One more shot at Rio as Irish men’s 4x400 reach Euro final

One more shot at Rio as Irish men’s 4x400 reach Euro final

The Irish quartet of Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers), Craig Lynch (Shercock), David Gillick (DSD) and Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) put in a gutsy performance to qualify for the men’s 4x400m relay final at the European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam.

The team finished fourth in heat 1 with 3:04.42 to qualify as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.

Brian Gregan got the team off to a good start with 46.4 split before passing on to Craig Lynch who clocked 45.9. He handed to David Gillick who put in a battling display with 46.01 diving across the line to pass to Thomas Barr who anchored the team with 46.04.

They were hoping for a time of 3:04.25 or better to get back into the top 16 for the Olympics in Rio but they were pleased with their effort and have one more chance in the final.

“It’s important to remember the rest of the relay members that have gotten us to this point,” said Gregan afterwards mentioning the likes of Brian Murphy, Richard Morrissey who is also on the squad, and Mark English. “I got out hard and gave it everything,” he continued.

Craig Lynch echoed the sentiments: “It was great to be able to run on the team and play my part.”

David Gillick was motivated for more come the final tomorrow. “We’ve gotten to the final and that’s the position we want to be in,” he said. “It’s about the team and all the runners the last couple of years that have put us in this position. Hopefully this quartet can do the business tomorrow and we’re motivated to get out there again tomorrow.”

Equally Thomas Barr was pleased to have another chance at Rio qualification. “We’ve another shot and we’ll get out there and give it our best.” 

The team currently lie in 17th but will need a run of at least 3:04.25 or faster to get into the top 16 Olympic qualifying positions before the cut-off date on Monday (July 11). The Czech Republic who ran a national record of 3:02.66 today will overtake Ireland if they can replicate that performance tomorrow. This would mean the Irish team would require 3:04.05 to overtake Japan and get inside the top 16. 

The Irish women’s 4x400m relay team of Sinead Denny (DSD), Phil Healy (Bandon), Jenna Bromell (Emerald) and Ciara McCallion (Clonliffe Harriers) didn’t qualify for the final but ran a season’s best of 3:34.02 to finish 8th in heat 2.

“It’s good progress for a new team,” said Healy afterwards who split 52.7 seconds for the fastest leg on the team. “Three of the team are making their European debut and it’s all our first time to run as a relay team here. We’ll gain a lot from this experience.”

Sinead Denny got the team started with a 53.5 second split while Jenna Bromell, who is set for the World Junior Athletics Championships in ten days’ time, ran the third leg in 53.82. Ciara McCallion anchored the team with 53.96 seconds.

Barry Pender (St Abban’s) was the other athlete in action in the first session and he finished 10th in group B of high jump qualification with 2.14m.

Later this evening the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay teams, Christine McMahon (Ballymena & Antrim) and Deirdre Byre (Sli Cualann) are in action.

The men’s 4x100m relay team which will be started by double Paralympic gold medallist Jason Smyth (Derry City) are at 18:40. He will be joined by Eanna Madden (Carrick on Shannon), Jonathan Browning (Ballymena & Antrim) and Marcus Lawler (SLOT).  They will be in lane 5 in the first heat.

The women’s 4x100m relay team of Joan Healy, Phil Healy (both Bandon), Sarah Murray (Fingallians) and Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank) take to the track at 19:00 in lane 2 of heat 1.

Christine McMahon is in the semi-final of the 400m Hurdles at 19:20 with Deirdre Byrne in the women’s 5,000m final at 20:05.