Ireland's Thomas Barr Leads Four Irish Qualifiers On Day 1 Of The European Athletics Championships In Zurich

Ireland's Thomas Barr (Ferrybank AC) got the Irish team off to the perfect start with victory in his heat of the 400m Hurdles on day one of the European Athletics Championships in Zurich. Barr was drawn in lane two and needed to be in the top four to be sure of automatic qualification for the next round. He won the race impressively in a time of 49.79 seconds as he ran smoothly over the ten barriers.

Commenting afterwards Barr said "I came out to hopefully win it, so I am happy with that; the early start was a bit of shock to the system. I am confident now after that performance."

Barr will be in action again in the semi-finals on Wednesday, 13th of August.

There was no luck for team mate Jason Harvey (Crusaders AC) as he finished seventh in his 400m Hurdles heat in a time of 51.91. Harvey attacked the first 300m aggressively but then struggled slightly in the last 100m. Harvey said "It's just so frustrating, I had prepared well up until the Commonwealth Games and then I picked up an ankle injury, I thought I would be ok today, it just wasn't to be its very frustrating as I know I am capable of better."

Amy Foster (City of Lisburn) placed fifth in her 100m heat in a time of 11.51 to qualify as a fastest loser for the semi-finals. Foster blasted from the blocks and fought all the way to the line to record the same time as the fourth placed athlete.

Foster said "I am not happy to not get the automatic qualification, it was really close. I felt I got a good start and lost it a bit towards the end. I'll re-focus now for the semi-finals."
19 year old Phil Healy was also competing in the 100m heats as she finished sixth in her race in a time of 11.53 which unfortunately wasn't enough to qualify her for the semi-finals.

Commenting afterward Healy said "It was an unbelievable experience, I am gutted that I didn't get the fastest loser spot, I only missed it by two one hundredths. I'll look back at the race later and use that to improve on for next season. We still have the relay to come which I am looking forward to on Saturday".

Irish 400m athletes Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers AC) and Richard Morrissey (Crusaders AC) both secured qualification for the semi-finals of the 400m. Morrissey finished sixth in his heat in a new personal best of 46.20 to qualify as a fastest loser for the semi-finals. Commenting afterwards Morrissey said "Great to get a PB, great to be in a class race like that and get a PB, hopefully more to come now in the semi-finals."

Gregan finished third in his heat in a time of 46.33 to qualify automatically for the semi-finals. Gregan attacked the race aggressively from the beginning and looked in control coming down the finishing straight as he secured automatic qualification for the semi-finals.

Commenting afterwards Gregan said "I felt good today; I wanted to be sure of qualification and did what I had to do today. I felt in control and I am ready to roll now for the semi-final tomorrow."
There was no luck for Ireland's Sarah Lavin (UCD AC) as she placed eight in her heat of the 100m Hurdles in a time of 13.35. Making her debut at the championships Lavin was drawn next to Anne Zagre of Belgium, the eventual heat winner in a fast 12.86 seconds.

Lavin said "I am gutted with that as I know I can run better than that, I knew coming in that I would need a big personal best to get through and I know I am capable of that, it just didn't happen today." Next up for Ireland will be Declan Murray and Mark English in the heats of the 800m and Fionnuala Britton in the final of the 10,000m at 19.10pm this evening.