform is provided in partnership with European Athletics' principal sponsor SPAR.
With the streaming of the individual feeds on http://www.eurovisionsports.tv/ platform, fans will also be able to follow the live streaming of specific events in their entirety.
As usual, Live Results will be available at www.european-athletics.org.
We also invite fans to follow all the latest news on Twitter @EuroAthletics, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. They can also share reactions via #ECH2016.
| DAY 1. WEDNESDAY JULY 6. | (1 PROGRAMME) |
| LOCAL TIME - AMSTERDAM | IRISH TIME |
| 16.30 - 19.45 | 15.30 - 18.45 |
| DAY 2. THURSDAY JULY 7. | (1 PROGRAMME) |
| LOCAL TIME - AMSTERDAM | IRISH TIME |
| 15.30 - 20.00 | 14.30 - 19.00 |
| DAY 3. FRIDAY JULY 8. | (1 PROGRAMME) |
| LOCAL TIME - AMSTERDAM | IRISH TIME |
| 17.30 - 21.55 | 16.30 - 20.55 |
| DAY 4. SATURDAY JULY 9. | (1 PROGRAMME) |
| LOCAL TIME - AMSTERDAM | IRISH TIME |
| 19.00 - 22.10 | 18.00 - 21.10 |
| DAY 5. SUNDAY JULY 10. | (2 PROGRAMMES) |
| LOCAL TIME - AMSTERDAM | IRISH TIME |
| PROGRAMME 1 | |
| 09.15 - 11.00 | 08.15 - 10.00 |
| PROGRAMME 2 | |
| 16.45 - 19.25 | 15.45 - 18.25 |
Wednesday July 6
12.10 Women’s 400m heats – Claire Mooney, Sinead Denny
12.35 Men’s 400m heats – Brian Gregan, Craig Lynch, David Gillick, Richard Morrissey
14.05 Men’s 400m hurdles heats – Thomas Barr, Paul Byrne
16.55 Men’s steeplechase heats – Tom Cotter
17.25 Women’s 800m heats – Siofra Cleirigh Buttner
18.00 Women’s 10,000m – Fionnuala McCormack, Tara Jameson
Thursday July 7
09.35 Women’s pole vault Q – Tori Pena
10.50 Men’s 200 heats – Marcus Lawler
15.15 Women’s 100m heats – Amy Foster
15.15 Men’s 400m hurdles SF
17.35 Women’s 400m SF
18.20 Men’s 1500m heats – Eoin Everard
18.48 Women’s 800m SF
Friday July 8
12.55 Men’s 110m hurdles heats – Ben Reynolds
13.30 Women’s steeplechase heats – Sarah Treacy, Michelle Finn, Kerry Harty
14.15 Women’s 400m hurdles heats – Christine McMahon
18.15 Women’s 1500 heats – Ciara Mageean, Rose Ann Galligan
18.50 Men’s 200m SF
19.15 Women’s 100m SF
19.40 Men’s 400m hurdles final
20.25 Women’s 400m final
21.25 Men’s steeplechase final
Saturday July 9
13.55 Women’s 4×400m heats
14.10 Men’s high jump – Barry Pender
12.25 Men’s 4×400m heats
19.15 Men’s 110m hurdles SF
19.20 Women’s pole vault final
19.40 Men’s 4×100m heats
20.00 Women’s 4×100m heats
20.20 Women’s 5000m final – Mary Cullen, Deirdre Byrne
21.40 Women’s 800m final
21.50 Men’s 1500m final
Sunday July 10
9.30 Women’s half marathon – Gladys Ganiel, Claire McCarthy
9.50 Men’s half marathon – Kevin Seaward, Mick Clohisey,??
17.00 Men’s high jump final
17.15 Women’s steeplechase final
17.35 Women’s 4×100m final
17.45 Women’s 1500m final
17.55 Men’s 4×100m final
18.10 Men’s 5000m final – Kevin Batt
18.30 Men’s 800m final
18.40 Women’s 4×400m final
18.50 Men’s 4×400m final
Increase of Nine Registrations in the Past Week - Week ending July 3rd
The Athletics Ireland Monthly Registration Report is due in the next few day. Between the small increase in Cork registrations and the expected National report, the weekly registration analysis has been deferred. Instead a brief analysis in presented:
| Age Cat | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Juvenile | 1758 | 1840 |
| Junior | 21 | 20 |
| Senior | 271 | 340 |
| 35-39 | 255 | 354 |
| 40-44 | 319 | 424 |
| 45-49 | 247 | 239 |
| 50-54 | 151 | 132 |
| 55-59 | 71 | 64 |
| 60-64 | 47 | 18 |
| 65-69 | 30 | 4 |
| 70-74 | 19 | 5 |
| 75-79 | 3 | 2 |
| 80-84 | 8 | 2 |
