News

Thomas Williams (Shercock AC), Conor Kelly (Derry Track Club), and Joe Burke (Templemore AC) have won Ireland’s second, third, and fourth medals of the week at the European Athletics U18 Championships in Banska Bystrica this evening.

Williams, who came into the championships with the pressure of being one of the likely contenders in the men’s hammer competition, showed experience beyond his years to throw a huge 73.95m best to claim Ireland’s second throws medal of the week following Cian Crampton’s bronze in yesterday’s discus final.

The silver and bronze medals went to Dimo Andreev (BUL) 72.49 and Magno Llopis (ESP) 72.48.

Conor Kelly (Derry Track Club) picked up Ireland’s second medal of the day, storming to a brilliant bronze in the 400m in an Irish U18 record time of 46.97 NU18R.

Speaking after his race, Kelly said, “I’m gutted, I came out here for gold but it didn’t happen today. It’s nice to go sub-47, but I’ve been looking at that gold all winter. It’s a great result to get a European medal but the plan was to get a little bit more.”

The gold and silver went to Stanisław Strzelecki (POL) 46.50 and Milann Klemenic (FRA) 46.78.

Joe Burke (Templemore AC) secured a brilliant bronze medal from lane eight in the men’s 200m final, having booked his place in the medal decider thanks to a brilliant 21.43 from lane eight in the earlier semi-finals. The Templemore AC athlete crossed in a time of 21.31 to break the Irish U18 200m record.

The gold and silver went to Diego Nappi (ITA) 20.81CR and Ivano Bevanda (SWE) 21.17.

There was also success in the jumps with Ireland finishing with TWO athletes inside the top ten placings. Tara O’Connor (Dundalk St Gerards) signed off her appearance in the final with a best clearance of 1.78m for joint sixth, while Siún Quinn (Brothers Pearse AC) finished joint ninth thanks her best clearance of 1.74m.

Saoirse Fitzgerald (Lucan Harriers) and Pia Langton (Kilkenny City Harriers) booked their places in tomorrow’s 800m final in impressive fashion, while fellow 800m runner Bobby More (Bray Runners) was not to be outdone as he too booked his place in the men’s 800m final with a personal best performance of 1:51.92PB.

The medley relay team of Elena O’Sullivan, Katie Doherty, Erin Friel, and Maria Zakharenko were unlucky not to progress from their heat but did walk away with a new Irish U18 record of 2:11.24 NU18R.

Molly Daly was seventh in the semi-final of the 200m in 24.81, while Clodagh Gill (Moy Valley AC) battled the hot conditions to finish 15th in the 3,000m final in 10:00.83.

Ethan Dewhirst left it all out on the track to finish fourth in the first of the 400m hurdles semi-finals (52.70), while teammate Stuart Tobin also bowed out of the 400m hurdles competition at the semi-final stage with 56.58.

Decathlete Eoin O’Callaghan (Bandon AC) enjoyed a superb opening day, setting personal bests in the 100m (11.74), long jump (6.66m), shot put (13.83), and 400m (50.23) on his way to placing 17th after the first day of events.

Schedule & Live Results can be found HERE

Team Ireland Day 3 Results Summary

• Decathlon 100m Eoin O’Callaghan 11.74 PB
• 3,000m Final Clodagh Gill 10:00.83 (15th overall)
• Decathlon Long Jump Eoin O’Callaghan 6.66 PB
• Medley Relay 2:11.24 NU18R (5th in heat)
• Decathlon Shot Put Eoin O’Callaghan 13.83 PB
• 400m Hurdles Semi Final Ethan Dewhirst 52.70 (4th in heat)
• 400m Hurdles Semi Final Stuart Tobin 56.58 (7th in heat)
• Javelin Qualifying Enya Silkena 46.07 (15th overall)
• Decathlon High Jump Eoin O’Callaghan 1.84m
• Hammer Final Thomas Williams 73.95m (GOLD)
• 800m Semi Final Saoirse Fitzgerald 2:08.32 Q (2nd in SF)
• 800m Semi Final Pia Langton 2:07.90 PB q (3rd in SF)
• 800m Semi Final Bobby More 1:51.92 PB q (3rd in SF)
• 200m Semi Final Moly Daly 24.81 (7th in SF)
• 200m Semi Final Joe Burke 21.43 Q (2nd in SF)
• High Jump Final Tara O’Connor 1.78 (= 6th overall)
• High Jump Final Siun Quinn 1.74m (= 9th overall)
• 400m Final Conor Kelly 46.97 NU18R (BRONZE)
• Decathlon High Jump Eoin O’Callaghan 50.23
• 200m Final Joe Burke 21.31 NU18R (BRONZE)