Positive start for the Irish in first session

There was a good start for the Irish team in the first morning session of the European Junior Atheltics Championships. Of the six competitors there was two qualifiers and a personal best – a good opening return.  15-year-old Ciara Neville coped with the nerves of her first major international to finish fourth in her 100m heat in 11.81 to qualify automatically to the semi-finals at 3:30pm this afternoon. The first two in each semi will make tomorrow's final. Gina Akpe-Moses had to settle for a 5th place finish in 12.00 seconds. 

No joy for the throwers

John Kelly (Finn Valley) was up against it in a tough shot put competition with the automatic qualifying mark set at 18.60m. Kelly was unable to find his best form and had no excuses. He had two fouls and one put of 16.98m. In the hammer Fellan McGuigan had a full series of registered throws with a best of 66.67m. He threw 62.96m in the opening round and 64.72m in the second. 

One lap success – Bromell pbs and Gibson qualifies 

Jenna Bromell  (Emerald) had a tall order to make the final with two qualify from each heat  and two fastest losers progressing to the final. Running from lane 2 she produced a storming run and finished 5th in a new personal best of 54.56 seconds. It left her ranked 10th overall. Then it was time for Scott Gibson to round out the action and he battled for the third and final automatic qualifying spot in his heat with a best of 48.41.