Emma Hickey (United Striders AC) won a stunning silver medal in the Women’s 1500m during the third evening session of the European Athletics U18 Championships in Rieti, Italy.

Competing in what was a straight final the 17-year-old was always in contention, holding the inside curve for much of the race before eventually managing to move out at the perfect time.

With 150m to go Hickey was locked in a medal battle with Celeste Lardon of France and Mila Klein of Germany but pulled clear of those two athletes in the final 80 metres to seal her podium spot. It is the Wexford woman’s second major medal having won bronze in the U20 Women’s race at last years European Cross Country Championships.

Her time of 4:24.90 is her third fastest ever, particularly impressive given the tactical nature of the race.

“I’m just delighted, it’s hard to put into words,” she told Athletics Ireland afterwards. “I’m proud of myself, it’s so good to finally prove to myself that I’m actually able to perform on the track…I’m really surprised, I wasn’t expecting it.

“I was overwhelmed when I crossed the line, I haven’t really processed this yet. This means a lot to me and my family; it’ll be great to reflect on it.”

Tara Laverty (Carrick Aces AC) was also in final action, the Monaghan teenager finished an agonising fourth in the Women’s Discus Throw despite bettering her own Irish U18 and U20 record for the event to 50.23 metres.

In the semi-finals of the Women’s 400m Hurdles Elle-Kate McRae (Midleton AC) broke both her own Irish U18 record as well as the Irish U20 record for the event by winning her race in 58.62 seconds. The time took nearly half a second off her previous best which had only been set on Friday morning. McRae qualifies to the final with the fourth fastest time.

“I was not expecting that,” McRae said. “I was going into that race to finish in the top two spots and get safely into the final, I felt good. I wasn’t really thinking of the time, I just wanted to execute my race again…I’m so excited for tomorrow. A European final is what you dream of, I can’t wait.”

Team captain Daniel Downey (Portlaoise AC) and Arron Whelan (Dunboyne AC) raced in semi-finals of the Men’s 400m Hurdles with both unfortunately missing out on final spots. Downey however did record a new 0.70 personal best of 52.60 to finish third, while Whelan was seventh in the third semi-final in 54.12.

Earlier today Lucie Cawley won silver in the Women’s 2000m Steeplechase setting a new Irish U18 record of 6:36.22. This morning’s report is HERE.

Tomorrow morning sees three Irish athletes in finals. Leah O’Gara (Finn Valley AC) will be first up in the 5000m Race Walk before Ava Colreavy (Sligo AC) and Freya Renton (Westport AC) take to the track for the final of the 3000m. The medley relay teams will then look to advance to finals in the final evening session when they compete in the heats.

Elle-Kate McRae, Charlie O’Neill (1500m, Donore Harriers) and Isabelle Gaffney (800m, West Waterford AC) will be in track finals in the final session of the European Athletics U18 Championships.

Team Ireland Results Summary

Day Three – Evening Session – Saturday July 18^th

• Daniel Downey – Men’s 400m Hurdles – SF 1/3 – 52.60 PB (3^rd, does not advance)
• Arron Whelan – Men’s 400m Hurdles – SF 3/3 – 54.12 (7^th, does not advance)
• Elle-Kate McRae – Women’s 400m Hurdles – SF 3/3 – 58.62 Q NU18R & NU20R (1^st)
• Emma Hickey – Women’s 1500m – Final – 4:24.90 (silver)
• Tara Laverty – Women’s Discus Throw – Final – 50.23m NU18R & NU20R (4^th)

Team Ireland Schedule: Irish Time (Local time in brackets)

Day Four – Morning Session – Sunday July 19th

• Leah O’Gara – Women’s 5000m Race Walk – Final – 08:00 (09:00)
• Ava Colreavy – Women’s 3000m – Final – 09:05 (10:05)
• Freya Renton – Women’s 3000m – Final – 09:05 (10:05)
• Women’s Medley Relay – Round One – Heat 2/3 – 09:37 (10:37)
• Men’s Medley Relay – Round One – Heat 2/3 – 10:27 (11:27)

Day Four – Evening Session – Sunday July 19^th

• Elle-Kate McRae – Women’s 400m Hurdles – Final – 16:45 (17:45)
• Charlie O’Neill – Men’s 1500m – Final – 17:00 (18:00)
• Isabelle Gaffney – Women’s 800m – Final – 17:45 (18:45)
• Women’s Medley Relay – Final – 18:00 (19:00) *
• Men’s Medley Relay – Final – 18:15 (19:15) *

*Subject to advancing

Local times in brackets

Where to watch

All four days of the European Athletics U18 Championships in Rieti are live on Eurovision Sport HERE. Registration is required.

• Results are HERE
• Interviews and updates available on Athletics Ireland social media channels
• Records subject to ratification