News

Thomas Barr has bowed out of his individual event at the European Championships in Rome the morning, finishing 3rd in the semi-final of the 400m hurdles in a time of 49.61.

With only two automatic qualifying places available from each of the three semi-finals, Barr endured a nervous wait to see if his time would be enough to secure one of the non-automatic qualifier places. Unfortunately, it was not enough on this occasion with the recently crowned European relay champion finishing in 16th place overall.

Barr is part of the men’s 4x400m relay team who are set to take to the track tomorrow morning for their opening round, with his recovery from a busy few days of championship racing likely to dictate selection (relay team selection to follow tomorrow morning).

Andrew Coscoran safely secured his place in Wednesday’s 1500m final with a confident display that saw him run into one of the six automatic qualification places in the second of the heats. Coscoran crossed in 5th in a time of 3:38.52 Q.

Nick Griggs was also in action in the 1500m, crossing the finish in 14th place (3:46.66) in his heat which was not enough to progress on this occasion. The Tyrone teenager will take much from the experience of competing at his second major championships, having also competed at the World Championships in Budapest last August.

Phil Healy was first out on track for Ireland this morning, just missing out on progressing to the semi-final of the women’s 200m by three places, finishing 5th in her heat in a time of 23.51. Healy’s attention will know swiftly turn to the women’s 4x400m relay team who are set to take to the track tomorrow morning.

Louise Shanahan went in a stacked women’s 800m and was unfortunately unable to replicate her heroics from 2022 which saw her reach the European 800m final. Shanahan crossed in 6th place in her heat in 2:04.81 and will now look to focus on qualification for her second Olympic Games.

Results Summary:

• Phil Healy – Women’s 200m – Round One – 5th in heat in 23.51
• Andrew Coscoran – Men’s 1500m – Round One – 5th in heat 3:38.52 Q
• Nick Griggs – Men’s 1500m – Round One – 14th in heat in 3:46.66
• Louise Shanahan – Women’s 800m – Round One – 6th in heat in 2:04.81
• Thomas Barr – Men’s 400m Hurdles – SF – 3rd in semi-final in 49.61

Full results list can be found HERE.