Gregan & Barr Family Impress on Day One European Track and Field Champs

Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers AC) scorched to new personal best time of 45.63 to win his heat of the men's 400m on day one of the European Track and Field Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Gregan ran a brilliant race from the offset and cruised down the home straight to an impressive victory. Gregan's time of 45.63 was the quickest of all the qualifiers to the semi-finals, which are scheduled for 4.40pm Irish time on Thursday, 28th of June.

Commenting afterwards Gregan said "I am absolutely thrilled with the time and the win. We have worked a lot on my technique this year and I think that really showed. I felt fresh and I am now looking forward to the semi-finals where I won't be holding anything back."

Thomas Barr (Ferrybank AC) looked equally impressive when finishing a magnificent second in round one of the men's 400m hurdles. Barr ran a seasonal best time of 50.59 to secure automatic qualification into the semi-finals. Barr at only 19 is one of the youngest members of the 26 strong Irish team and is making his senior Irish debut at these championships. Barr produced a mature performance sailing safely through to the semi-finals, which are scheduled for tomorrow morning (27th June) at 11.15am Irish time. Commenting after the race Barr said "I felt really good coming down the back straight and from there I felt stronger and stronger as the race went on. I am delighted to be under 51 seconds again and to secure automatic qualification. I am just going to rest now and then give it my all in the semi finals"

Irish team mate Jason Harvey (Crusaders AC) also competed in the men's 400m hurdles heats. Harvey finished in sixth place in a time of 51.83, just outside his season's best of 51.67 and will not progress to the semi-final.

Jessie Barr, sister to Thomas (Ferrybank AC) made it a great day for the Barr household when she finished third in her heat of the women's 400m hurdles. Barr ran a time of 56.30 to book an automatic place in the semi finals. Barr's time was the second fastest of her career, just behind her personal best of 56.14, which she set this year. Barr said "I am relieved to finish third; the aim beforehand was to secure automatic qualification. I was hoping to go sub 56 but if I can get my stride pattern sorted before the semi-finals hopefully that will come"

Double Para-Olympian champion Jason Smyth (City of Derry AC) finished fourth in the men's 100m heats in a time of 10.47. Smyth was sluggish coming out of the blocks but rallied well to secure the all important fourth place to qualify automatically for the semi finals. Commenting afterwards Smyth said "I was glad to get my first race back in Europe out of the way and I will now aim to go quicker in the semi-finals"

Amy Foster (City of Lisburn AC) finished seventh in heat two of the women's 100m. Foster recorded a time of 11.58 which was just outside her seasonal best time of 11.50. The time meant that Foster did not qualify for the semi-finals, only missing out on qualification by .05.

Next up for the Irish is Joanne Cuddihy (Kilkenny City Harriers AC) in the women's 400m at 15.50 Irish time. Jason Smyth (City of Derry AC) will then compete in the men's 100m semi finals at 18.20 Irish time.