News

The European Athletics Championships got off to a flying start for the Irish in Rome this morning, with both Ciara Mageean and Sarah Healy securing safe passage through to Sunday’s 1500m final.

Mageean, who went in the first of the 1500m heats, clocked a comfortable 4:06.81Q to finish 3rd, while Healy crossed in 4th place in the second of the heats in a time of 4:12.30Q.

Both Mageean and Healy will return for Sunday’s 1500m final set for 9.36pm Irish time.

There was disappointment for Mark English who bowed out of the championships following a 5th place finish (1:46.73) in the second of the 800m heats, while Michelle Finn ended her championships with a 9:46.93 (14th) in the first of the 3000m steeplechase heats.

Results Summary:

• Ciara Mageean 1500m 4:06.81 Q (3rd in heat 1)
• Sarah Healy 1500m 4:12.30 Q (4th in heat 2)
• Mark English 800m 1:46.73 (5th in heat 2)
• Michelle Finn 3000m Sc 9:46.93 (14th in heat1)

Full results list can be found HERE.

Relay Final to Headline Day 1 Evening Session (Friday June 7th):

The evening session will see Eric Favors lead out the Irish in action with the Raheny Shamrock going in the Shot Put qualifying from 6.55pm.

Israel Olatunde (Tallaght AC) takes to the starting blocks for the heats of the 100m at 8.18pm, with the Tallaght AC athlete looking to repeat his heroics at these championships in 2022.

Ireland’s penultimate involvement on Friday will be an exciting one, with the mixed 4x400m relay team taking their place in the final alongside Belgium, Czech Republic, France, GB&NI, Netherlands, Poland, and hosts Italy (9.20pm). (A further release with team selection will follow later this afternoon).

Rounding out day 1 for Team Ireland will be Jodie McCann in the women’s 5000m final. McCann has been in flying form in Australia this season and will very much have sights on breaking into the top-12. The race looks stacked with several sub-15-minute athletes entered including home favourite Nadia Battocletti.

Irish Athlete Schedule (times listed in Irish time with Italian local time in brackets):

Evening Session

• Eric Favors – Men’s Shot Put – Qualification – 18:55 (19:55)
• Israel Olatunde – Men’s 100m – Round One – 20:10 (21:10)
• Mixed 4x400m Relay – Final – 21:20 (22:20)
• Jodie McCann – Women’s 5000m – Final – 21:40 (22:40)