Conor Kelly (Finn Valley AC) delivered a sensational performance to claim gold in the 400m at the European U20 Championships in Finland this evening, clocking a blistering 45.83 to set a new National U20 Record (Aug 9^th).

The Finn Valley sprinter, who only turned 18 last month, dominated the final right from the gun, securing Ireland’s sixth gold medal in the last three editions of these European U20 championships, following on from the gold-medal-winning successes of Nick Griggs (3000m, 2021), Cian McPhillips (1500m, 2021), Rhasidat Adeleke (100m/200m, 2021), and Elizabeth Ndudi (Long Jump, 2023).

Speaking after the race, the newly crowned European champion said: “This is a dream come true, it’s really special. The lactic acid has really sunk in now, it was a tough race”.

Kelly spoke about using last year’s bronze at the European U18 Championships as motivation for today’s gold medal performance: “Last season hurt, this season had to be special. That bronze was like a dagger and it’s been sitting there all season, but I’ve finally pulled it out. I’ve dreamt about this every minute of every day since then”.

Athenry’s Sean Doggett also impressed in the 400m final, finishing seventh in 47.16 to cement his place as one of Ireland’s most exciting sprinters. The silver and bronze medals went to Milann Klemenic of France (46.44) and Ondrej Loupal of the Czech Republic (46.62), respectively.

A fiercely contested men’s 3000m final saw Tallaght’s Cormac Dixon deliver a courageous performance to finish ninth overall. The race turned into a tactical battle, culminating in a blistering sprint over the final 400m. Dixon stayed right in the mix throughout, crossing the line in 8:48.27. The medals were claimed by Håkon Moe Berg of Norway (8:43.20), Kristers Kudlis of Latvia (8:45.56), and Karl Ottfalk of Sweden (8:46.43).

Precious Akpe-Moses (Blackrock AC, Louth) backed up her performances in the 100m to finish an agonising fourth in the 200m final having set a personal best in this morning’s semi-final (23.60 Q). The Blackrock AC athlete clocked a 23.72 in the final to round out a stunning individual championship which saw her progress to both sprint-finals. Akpe-Moses later helped the women’s 4x100m relay team secure a place in tomorrow’s relay sprint final.

The women’s 100m medals went the way of Germany’s Judith Bilepo Mokobe in 23.40, with Lucy Tallon (GBR) and Terezie Táborská (CZE) completing the podium in 23.49.

Staying with the sprints, 17-year old Dubem Amah ran a massive PB of 21.30 in his 200m semi-final before going on to finish seventh in the final in 21.76. The Tallaght AC sprinter initially missed out on a place in the final by just 0.01 but subsequently was awarded a place in the final on the back of an injury withdrawal. Amah will take much confidence from his individual performance across the weekend, proving his credentials as a championship performer having come into the weekend ranked 30^th.

Edenderry’s Cian Crampton ensured the Irish throws revival continued, securing sixth place in a stacked men’s discus competition. The 2024 European U18 bronze medallist saved his best for last with the final throw of his competition measuring in at 57.76m. Netherlands’ Jarno van Daalen claimed gold with 63.18m, edging out Poland’s Jakub Rodziak (62.90m) and Hungary’s Zsombor Dobó (62.26m) in a thrilling final.

It was a busy morning on track for the 400m relay teams. Maria Zakharenko, Daisy Walker, Roisín Murray, and Erin Friel finished sixth in their 4x400m women’s relay heat with a time of 3:39.34, missing out on qualification for tomorrow’s final.

The team of Alex Cullen, Andrew Hayes, Ethan Dewhirst, and David Davitt went in the first round of the men’s 4x400m shortly after, clocking 3:12.28 for 4th place in the first heat which was not enough to progress on this occasion.

The aforementioned women’s 4x100m team of Fatima Amusan, Molly Daly, Leila Colfer, and Precious Akpe -Moses secured Ireland’s place in yet another sprint final late in the afternoon, finishing second in the first heat in 45.27 Q. They will return for the final on Sunday which is set for 3.50pm Irish time. The men’s 4x100m were unfortunate not to get the baton around in their heat but a team stacked with sprinting talent are sure to be back in the green soon.

Ireland had two athletes competing in this afternoon’s 3000m steeplechase final with Dearbhla Allen (11^th) 10:36.03 and Caoimhe Flannery (13^th) 10:43.73 running huge races as they rounded out their respective championships.

Enya Silkena (Ratoath AC) bounced back from a nasty fall in this morning’s 100m hurdles to leap to a best of 1.62m in the high jump. The Ratoath athlete followed up with a shot put throw of 10.90m (598) in the evening session, before going on to clock 25.33 over 200m (857) to sign off her opening day of competition.

Results Summary – Day Three – European Athletics U20 Championships

Saturday Aug 9th

• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – 100m Hurdles – 18.86 (403 points)
• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – High Jump – 1.62m (1162 points)
• Women’s 4x400m Relay – Round One – 6^th, Heat 1 (3:39.34 SB)
• Men’s 4x400m Relay – Round One – 4^th, Heat 1 (3:12.28)
• Dubem Amah – Men’s 200m – 4^th, SF 2 (21.30 PB q)
• Precious Akpe-Moses – Women’s 200m – 1^st, SF 3 (23.60 Q)
• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – Shot Put – 10.90m (589 points)

• Cian Crampton – Men’s Discus Throw – Final –
• Precious Akpe-Moses – Women’s 200m – Final – 4^th (23.72)
• Dubem Amah – Men’s 200m – Final – 7^th (21.76)
• Dearbhla Allen – Women’s 3000m Steeplechase – Final – 11^th (10:36.03)
• Caoimhe Flannery – Women’s 3000m Steeplechase – Final – 13^th (10:43.73)
• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – 200m – 25.33 (857 points)
• Women’s 4x100m Relay – Round One, 2^nd, Heat 2 – 45.27Q
• Men’s 4x100m Relay – Round One – Heat 2 – DNF
• Cormac Dixon – Men’s 3000m – Final – 9^th (8:48.27)
• Conor Kelly – Men’s 400m – Final – GOLD (45.83 NU23R)
• Sean Doggett – Men’s 400m – Final – 7^th (47.16)

Irish in Action – Day Four – European Athletics U20 Championships

Morning Session – Sunday August 10^th 

• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – Long Jump – 08:00 (10:00)
• Seamus Clarke – Men’s 10,000m Race Walk – Final – 08:25 (10:25)
• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – Javelin Throw Group A – 09:20 (11:20)

Evening Session – Sunday August 10^th

• Women’s 4x100m Relay – Final – 15:50 (17:50)
• Sean Cronin – Men’s 1500m – Final – 16:45 (18:45)
• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – 800m – 17:40 (19:40)

Full Results are HERE