News

It was another hugely positive morning for Team Ireland on the opening session of Day 3 at the European Athletics Championships in Rome with Thomas Barr (400mH), Mark Smyth (200m), and Nicola Tuthill (Hammer) all advancing from their respective qualifying rounds.

Barr, who was fresh from collecting his European relay gold at the stadium yesterday, finished 1st in heat 1 of the 400m hurdles, powering through the final 50 meters to cross in a season’s best time of 49.31 SB. He showed no ill effects from his exertions on Friday night and will head to Monday’s semi-final full of confidence.

Fellow 400m hurdles athlete, Kelly McGrory, bowed out in the first round of her respective heat, producing a lifetime best of 57.10PB which was just shy of making it through to the next round.

Mark Smyth produced a superb performance in the men’s 200m, clocking a season’s best time of 20.93 to book his place in this evening’s semi-final as the final qualifier (8.35pm).

20-year-old Tuthill claimed her place in tomorrow’s Hammer Final (8.33pm) with a superb round of throws to finish comfortably inside the top 12 qualifying places in 7th. Tuthill’s best throw of the day came in her final attempt with a huge 69.85 guaranteeing her a top 12 finish at her first senior European Championships.

The half marathon athletes opened proceedings this morning with solid performances from Shona Heaslip (34th) & Emily Haggard-Kearney (64th) in the Women’s Half Marathon, while Hiko Tonosa completed his half marathon in 1:05:42 to finish 43rd in the men’s race.

Results Summary:

• Hiko Tonosa – Men’s Half M – Final –  43rd in 1:05.42
• Shona Heaslip – Women’s Half M – 34th Shona Heaslip 1:12:19 SB
• Emily Haggard Kearney – Women’s Half M – 64th Emily Haggard-Kearney 1:17:04 SB
• Nicola Tuthill – Women’s Hammer Throw – 7th in qualifying with 69.85Q
• Mark Smyth – Men’s 200m – 4th in heat 20.93 SB q
• Kelly McGrory – Women’s 400m Hurdles – 7th in heat 57.10 PB
• Thomas Barr – Men’s 400m Hurdles – 1st in heat 49.31 SB Q

Full results list can be found HERE.

Mageena and Healy Ready for 1500M Showdown:

The evening session will see the women’s 400m trio of Rhasidat Adeleke, Sharlene Mawdsley, and Sophie Becker go in search of a place in Monday’s medal decider from 7.05pm.

Christoper O’Donnel will also be in 400m semi-final action when he takes to the track for the third time this week (7.38pm), while Raheny’s Mark Smyth will make his second appearance of the day in the 200m semi-final (8.35pm).

All eyes will then turn to the women’s 1500m final with Ciara Mageean and Sarah Healy going in search of European glory from 9.36pm.

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

Evening Session

• Rhasidat Adeleke – Women’s 400m – SF – 19:05 (20:05)
• Sharlene Mawdsley – Women’s 400m – SF – 19:05 (20:05)
• Sophie Becker – Women’s 400m – SF – 19:05 (20:05)
• Christopher O’Donnell – Men’s 400m – SF – 19:38 (20:38)
• Mark Smyth – Men’s 200m – SF – 20:35 (21:35)
• Ciara Mageean – Women’s 1500m – Final – 21:36 (22:36)
• Sarah Healy – Women’s 1500m – Final – 21:36 (22:36)