Ellis McHugh (Ferrybank AC) and Joe Burke (Templemore AC) won two bronze medals within 30 minutes of each other this morning at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje.
Competing in the Girls’ 400m hurdles, McHugh cruised up the final straight in third place in this morning’s final, with a time of 59.25. Half an hour later, Burke set a personal best time of 21.22, a new Irish U18 record (subject to ratification), to win bronze in the Boys’ 200m.
Reacting to her medal, McHugh described her race, saying,
“I actually think I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be initially coming out. I was thinking of everybody that ran before. I’m glad I even got here. It’s a bonus to be in the final, so I thought just don’t be nervous. Go out, do what I can. And I did that. I tried to do that anyway.
“I tried to get out hard, knowing that I was in lane seven. I couldn’t see a lot of people behind me, but I knew at least I had one girl to chase outside me, which I prefer. And then I just tried to stay relaxed, running down the back straight, and kind of wind up for the second bend, hopefully, and then kick at the end of what I had left, which I tried to do.
“Then coming off the second bend, you can kind of tell where you’re coming a little bit more and I could tell I was somewhere up there. So I just kept telling myself, run, run, run. I was actually saying that in my head. I was like, just keep moving, keep going, keep going. Then yeah, I got across the line, heard all the Irish parents cheering, so I wasn’t sure if I came third or fourth, so I just hoped. Then when I heard them all shouting that it was third and then they announced it and I was delighted.
“I went out in my heat and I had a different kind of stride patterning, I’m assuming because of the adrenaline and the heat. It worked, but it worked out fine. So I was happy enough. So I kind of just hoped I could execute that again today, which I did. So it was fine. But it is completely about finding stride patterns in between the hurdles. It’s not like sprinting whatever works. It’s like getting the right hurdle, knowing when you’re going to hit it. But yeah, thankfully worked out.”
It was a long wait for McHugh before hearing the result, and for the hurdler who is relatively new to this race, having only run a handful ever, the future is bright. Given today’s result the fact that she is coached by Bríd Golden (Athletics Ireland President), who previously coached Ferrybank AC’s best known athlete, Thomas Barr, the future is bright,
“Obviously having someone from my club who’s done it all really. It’s such an inspiration to see that he could come from my club and do what he does and just 400 hurdles as well. Having a coach (like Bríd) that works with me, whether I’m having a good or bad day, she knows and she help me throughout. She’s really supportive through everything. All the coaches are.”
Tipperary sprinter Joe Burke is no stranger to the podium, having won a bronze medal at last year’s European U18 Championships in this event, in a similar race. Reacting to his medal winning race, he said,
“Yeah, I don’t know what to say. It’s the same situation as last year. Blanket finish across the line. Waiting I waiting. And then just hearing your name for third is just surreal. It’s a feeling you can’t explain or describe to anyone. It means so much to you as a person that you just can’t express.”
Describing the long wait before realising he secured the medal, Burke said,
“It was painful. You’re just there waiting, knowing you’re there with a chance and just waiting for it to come. But then when it does come and the word is out it, you did get heard. It’s just a relief. All the hard work you’ve put in since back in September finally paid off.
“From what I remember of the race start was good. Maybe a small bit unsteady at the end of the bend, but I felt it came off and came down the straight very well. Adrenaline has a lot to do with that home straight. The legs, you don’t feel the legs tying up because it’s just such a drive and you’re so determined to go. Just go, go, go, go. Don’t ease up. Just stay pushing because the second you ease up, someone’s going to take your place.”
Starting in lane number eight, Burke explained that this is a lucky number for him,
“My grand aunt Marian passed last year, the week before I flew to the Europeans and it was just happened that her house number was eight. Last year in the European final I had lane eight. So, there’s just something about the number eight that likes our family.”
Coached by Cillian Griffin, Burke describes the important role of his coach and family,
“Look, half this medal is his (Cillian). It’s the same for my father, my mother, half the medal is theirs, because without them, without Cillian, my parents, none of this be possible. I owe it all to them. Cillian putting in the hours with me, doing up all my plans, my different blocks, my gym, and then dad driving around the country, mom giving me the food I wouldn’t be able to do without.”
