Lally just misses out on medal with fantastic fourth

Lally just misses out on medal with fantastic fourth

Alanna Lally (UCD) just missed out on a medal in the women’s 800m final at the European U23 Athletics Championships in Bydgoszcz today (July 15) with a storming finish in fourth in 2:05.63.

Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (DSD) was also in the final and was busy from the off getting into third at the bell and was left disappointed at the end in 7th in 2:06.40. The race was won by Belgium’s Renee Eykens in 2:04.73 who ran a tactically superb race.

“If someone had have told me I’d finish fourth beforehand I would have laughed,” said Lally who still couldn’t hide disappointment having been only one tenth of a second outside bronze. “I’ve come here and deep down I know I’ve done myself good justice but I can’t look past the fact I’m a tenth of a second off a medal. It’s going to sting for a little while but I will be happy.”

It was a tale of so close but yet so far. However, with two Irish women in the 800m final and competitive, it was a positive result.

Lally had struggled in recent years and was full of praise for her coach James Nolan. “I’d a rough few years and James had confidence in me and told me to trust the process. I also want to thank my parents for supporting me.”

Barry Keane (Waterford) had a brave run in a tactical men's 5,000m final finishing 12th in 14:29.07. 

Watch video interviews with Alanna Lally and Barry Keane on the Athletics Ireland Facebook page HERE

Results

Women

800m final

4th Alanna Lally (UCD) 2:05.63

7th Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (DSD) 2:06.40

Long Jump Group B

7th Sarah McCarthy (Mid Sutton) 6.33m Q

Men

4x400m relay semi-final 1

4th Ireland (Craig Newell, Harry Purcell, Karl Griffin, Andrew Mellon) 3:07.63 q

5,000m final

12th Barry Keane (Waterford) 14:29.07