News

Ireland enjoyed a superb opening day at the European Athletics U18 Championships in Banska Bystrica today, with a host of personal best performances seeing several Irish athletes progress through to the next rounds of their respective events.

Ben Sykes (Orangegrove AC) produced lifetime best performances in both the heats and semi-finals of the 100m to book his place in tomorrow’s sprint final. Sykes clocked a 10.71 PB in the earlier heats, before storming to a 10.65 PB to book his place in the final with a first-place finish. The Orangegrove AC athlete will return to the starting blocks tomorrow evening for the medal decider (7.50pm Irish time).

Conor Kelly (Derry Track Club) looked ultra impressive in cruising into the semi-finals of the 400m. Kelly clocked 48.01 to win the third of the 400m heats, easing up approaching the finish which should give him plenty of confidence heading into tomorrow’s semi-finals.

Maria Zakharenko (Kilcoole AC) also booked her place in the women’s 400m, securing an auto Q with 56.34 to finish third in the second of the heats.

Orlaith Mannion (South Galway AC) clocked 13.92 Q to finish 4th in her 100m hurdles heat, safely securing passage to tomorrow’s semi-final.

Tara O’Connor (Dundalk St Gerards) and Siun Quinn (Brothers Pearse) enjoyed an excellent qualifying round in the high jump. O’Connor equalled her PB with a best clearance of 1.79m, while teammate Quinn also posted a 1.79m which was a lifetime best for the Brothers Pearse athlete. Both will return for the final on Saturday.

Enya Silkena (Ratoath AC) produced a superb opening day in the heptathlon, posting personal bests in the high jump (1.63m), 200m (25.50), and a re-run 100m hurdles (14.58). Silenka rounded out her day with a 12.11m best throw in the shot put. The Ratoath athlete, who currently stands in 18th place, will look forward to tomorrow’s schedule with the javelin likely to prove one of her strongest events.

A business like Cian Crampton (Edenderry AC) secured his place in the discus final with his first throw of 58.59m SB flying over the auto qualifying mark.

Caoimhe Gallen (Lifford Strabane) missed out on qualifying for the women’s hammer by one agonising place but can be content with her 58.83m as she gains valuable championship experience. Long jumper, Michael Kent (DMP AC), posted a best leap of 6.90m to finish 15th overall.

The 1500m athletes faced a tough task in the hot conditions. Jennifer O’Leary (Nenagh Olympic) and Emily Bolton (Donore Harriers) bowed out in the heats of the 1500m, both battling bravely but ultimately finishing 26th and 27th overall.

Caolan McFadden (Cranford AC) clocked 4:03.97 in the final of the men’s 1500m heats to finish 19th overall, while Shea O’Donnell (ACE AC) clocked 4:11.07 to finish 34th overall.

Schedule & Live Results can be found HERE

Live Stream via Eurovision Sport is available HERE (Registration required)

Team Ireland Day 1 Results Summary

• Heptathlon Hurdles Enya Silkena 14.58 PB
• Heptathlon High Jump Enya Silkena 1.63m PB
• Heptathlon Shot Put Enya Silkena 12.11m
• Heptathlon 200m Enya Silkena 25.50 PB
• Long Jump Michael Kent 6.90m (15th overall)
• Hammer Qualifying Caoimhe Gallen 58.83m (13th overall)
• 400 Heats Conor Kelly 48.01 Q (1st in heat)
• 400m Heats Maria Zakharenko 56.34Q (3rd in heat)
• 100m Heats Ben Sykes 10.71 PB Q (1st in heat)
• 100m Semi Final Ben Sykes 10.65 PB Q (1st in semi final)
• Discus Cian Crampton 58.59m SB Q (3rd in qualifying)
• High Jump Tara O’Connor 1.79m =PB Q (4th in qualifying)
• High Jump Siun Quinn 1.79m PB q (7th in qualifying)
• 100m Hurdles Heats Orlaith Mannion 13.92 Q (4th in heat)
• 1500m Heats Jennifer O’Leary 4:38.93 (26th overall)
• 1500m Heats Emily Bolton 4:40.63 (27th overall)
• 1500m Heats Caolan McFadden 4:03.97 (19th overall)
• 1500m Heats Shea O’Donnell 4:11.07 (34th overall)