Mageean just misses Irish record at magic Morton Games
Mageean just misses Irish record at magic Morton Games
Ciara Mageean (UCD) gave herself the perfect send-off ahead of the Olympic Games with a personal best of 2:00.79 at the Morton Games in Santry - just outside the Irish record of 2:00.58.
For results of the meeting click HERE
The 24-year-old finished second in the women’s 800m behind Britain’s Alexandra Bell, who won in 2:00.53, and clocked the third fastest time in history by an Irishwoman, putting her behind only national record holder Rose-Anne Galligan (Newbridge) and Sonia O’Sullivan.
“That’s a huge positive before Rio,” said Mageean. “I’m a bit disappointed with second place and I was hoping to go a little bit faster than 2:00.7, but it’s all there,” she said. “There’s more to come. My disappointment is tinged with knowing I can go a little bit faster.”
Mageean admitted that her sights were set on becoming the first Irishwoman ever to break the illustrious two-minute barrier. “That’s what I want, that’s what it’s all about, she said. “I’ll get there.”
The men’s mile was won by American Johnny Gregorek in 3:55.57 from Kyle Merber (3:55.79) and Alexander Colby (3:55.93). The women’s mile was won by American Katie Mackey in a meeting record of 4:25.48.
There was more good news for Irish Olympic hopes at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in London, where Mark English bounced back to form by clocking 1:45.36 for 800m to finish eighth.
Relay teams star in Poland
Irish athletes broke new ground at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The women’s 4x100m quartet of Molly Scott (SLOT), Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport), Gina Akpe-Moses (Blackrock Louth) and Ciara Neville (Emerald) finished second in their heat in 45.09 to advance to the final at 6:50pm Irish time today (July 23). “I was so nervous out there because it’s a world juniors, but I can’t believe we made the final.” said Scott.
The Irish men’s 4x100m team of Sean Lawlor (Donore Harriers), Cillin Greene (GCH), Eoin Doherty and Joseph Ojewumi (both Tallaght) smashed the national U20 record when finishing fifth in their heat in 40.48, which was not enough to advance. “Our aim was to break to either national record or make the final, but it was a brilliant line-up, so we’re absolutely buzzing with that performance,” said Doherty.
Adam King (Iveragh) broke his own national U20 hammer record by throwing 71.70m in the final, good enough for 11th. Earlier in the day Mawdsley was disqualified after finishing second in her 200m heat in 23.78 for a lane infringement.