Sean Cronin (1500m) and the Irish women’s 4x100m relay team both finished eighth in their respective finals on the closing day of action at the European Athletics U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland.
Racing in a stacked 1500m final Clonliffe Harriers clubman Cronin dug deep down the home straight to cross the line in 3:50.80, in what had been a tactical affair. The 2022 European Youth Olympic medallist was thrilled with his performance.
“I’m really proud of how I ran that race. I think I got as much out of it as I could have,” he told Athletics Ireland. “I’m delighted with the progression I’ve made this season, I think I’ve really stepped up. I’ve not just trained harder; I’ve trained smarter and done all the little things right in between.”
An hour earlier the Women’s 4x100m relay team of Fatima Amusan (Leevale AC), Molly Daly (Kilkenny City Harriers), Leila Colfer (St Laurence O’Toole AC) and Precious Akpe-Moses (Blackrock AC) delivered a commendable performance, clocking a time of 45.17 seconds, faster than their heat time.
“Yesterday was a bit dodgy but today we got the baton around which is really important,” Daly said. “We all did our best, even to get to the final is amazing.”
Akpe-Moses who was racing at these championships for the eighth time, having made the finals of both the 100m and 200m, reflected on her performance and that of the team with pride.
“It’s been a long championship,” she said. “We made it to the final, did what we could do, and we’re satisfied.”
After a long two days of competition, Enya Silkena (Ratoath AC) finished 17th in the Women’s Heptathlon with 4693 points. Silkena was in action in the Long Jump (5.63m), Javelin Throw (39.48m) and 800m (2:30.19) today.
Seamus Clarke (Moy Valley AC) was unable to finish the final of the Men’s 10,000m Race Walk due to injury.
Before the morning session got underway, Conor Kelly (Finn Valley AC) received his Men’s 400m gold medal. The 18-year-old who stormed to victory yesterday in the final of his event, clocking a national U20 record of 45.83 seconds, couldn’t contain his delight when speaking to Athletics Ireland.
“It’s so different from last night. I knew I’d won but it kind of just felt like another race, now it’s special,” he said. “I couldn’t stop smiling, it was incredible. I was probably up a little later than I should’ve been. I woke up a little late, not much sleep…This is the last week before I go to Texas (for college) so I better get a good goodbye in.”
Kelly will fly directly back to London (where he is based) tomorrow.
Results Summary – Day Four – European Athletics U20 Championships
Morning Session
- Enya Silkena (Ratoath AC) – Women’s Heptathlon – Long Jump (5.63m, 738 pts)
- Seamus Clarke (Moy Valley AC) – Men’s 10,000m Race Walk – DNF, Final
- Enya Silkena (Ratoath AC) – Women’s Heptathlon – Javelin Throw (39.48m, 657 pts)
Evening Session
- Women’s 4x100m Relay – Fatima Amusan (Leevale AC), Molly Daly (Kilkenny City Harriers), Leila Colfer (St. Laurence O’Toole AC) and Precious Akpe-Moses (Blackrock AC) – 8th, Final (45.17)
- Sean Cronin (Clonliffe Harriers) – Men’s 1500m – 8th, Final (3:50.80)
- Enya Silkena (Ratoath AC) – Women’s Heptathlon – 800m (2:30.19, 690 pts)
- Enya Silena (Ratoath AC) – Women’s Heptathlon – 4693 pts (17th)
- Full Results are HERE
Photos: Eric Bellamy
