European Athletics Championships 2018 - Irish Day 2 Review

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Barr into 400m Hurdles Final

European Championships

Berlin

Tuesday August 7th 2018

Athletics Ireland Release (1pm) - Feidhlim Kelly

Boyce Hits Berlin Wall in Brave Medal Bid

After a brave medal in the men’s 50km race walk, Brendan Boyce (Finn Valley) hit the wall in the final 10k, finishing in 19th place, in 4:02:14, at the European Athletics Championships, in Berlin today, August 7th

The Donegal athlete bravely went with the pace from the get go, despite a hampered preparation in the build-up.

Boyce was cross-training for six weeks, and then had three weeks proper race walking training, due to a stress reaction in his tibia.

“Aerobically I was very fit, but just missing some resistance training,” said Boyce afterwards. “I was looking at going after it positively, and seeing what was possible.”

Earlier in the morning Chris O’Donnell (North Sligo) ran a season’s best of 46.81, to finish 6th from lane 1, in the first heat of the men’s 400m.

“I’m one of the youngest competitors here, and this experience will stand to me to have an impact in future championships,” said 20-year-old O’Donnell afterwards.

Siofra Cleirigh-Buttner (DSD) finished 6th in heat 1 of the 800m, in 2:02.80, while Claire Mooney (UCD) finished 8th in heat 2 of the 800m, in 2:04.26.

“I’m reasonably content, and I’m improving,” said Cleirigh Buttner afterwards who is now finished university in Villanova. Mooney wasn’t overly pleased, but she had given it everything, taking the lead with 250m to go. “I wasn’t strong enough in the end, but I’ll come back better for it,” said Mooney.

Phil Healy (Bandon) competes this evening at 18:05, in the semi-finals of the women's 100m, with Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) on at 19:09 in the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles. Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers) runs in the final of the men's 10,000m, at 19:20 (all Irish times).

Athlete interviews are available on Athletics Ireland social media channels, and also on RTE, where there is extensive coverage of the championships.

Live timetable, results and live stream are on European Athletics

 Athletics Ireland Release (9pm) - Feidhlim Kelly

Barr Clears First Hurdle into European Final

Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) did enough this evening, August 7th, to qualify for the final of the 400m hurdles, at the European Athletics Championships, finishing second in his semi-final, in 49.10, and now has it all to play for in Berlin on Thursday.

Barr will run in lane 8, in Thursday’s final (August 9th), and was pleased to shake off the rustiness and nerves of a first race at the championships. This will be Barr's first European senior final.

“I was nervous, but I always am in the first race, even at the national championships” Barr said positively afterwards. “I can run in any lane, and take the positives for the final. I eased off a bit too much on the top bend, but it’s all to play for in the final.”

Phil Healy (Bandon) was first of the Irish on the track in the evening session, and she finished 7th in her semi-final of the 100m in 11.46. This ranked her 20th overall, exceeding her ranking.

Phil's run rounded out a good 100m campaign this season, going into the season with a PB of 11.49. She will now move on to the 200m.

Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers) had a tough battle in the heavy heat, in the men’s 10,000m final. He too exceeded his ranking, finishing 23rd in 29:46.87

A history of the Irish at the European Athletics Championships  

 
Irish European Championships Timetable

European Championships Preview and Irish Athletes Timetable 2018

Irish Athletes Schedule - Day 3 - Wednesday August 8th

Videos from Day 2 - Tuesday August 7th

Phil Healy Speaking after 100m Semi-Final

Thomas Barr Speaking after his Heat

Brendan Boyce speaking after 50k Walk

Chris O'Donnell Speaking after the Mens 400m

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