David Gillick (Dundrum South Dublin AC) has easily qualified into the Men’s 400m semi-final at the World Indoor Championships in Doha. The semi-final will take place at 16:30 (Irish Time) this evening. Gillick went out hard from the start to dominate the second heat, winning in 46.72 seconds. This was the second fastest time overall with Jamaal Torrance of the USA fastest in 46.70. He was happy with his run and plans to ‘leg it’ in the semi final where he has been drawn in lane 5, one lane inside American Bershawn Jackson in lane 6.

“You know from the start in a championships like this that it’s always going to be a tough one because of the early morning start…so it’s always great to get the first round out of the way. Because the indoor 400 is all about lanes, it is important to win your heat so you get a better lane draw in the next round so I think I have done that quite well. I just wanted to get out there and get through the bell in the top 2 and then control the race and I think I did that.” he said, and added;

“We came around the final bend and a pole vault had been dropped and was sticking out into lane 1 and 2 so that’s why I went wide. That caught me off - everyone had to move out a bit - Then I eased up a little but I put in a little bit of a dip to make sure I got it (the win).”

Brian Gregan of Clonliffe Harriers finished third in his heat in 47.26 but unfortunately it was no good enough to see him through to the semi-final. The 2009 Irish champion was ranked 15 out of 28 starters in the 400 metre event, with 12 progressing to the semi-finals. Gregan said” I knew when I looked at the clock that I had an idea that I might hang on to the last qualifying spot or I would be gone. It’s pretty annoying that there are only 2 semi-finals. It was pretty difficult to make it but I did what I could do. I have to look at the race again to see exactly what happened.

He added: ” I came here so I could put myself out there (in senior major competition for the first time). Hopefully people will take notice and I will start climbing those world rankings. Now I am going to focus on the relay and hope that will go well.”

Irish High Jump Record Holder, Deirdre Ryan (DSD AC) was also in action this morning. Ryan jumped 1.85m on her second attempt but failed at 1.89m and will not progress to the final.

In the Men’s 800m David McCarthy finished fourth in his heat in 1.51.88 minutes. The heat was won by Kevin Hautcoeur of France in 1.50.61 after what was a particularly slow heat with all competitors bunched together with a lap to go. McCarthy could not find that extra gear and the top three pulled away down the final straight. McCarthy’s time will not see him through as a fastest qualifier.

Deirdre Byrne (Sli Chualann AC) and Hazel Murphy (DSD) will compete in the women’s 3000m heats at 11:00 Irish time. Kelly McNiece (City of Lisburn AC) and Rose Anne Galligan (Newbridge AC) will compete in the women’s 1500m heats in the afternoon session at 13:30 Irish Time. While Clare Brady will line up in the Women’s 60m heats at 15:25 Irish Time.