O Neill finishes fifth at IPC Athletics World Championships

Catherine O'Neill from Wexford this morning finished fifth in the Women's F51-53 Discus Final in Lyon. O'Neill, defending champion from New Zealand in 2011 did her very best to secure a medal throwing a season's best in her fourth attempt with 5.51m. The event was won by Paralympic Champion, Great Britain's Josie Pearson.
After the race, O'Neill stated: "I came here to win a medal and did my very best. It was my best performance since London and I was happy with my throwing. Unfortunately it left me outside the medals on this occasion."
Head of Paralympic Athletics in Ireland, James Nolan, commented: "Catherine was throwing first in her event. As usual she rose to the occasion and produced her seasons best at the major championship."
Ireland's youngest team member Heather Jameson started her campaign in the semi-finals of the T37 Womens 200m. Jameson ran strongly to finish in a seasons best time of 32.16 leaving her outside the qualifying places for the final. She will be back in action in the Long Jump and 100m later in the week.
Jameson commented: "I found the process of going through warm up, checks and the call rooms very beneficial and it should ease the nerves in my later events. Nevertheless I'm pleased to have run a season's best."
James Nolan reflecting on Jameson's performance stated: "It was always going to be difficult for Heather in that company. She performed well to get a season's best. Her best event, the long jump, is later in the week."
Orla Barry from Cork finished seventh in the Women's F55-57 Shot Put this morning also. Her 2nd throw of 7.20m was enough for her to secure a place in the final eight athletes and secured three further throws. She couldn't improve on her previous throw and finished a strong seventh position. Barry will compete in the Discus final later in the week, the event she won a bronze medal in at London 2012.
The evening session today is keenly awaited as both Jason Smyth (16:23) and Antrim's Michael McKillop (15:07) seek gold medals in the T13 200m and T37 800m finals respectively.