HEAT VICTORIES FOR Thomas Barr and Mark English were the highlights for Ireland’s track team on day one of the European Championships in Zurich.
Barr made his 400 metre hurdle heat look remarkably easy this morning, powering out of the blocks in lane two and sustaining his pace throughout the lap to finish well in control with a time of 49.79 seconds.
“I came out to hopefully win it,” said Barr, “so I am happy with that; the early start was a bit of shock to the system. I am confident now after that performance.”
Barr’s semi-final is scheduled for 4.55pm tomorrow afternoon with the final at 19.52 on Friday night.
English’s performance over 800 metres was equally impressive, the Donegal man winning his heat in 1:47.38 and will go again in the semi final tomorrow at 20.08.
The 400 metre flat competitors also made tomorrow’s semi-finals. Brian Gregan finished third in his heat (46.33) to take automatic qualification while Richard Morrissey recorded a personal best time of 46.20 to put himself in the fastest loser spot for the semi-final which goes to gun 17.54 tomorrow.
In the 100 metres, Lisburn’s Amy Foster also advanced in the fastest loser spot after finishing her heat fifth in a time of 11.51 seconds. A result she is evidently determined to improve on for tomorrow’s 17.17 semi-final.
Fionnuala Britton came eighth in the final of the 10,000m in a time of 32.32.5.
“I am not happy to not get the automatic qualification, it was really close. I felt I got a good start and lost it a bit towards the end. I’ll re-focus now for the semi-finals.”
Also in action in heats today were Declan Murray (800m), Jason Harvey (400m hurdles) Phil Healy (100m) and Sarah Lavin (100m hurdles). On this occasion, however, they were unable to advance.