| Division | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| City | 1089 | 620 | 469 |
| East | 1454 | 637 | 817 |
| North | 1729 | 819 | 910 |
| West | 2372 | 1124 | 1248 |
 |  |
| Lousie Shanahan (Leevale AC) | Shane Howard (Bandon AC) |
There were a number of fine performances despite adverse weather conditions at the GloHealth National Junior and U23 Track and Field Championships in Tullamore today (July 2nd).
A number of athletes were looking to seal selection for the European Youth Championships and World Junior Athletics Championships with national medals up for grabs.
For full results: http://www.athleticsirelandenterprises.com/results_02072016/schedule.html
Michaela Walsh (Swinford) impressed in the throws once more with a double in the Junior Women’s shot put and hammer. Walsh sent the shot out 15.06m and the hammer out to 55.85m.
In the sprints Sean Lawlor (Donore Harriers) won the Junior Men’s 100m (+0.3) in 10.85 seconds from Tallaght’s Joseph Ojewumi in 10.94 and Eoin Doherty in 10.98.
Molly Scott (SLOT) edged Ciara Neville (Emerald) an exciting Junior Women’s 100m (-1.9) in 12.02 to 12.05.
Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport) winning streak continued in the Junior Women’s 200m (-1.3) with a time of 24.04 seconds ahead of Elizabeth Morland (Cushinstown) in 24.44 and Ciara Neville in 25.02. Morland won the Junior high jump earlier in the day with a best of 1.71m.
Ryan Carthy Walshe (Adamstown) won the Junior high jump with 2.05m while Jaime Murtagh (Cushinstown) won the U23 section with 2.08m
Jenna Bromell (Emerald) and Mollie O’Reilly (DSD) did battle in the Junior Women’s 400m with Bromell getting the win in 54.26 seconds – O’Reilly finished second in 55.52, just outside a second World Junior B qualifier.
The Junior Women’s 800m proved to be a tactical affair with Louise Shanahan (Leevale) getting the better of Carla Sweeney (WSAF) and Rose Finnegan (Bohermeen) in a finishing kick. Shanahan won in 2:17.64 with Sweeney clocking 2:18.21 and Finnegan recording 2:18.97.
Amy O’Donoghue (Emerald) impressed in the U23 women’s 800m with a front-running victory in 2:10.90.
Callum Crawford Walker (Annadale Striders) had the edge in the Junior Men’s 800m winning in 1:58.09 while Harry Purcell (Trim) just held off Conall Kirk in the U23 section after going through the first lap in a swift 51 seconds. Purcell tied up badly but won in 1:52.10 ahead of Kirk in 1:52.27.
Emma O’Brien (Sli Cualann A.C.) was a convincing winner of the Junior Women’s 1500m with 4:38.09. William Crowe (North Sligo) held on for the win in the Junior Men’s 1500m in 3:59.88 from Jack O’Leary (Mullingar Harriers) in 4:00.17 and Pierre Murchan (DCH) in 4:02.09.
In the Junior Men’s shot put Anu Awonusi (SLOT) returned to form with a best of 16.89m while John Kelly (Finn Valley) won the U23 section with 15.67m.
Owen Russell (St. Andrew’s) won a great tussle against Adam King (Iveragh) in the Junior Men’s hammer. Russell won with a best of 70.33m ahead of King’s 69.50m – both men are bound for the World Junior Championships in Poland later this month.
Shane Howard (Bandon) backed up his National Senior medal by winning the U23 men’s long jump with 7.32m and Sarah McCarthy (Mid Sutton) won the U23 women’s long jump with 5.68m in what were bad conditions for jumping.
Saragh Buggy (St Abban’s) added the U23 women’s triple jump to her National Senior title with a best of 12.39m while Ellen McCartney (City of Lisburn) won the Junior Women’s pole vault with 3.40m.
