News

Relay Hero O’Donnell Qualifies for 400M Semi-Final

Relay hero Christopher O’Donnell has secured his passage to tomorrow evening’s 400m semi-final with a brilliant 4th place finish in this morning’s heats, just fourteen hours on from helping Ireland claim a historic relay gold medal last night.

Racing in the first of the 400m heats, the North Sligo AC athlete crossed in a time of 45.69SB which will see him return to the track once again tomorrow evening (7.38pm).

Before that however, O’Donnell will join his relay teammates Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr, and Sharlene Mawdsley on the top of the podium at the Medal Plaza in Rome where they will collect their European gold medals.

Results Summary:

• Christopher O’Donnell – Men’s 400m – 45.69q

Full results can be found HERE.

Lavin 7th in Europe, Fay 14th 

Limerick’s Sarah Lavin has ended her 2024 European Championships with a 7th place finish in the women’s 100m hurdles final in Rome this evening (June 8th).

The Irish record holder was unfortune to clip the second hurdle which halted her momentum, ultimately seeing her cross in a time of 12.94.

Speaking after the race, a visibly emotional Lavin said, “I got out well to the first hurdle but then smashed the second, so the race was gone. Right now, it’s just very raw. It’s not the placing, it’s that I know my performance is much better than that.”

Looking at the positives, Lavin said, “I’m sure in a few days I’ll be grateful the Olympic is only a few weeks away and I’ll come back, but if loosing didn’t hurt winning wouldn’t matter.”

The race was won in a new championship record time of 12.31 from France’s Cyréna Samba-Mayela who was followed home by Ditaji Kambunji 12.40 and Pia Skrzyszowska 12.42.

It was 14th in Europe for Brian Fay who stuck on bravely to cross in 13:29.48 in the 5,000m. The Raheny athlete also holds an entry in the 10,000m final on Wednesday.

Earlier in the schedule, Israel Olatunde finished 6th in his 100m semi-final with a 10.40 which was not enough to progress to the final he graced in 2022. The Tallaght AC athlete had to contend with a lengthy delay and several false starts which was anything but ideal.

Attention will now turn to the men’s 4x100m relay team, with Olatunde likely to play a leading role in Tuesday’s heats.

Oisin Lane finished 23rd in the men’s 20km Race Walk in a time of 1:25:02, exceeding his rank and gaining some valuable senior championship experience in tough conditions.

Results Summary:

• Oisin Lane – Men’s 20km Race Walk – Final – 23rd in 1:25.02
• Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles – SF – 12.73=SB Q
• Israel Olatunde – Men’s 100m – Semi Final – 6th in 10.40 (18th overall)
• Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles – Final – 7thin 12.94
• Brian Fay – Men’s 5000m – Final –

Full results can be found HERE.