Irish Athletes Impress On Day One of the European Track and Field Championships

Phil Healy (Bandon AC) stormed into the final of the 100m on day one of the European U20 Track and Field Championships in Rieti, Italy. Healy was the first of the Irish in action this morning as she won her heat in a new personal best time of 11.63. Healy excelled once again in her semi-final when she finished in second place in a time of 11.92 to earn a place in the final. The final takes place on Thursday, 19th of July at 17.25 and Healy is the fourth fastest qualifier going into that final.

Aislinn Crossey (Newry A.C) and Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (Dundrum South Dublin AC) both progressed to the final of the 800m.

Crossey was drawn in the second semi-final along with the favourite for the title Anita Hinriksdottir of Iceland. The Icelandic athlete set a blistering pace from the offset going through the opening 400m in 57.81. Crossey was running comfortable in fourth place and closing in on the third place athlete coming off the top bend. Hinriksdottir went on to win the race in a time of 2:02.61 with Crossey running brilliantly for third place in a new personal best of 2:05.50.

Buttner joined her team mate in the final with a confident run to secure second place in the third semi-final. The race was run at a much slower pace than the previous heat with Buttner running close to the leaders shoulder throughout. The German athlete Christine Gess was rewarded for her front running tactics as she coasted to victory in a time of 2:07.92. Buttner produced a gutsy effort to secure automatic qualification for the final to finish in second place in a time of 2:08.34.

Ireland had three athletes competing in the men's 1500m heats and while it was joy for some it proved heartbreaking for others. Sean Tobin (Clonmel AC) and Shane Fitzsimons (Mullingar Harriers) were drawn in the first semi-final, with the top four automatically qualifying for the final.

Fitzsimons was the reluctant early leader passing the 400m point in 62.20. Tobin along with the rest of the field were all still in contention as the pace continued to slow through 800m in 2:08.03. Tobin was running very comfortable and he produced an impressive turn of speed over the last 300m to win the heat in a time of 3:50.31. Fitzsimons was unlucky to be run out of the qualifying positions but will undoubtedly learn from this experience as he goes forward in his athletic career.

Ruairi Finnegan (Letterkenny AC) was involved in a much quicker second semi-final as the athletes reached the 800m point in under two minutes. Finnegan was running the race for the life as he stayed close to the leading athletes. The pace continued to build and Finnegan stormed down the home straight to finish in third place in a new personal best of 3:44.60. The final of the men's 1500m will take place on Saturday, 20th of July at 17.55.