Athletics Ireland Vetting Policy
Athletics Ireland Child Welfare Facebook page
Athletics Ireland is commencing eVetting with the National Vetting Bureau of an Garda Síochána, on Monday July 4th.
eVetting will make processing a vetting application faster, and reduce the administration of the system. The National Vetting Bureau will not accept any more paper vetting applications from Athletics Ireland as it transfers to the eVetting system. All paper applications received to date will be processed and completed, as normal. Please do not sent any more paper vetting applications to Athletics Ireland.
Athletics Ireland has developed a one page eVetting Invitation & ID Validation form that can be downloaded here, or on the link below. This form contains the legal declarations required to send an applicant an eVetting invitation by email. The applicants signature is required to authorise the eVetting process. This is the only form that will be required to be posted to Athletics Ireland to trigger an eVetting invitation.
This is a new way for Athletics Ireland to manage its vetting processes. There have been a number of changes in vetting as a consequence of the Vetting Act, which commenced in April. Athletics Ireland thanks all the Club Children's Officers who coordinated and implemented the required policy changes.
Vetting is now a legal requirement and an important part of our safe recruitment processes along with acceptable references and safeguarding training. Athletics Ireland is confident that the transfer to the eVetting system will be smooth and easier for members to engage with. If any club has any queries about vetting please contact Kieron Stout on 086 2450134, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
download the eVetting Invitation & ID Validation form
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.
Statistics of the Irish at the European Championships
Olive Loughnane has been presented with her World Championship Gold Medal, from the 12th World Championships, Berlin, in 2009. The Presentation ceremony, complete with the raising of the Tricolour and recital of the National Anthem, took place at approx. 7:30pm this evening, Wed July 6th.
The Presentation was made by Lord Sebastian Coe, IAAF President, accompanied by Svein Arne Hansen, European Athletics President.
Olive also had another flag, which was unclear initially, but with a bit of help from Sebastian Coe, who helped sort it out, it emerged as the Loughrea AC flag - flag of Olive's club.
Also making a cameo appearance, early in the proceedings, was West Waterford AC's James Veale.
Loughnane was upgraded to gold after Olga Kaninska's competition results were annulled
Olive Loughnane admitted it felt both “surreal" and "emotional" to receive a gold medal for her 2009 World Championship performance seven years after her heroics in Berlin.
The now retired athlete was upgraded from her silver medal at the 20km race walk after Russian Olga Kaninska’s competition results were annulled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) earlier this year.
Loughnane produced a season’s best time of 1:28:58 to chase home Kaniskina at the Berlin championships and saw off the challenge of Chinese walker Liu Hong for the battle for silver.
Kaninska’s case saw the Irish woman awarded her gold medal in Amsterdam during the ongoing European Championships.
A lot has changed for 40-year-old in the intervening years, but says she got goosebumps when she arrived at the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium to receive her gold earlier today.
“It’s all a bit surreal now. I’m retired three years,” she told RTÉ Sport.
“I have two small children at home. My daughter who was three then is 10 now. It’s a bit of a different world.”
The athlete still has fond memories of that glorious day in Germany and is happy that here perseverance on the day has paid off with the race win.
“I went there and I wanted to win a medal. It’s still so clear even though it was seven years ago,” she said.
“From about 13km in I was in a medal position. I was over and back with the Chinese girl (Liu Hong) for silver and bronze and the Russian girl (Kaniskina) had gone clear.
“I did eventually win that battle and obviously that has been so crucial because instead of going from bronze to silver, I’m going from silver to gold.”
The highs of Berlin contrasted sharply with her disappointment of the London Olympics three years later.
The Cork-born athlete said it was an “emotionally draining” experience and evidence of her high standards can be found in her recollection of the day.
“I went out there to win a medal and I got absolutely hammered,” she says, reflecting on her 13th place finish.
The annulment of Kaninska’s results is yet another example of the drugs controversy engulfing Russian athletics, but Loughnane does not harbour any bitterness to the athletes themselves, and indeed is thankful that Irish athletics takes a much harder line on doping.
“I didn’t ever dwell on the ‘what might have beens’ then and I’m not dwelling on them now,” she added.
