DAY 5: SILVER FOR MAGEEAN ON MAGIC NIGHT IN MUNICH
Ciara Mageean has secured a silver medal in the final of the 1500m at the European Athletics Championships in Munich this evening (Aug 19th).
The City of Lisburn AC athlete produced the greatest performance of her career to claim the silver medal in a time of 4.02.56 which was her fastest 1500m this season.
Tonight’s silver medal adds to the bronze medals Mageean picked up at these championships back in 2016, and the European indoors bronze medal in 2019. It also completes a remarkable month for the Portaferry athlete which also saw her claim a brilliant silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.
There was a quiet confidence exuding from Mageean all this week, and her silver medal winning performance matched that confidence, with the two-time Olympian executing a superbly judged race which saw her as the only challenger to eventual winner Laura Muir (GBR).
Although the nature performance would suggest Mageean had gold on her mind, which is testament to the season she’s had, the silver medal marks one of the major highlights of her already illustrious career.
The remaining medals went the way of Laura Muir (Gold 4:01.08 GBR) and Sofia Ennaoui (Bronze 4:03.59 POL).
Mark English secured his place in Sunday’s 800m final with another tactically astute performance in his semi-final. The Finn valley AC athlete finished in a comfortable 3rd place, securing an automatic qualifying spot in 1.46.66. He is set to return to the track for the final on Sunday at 6.40pm and will fear no one given his current form.
DAY 6: A TRIPLE THREAT OF FINALS AWAIT ON DAY 6
This evening’s performances completed a day that will live long in the memory of Irish athletics fans, adding to earlier successes which saw the 4x400m team secure a European final place in a new national record, all coming on the back of Louise Shanahan’s superb semi-final which also saw her qualify for tomorrow’s 800m final.
Shanahan will lead out an Irish team on a day that will see Irish athletes competing in three of tomorrow evening’s finals. The Leevale athlete will go in one of the hottest fields of these championships when she takes to the 800m start line for the gruelling two lap burn-up from 7.15pm.
The Irish 800m record holder (1.59.42) has continued to find her best when required this season, and it will be no surprise to anyone if her thundering final 100m kick has her right in contention come 7.17pm tomorrow.
The women’s 4x400m relay team secured their place in tomorrow’s final with a national record-breaking performance earlier today and they could not have looked more impressive in clocking the 3.26.06 time. They will likely need to go even faster to get amongst the medals in another quality field, but a favourable lane 5 draw and a squad full of talent is sure to have them right there in contention come the final changeover. All eyes will be on the quartet taking to the track for 8.45pm start tomorrow (team selection will follow in sperate release).
Completing the day of finals for the Irish will be Michelle Finn who will go in the women’s 3000m steeplechase final at 8.12pm. Finn ran a superb final lap in the semi-final to qualify as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers and the two-time Olympian is sure to have a top ten finish in her sights.
DAY 6: SATURDAY 20TH
Team Ireland European Championships
(Times listed in Irish Time)
- 7.15pm Women’s 800m Final: Louise Shanahan
- 7.43pm Women’s 100mH Heats: *Sarah Lavin advances to Sunday’s semi-final as one of the top 12 ranked athletes.
- 8.45pm Women’s 4x400m Final: Team Ireland
- 9.13pm Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Final: Michelle Finn
MORE INFORMATION