Paul Robinson (St. Cocoa’s AC) missed out on a place in the 1500m men’s final on day four of the European Track and field Championships in Helsinki. Robinson finished ninth in a time of 3.47.26, the time left him just over a second outside of making the final.
Robinson said “I am disappointed; I didn’t come over here to make up the numbers. I lost my position with two laps to go and unfortunately that cost me. When the pace started to wind up I wasn’t able to get back to them. I have certainly learned a lot from this experience.”
Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn AC) and Orla Drumm (Doneen AC) were both disappointed not to make the women’s 1500m final. Mageean finished 12th in the first semi final in a time of 4.19.23, while Drumm suffered the same fate also finishing 12th in her semi-final.
Mageean was with the main pack until the bell; however when the leaders started to kick for home, Mageean had no response and faded on the last lap. This will come as a great disappointment for the highly talented Mageean, as she has struggled to replicate the form which saw her run a personal best of 4.07.45 last year.
Orla Drumm ran a smart race, maintaining her position in the middle of the pack. However when the kick started with just over a lap to go, Drumm unfortunately could not respond and finished out of the qualifying positions in a time of 4.19.61
Drumm said “I am disappointed with that, when the girls picked up the pace I just didn’t have the legs to go with them. It really shows me that I need to work on my 400m speed in order to compete. At the start of the season the aim was to make these championships, but being here I wanted to make the final. I will race again in Sweden next week to try for the Olympic A standard”
Ben Reynolds (North Down AC) was due to compete in the men’s 110m hurdles heats. However Reynolds had to withdraw from the race due to a pelvis injury. The withdrawal was pre-cautionary and Reynolds hopes to be back competing in the near future.
Later this evening, Stephanie Reilly (Sli Chulainn AC) runs in the 3000 metres steeplechase final, Mark Kenneally (Clonliffe Harriers AC) and David Rooney (Raheny Shamrock AC) both compete in the 10,000m final, and Paul Hession (Athenry AC) competes in the 200m final.
Irelands 4×400m men’s and women’s relay teams will also be hoping to book their places in tomorrow’s finals. The women’s team will look to improve their chances of qualifying for the London Olympics. They are currently ranked 12th based on their combined, two best performances. If they can improve on their second best time of 3.30.61, this will further cement their position for London.