“A gold medal is the icing on the cake, I truly feel like I have it all now"
“In a sense, those girls are victims because the system is such that you can’t compete without being part of the system, and that system involves drugs.
“As an athlete who comes from a country where far from being encouraged, you’d be hunted down if you were dirty, I’m very proud to be from a country like that.
“I wonder what those girls go through, what it’s going to be like for them.”
The day however belongs to Loughnane and is a recognition of the outstanding achievements from one of our most talented athletes
“A gold medal is the icing on the cake, I truly feel like I have it all now.”
Olive Loughnane is to be presented with her World Championship Gold Medal, from the 12th World Championships, Berlin, in 2009. The full ceremony, complete with podium presentation and the Irish National Anthem, will take place on Wednesday next, July 6th, in Amsterdam's Olympic Stadium, during the European Athletics Championships.
The presentation is scheduled to take place around 20:00, local time (19:00, Irish time)and will be made by Sebastian Coe, President of the IAAF. Also being presented with Gold is Norway's Trond Nymark, 50km Racewalk Champion, also from 2009.
Olive Loughnane's IAAF Profile
Olive is being presented with the Gold medal following the banning of Russian Olga Kaniskina for irregularities in her biological passport. Originally banned by the IAAF, Kaniskina, along with ARAF, the Russian Federation, appealed the decision to C.A.S., the Court of Arbitration in Sport, however this appeal was rejected by CAS
"Olga Kaniskina
It is unclear whether RTE2 will be covering the presentation Live. While the TV station will be covering much of the Championships on Wednesday, from 10:00am to 18:50pm, when it changes sports, to cover the European Soccer Championships Semi-Final, the presentation is due to take place pretty much around the time of the changeover.
If the presentation is not covered live on RTE, there are plenty of other opportunities to see it live, as per European Athletics Release below
European Athletics is pleased to announce strong broadcast intentions have been received for the Amsterdam 2016 European Athletics Championships.
With just two days to go, broadcasters in at least 32 European countries have already submitted their intentions for the 23rd edition of the championships. In addition, pan-European channel Eurosport plans to show the majority of the championships live across its 54 territories.
According to the latest figures received by European Athletics, there will be more than 900 hours of television coverage over the five days of the championships, including more than 800 hours of live coverage.
"The expected television coverage confirms the value broadcasters attach to a European Athletics Championships held during the Olympic year," said European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen.
"The number of hours are higher than we expected considering the more compact five-day format instead of six and with no race walks or marathon (half marathon has been added) in the programme."
European Athletics will also stream the event live on www.european-athletics.org homepage with English-language commentary, meaning athletics fans around the world will be able to watch the championships live in their entirety. The live streaming platform is provided in partnership with European Athletics' principal sponsor SPAR.
With the streaming of the individual feeds on http://www.eurovisionsports.tv/ platform, fans will also be able to follow the live streaming of specific events in their entirety.
As usual, Live Results will be available at www.european-athletics.org.
We also invite fans to follow all the latest news on Twitter @EuroAthletics, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. They can also share reactions via #ECH2016.
Tblisi, Georgia - July 14th - 17th 2016
Charlie O'Donovan, Leevale AC, is the sole Cork representative on the thirty-one person Irish Youth Team for this month's European Youth Championships, to be held in Tblisi, Georgia, from July 14th to 17th. Charlie has been selected to run in the 1500m.
