Kate O’Connor (Dundalk St Gerard’s AC) sits in third place overall at the halfway stage of the women’s heptathlon following an outstanding opening day at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

O’Connor completed the first four of her seven events on Friday, producing two personal bests and an equal personal best to keep herself firmly in the hunt heading into Saturday’s final three events.

The Irish record holder got her campaign off to the perfect start in the 100m hurdles, clocking a superb personal best of 13.30 to collect 1,080 points. The performance improved on her previous best of 13.44 and provided the platform for an excellent opening day.

O’Connor followed that with a hugely impressive performance in the high jump, matching her personal best of 1.86m to add another 1,054 points to her total. The 25-year-old showed her trademark composure when it mattered most, clearing 1.86m on her third and final attempt.

The afternoon’s shot put saw O’Connor save her best for last, producing a final-round effort of 13.96m having fouled on her second attempt, before completing her opening day with a huge 23.79 PB clocking over 200m.

Those four performances leave O’Connor in third position overall (3926 points) heading into Saturday, when the heptathlon concludes with the long jump, javelin and 800m. The overnight lead is held by Poland’s Adrianna Sulek-Schubert on 3968 points.

Speaking after an excellent opening day, O’Connor said: “I’m happy with that one [the 200m], but in the shot I feel like I let myself down a little. I had a lead on certain people, and I swung the door back open, but it’s really hard to string seven perfect performances together.

“I’ve managed to put together three really strong performances and one that wasn’t quite as strong. I feel fit, I feel healthy and I’m leaving day one feeling positive and in a good position.

“I’ve given myself a fighting chance tomorrow.”

Earlier in the day Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) safely negotiated his opening-round assignment in the men’s 1500m, clocking 3:41.86 to finish fourth in the second heat and secure automatic qualification for the final.

There was heartbreak for Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe Harriers AC), whose chances of progression were ended following an unfortunate tangle of legs with approximately 600 metres remaining in the opening heat.

Doyle managed to regain his feet and complete the race in 4:36.28, finishing 15th. An appeal was subsequently lodged on behalf of the Clonliffe Harriers athlete but was unsuccessful.

Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) battled her way to a 20th-place finish in the women’s 10,000m final this evening, crossing the line in 33:08.60 at her first major track championship.

Niamh Allen (Leevale AC) also lined up in the final but looked in discomfort from the early stages and was ultimately forced to withdraw from the race.

Italy’s Nadia Battocletti continued her outstanding championships by claiming the European 10,000m title in 31:41.17.

Ireland’s men’s 4x400m relay team produced an encouraging performance to clock a season’s best 3:01.76, the third-fastest time ever recorded by an Irish team.

Andrew Egan, Jack Raftery, Joe Doody and Sean Doggett combined to finish sixth in their heat and 10th overall, narrowly missing out on a place in the European final.

Egan opened for Ireland with a 46.4 split before handing over to Raftery, who produced a superb 44.7 second leg. Doody followed with 45.8 before Doggett anchored the team home with an impressive 44.86 split.

Ireland’s women’s 4x400m quartet of Sophie Becker, Jenna Breen, Cliodhna Mannin and Arlene Crossan clocked 3:32.70 to finish eighth in their heat which was not enough to advance.

Day 5 Results Summary (Aug 14^th):

• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon – 100m Hurdles – 13.30 PB (1080 points)

• Men’s 4x400m Relay – Round One – 3:01.76 SB (6^th, did not advance)

• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon – High Jump – 1.86 =PB (1054 points)

• Women’s 4x400m Relay – Round One – 3:32.70 (8^th, did not advance)

• Cathal Doyle – Round One Heat 1 – 4:36.28 (15^th, did not advance)

• Andrew Coscoran – Round One Heat 2 – Heat 2 3:41.86 Q (4^th, advances to final)

• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon – Shot Put – 13.96m (791 points)

• Niamh Allen – Women’s 10,000m – Final – DNF

• Fiona Everard – Women’s 10,000m – Final – 33:08.60 (20^th)

• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon – 200m – 23.79 PB (1001 points)

USEFUL LINKS 

• Full Results HERE
• Media Guide HERE
• Where to Watch HERE
• Birmingham 2026 timetable is HERE

Irish Athlete Schedule:

Day Six – Morning Session – Saturday August 15^th

• David Kenny – Half Marathon Race Walk – Final – 07:30

• Oisin Lane – Half Marathon Race Walk – Final – 07:30

• Oisin Lane – Marathon Race Walk – Final – 07:30

• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon – Long Jump – Group A & Group B – 10:25

• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon – Javelin Throw – Group A & Group B – 11:55

• Sarah Healy – Women’s 1500m – Round One – 12:15

• Sophie O’Sullivan – Women’s 1500m – Round One – 12:15

• Jodie McCann – Women’s 1500m – Round One – 12:15

• Women’s 4x100m Relay – Round One – 12:40

• Men’s 4x100m Relay – Round One – 13:00

Day Six – Evening Session – Saturday August 15^th

• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon – 800m – 19:45

• Jack O’Leary – Men’s 10,000m – Final – 20:25

• Andrew Coscoran – Men’s 1500m – Final – 21:07 *

• Men’s 4x100m Relay – Final – 21:33 *

• Women’s 4x100m Relay – Final – 21:48 *

Day Seven – Morning Session – Sunday August 16^th

• Fionnuala McCormack – Women’s Marathon – Final – 07:30

• Paul O’Donnell – Men’s Marathon – Final – 08:10

• Ryan Creech – Men’s Marathon – Final – 08:10

• David McGlynn – Men’s Marathon – Final – 08:10

Day Seven – Evening Session – Sunday August 16^th

• Sarah Healy – Women’s 1500m – Final – 21:13 *

• Sophie O’Sullivan – Women’s 1500m – Final – 21:13 *

• Jodie McCann – Women’s 1500m – Final – 21:13 *

*Subject to advancing

ENDS