| Gina Akpe-Moses | Blackrock & Birchfield | 100m |
|---|---|---|
| Ciara Neville | Emerald | 100m |
| Aoife Lynch | Donore Harriers | 200m |
| Janine Boyle | Finn Valley | 200m |
| Emma O'Brien | Slí Culainn | 1500m |
| Amy O'Brien | Inbhear Dee | 2000m S/C |
| Molly Scott | St. L O'Toole | 100mh |
| Arlene Crossan | Finn Valley | 400mh |
| Sommer Lecky | Finn Valley | High Jump |
| Niamh Fogarty | North Westmeath | Discus |
| Shannon Sheehy | Cushinstown | Heptathlon |
| Kate O'Connor | Dundalk St. Gerards | Heptathlon |
| Niamh O'Connor | Celbridge | 5K Walk |
| Orla O'Connor | Waterford | 5K Walk |
| David McDonald | Menapians | 100m |
| Aaron Sexton | North Down | 200m |
| Luke Morris | Newbridge | 200m |
| Jamie Mitchell | Emerald | 400m |
| Alex Clarkin | Donore | 110mh |
| Kevin McGrath | Bohermeen | 800m |
| Rory Lodge | Kilkenny C H | 800m |
| Bobby Crowley | St. L O'Toole | 1500m |
| Charlie O'Donovan | Leevale | 1500m |
| Craig McMeechan | North Down | 3000m |
| Micheal Power | West Waterford | 3000m |
| Cathal Locke | Dooneen | 400mh |
| Ryan Carthy-Walsh | Adamstown | High Jump |
| Darragh Gaffney | North Westmeath | Discus |
| Brendan O'Donnell | Lifford | Hammer |
| Daniel Ryan | Moycarkey Coolcroo | Decathlon |
| Gearóid McMahon | Shannon | 10K Walk |
Athletics Ireland Release - July 1st
The GloHealth National Junior and U23 Track and Field Championships sees Ireland’s best up-and-coming athletes on show in Tullamore tomorrow (July 2nd).
A number of athletes will be looking to seal selection for the European Youth Championships and World Junior Athletics Championships but for the majority it will be about shining on the national stage in the first major competition of July. Link to fixtures for timetable: http://www.athleticsireland.ie/competition/fixtures/
In the sprints junior athletes will be aiming to make relay teams. In the junior men’s 100m Tallaght duo Joseph Ojewumi and Eoin Doherty will take on the likes of Sean Lawlor (Donore Harriers) and Cillin Greene (Galway City Harriers).
Among the listed athletes in the junior women’s 100m are Ciara Neville (Emerald), Molly Scott (SLOT) and Janine Boyle (Finn Valley) to name but three of the contenders.
Phil Healy (Bandon), bound for the European Championships next week, is listed in the women’s U23 100m while Kieran Elliot (North Sligo), Eanna Madden (Carrick on Shannon) and Andrew Mellon (North Down/Queens) are among those listed for the U23 100m.
Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport) has been in impressive form this season and she is listed on the junior women’s 200m entries while in the one lap event Jenna Bromell (Emerald) and Mollie O’Reilly (DSD) are down to compete. O’Reilly will be hoping Bromell can drag her to an all-important second World junior B qualifier.
Elizabeth Morland (Cushinstown)is another to have caught the headlines this season and is listed for a number of events including the junior women’s 200m. Morland won the 100m hurdles at the Cork City Sports and will compete in the Heptathlon at the world juniors in Poland in July.
The junior women’s 800m promises to be an exciting race with Carla Sweeney (WSAF), Rose Finnegan (Bohermeen) and Louise Shanahan (Leevale) among the listed athletes. Sweeney has her spot booked for the world juniors but both Finnegean and Shanahan need another B standard – it is sure to be a fast race.
Aaron McGlynn (Finn Valley) and Kevin McGrath (Bohermeen) are among those listed in a high quality junior men’s 800m with Harry Purcell (Trim) the lead entry in the U23 section.
Michaela Walsh (Swinford) has been in record-breaking form in the shot put with a new national junior record of 15.15m and the national senior silver medallist is red hot favourite for gold. Finn Valley brothers, James and John, will be leading competitors in the respective junior men’s and U23 men’s shot put.
The friendly rivalry between Adam King (Iveragh) and Owen Russell (St. Andrew’s)is set to be rekindled in the junior men’s hammer. King got the better of Russell at the junior international in Mannheim last weekend but Russell is the national junior record holder with his throw of 71.20m this year.
In the jumps some of the leading contenders will be Keith Marks (Clonliffe Harriers) in the junior men’s long, Shane Howard (Bandon) in the U23s long jump and Sarah McCarthy (Mid Sutton) in the U23 women’s long jump.
Saragh Buggy set a championship best performance of 12.96m in the triple jump at the national seniors last weekend and she will be the favourite in the U23 section.
Action gets underway from 10:30am and there will be extensive coverage on social media.
Clubs are reminded that the Closing Date for the Glohealth National Juvenile Inter Club Relays Under 12 -19 is TOMORROW, Friday July 1st
Clubs, with relay teams finishing in the first three (3) in the County Championships, who wish to take part in the National Juvenile Inter Club Relays must enter the teams themselves -
Online entry - Athletics Ireland website
Timetable
