SUPERB SILVER FOR GRIGGS IN VALIANT DEFENCE OF 3,000M TITLE

Nick Griggs (Candour Track Club) won a superb silver medal in the 3,000m at the European Athletics U20 Championships in Jerusalem this evening (Aug 9th).

Griggs, who will represent Ireland at the World Athletics Championships later this month over 1500m, clocked 8:45.69 in a valiant defence of the 3,000m title he won back in 2021. 

The Tyrone teenager hit the bell well positioned before unleashing a run for home with 300m to go in what was a hugely tactical race. Jonathan Grahn (SWE) was the only athlete to stay on the heels of Griggs with both athletes rounding the final bend side by side. The Swede managed to pass the defending champion in the final 80 meters to cross in a winning time of 8:44.67.

Speaking after the race Griggs said: “It was tactical, I tried to move up and do what I did last time by taking it up with 300m to go but Jonathan is a really good athlete and he’s got speed”.

Griggs continued: “This was driving me all season, to come here and defend my title, so I’m disappointed. I’ll take some time to reflect, and I’ll head to Budapest in ten days which I’m really excited about. I’ll go out there and give it a go, there’s no pressure on me so I can just go out and see what happens”.

The men’s 3,000m bronze went to Bradley Giblin (GBR) in 8:47.26.

Ava Rochford (Nenagh Olympic A.C.) was also in final action this evening, claiming a top ten finish with an equal lifetime best of 1.80m in the high jump competition. The 17-year-old also equalled her personal best in yesterday’s qualifying round and will take much away from her impressive championship performance.

The women’s high jump medals went to Angelina Topic (SRB) 1.90m, Elisabeth Pihela (EST) 1.88m, and Joana Herrmann (GER) 1.86m.

Oisin Joyce (Lake District AC) picked up Ireland’s third top ten finish of the day, finishing in a brilliant 6th place in the men’s javelin with a best throw of 70.25 which was only marginally shy of his 70.56 pb.

Today’s morning session saw Elizabeth Ndudi (Dundrum South Dublin AC) ease her way through to tomorrow’s long jump final. The national senior champion posted a second jump of 6.37m which was enough to see her through as one of the top 12 qualifiers. Tomorrow’s medal decider is set for a 7.15am start (Irish time).

The 4x400m relays teams also stormed into championship action this morning with both the men’s and women’s teams securing their places in tomorrow’s respective finals.

The women’s 4x400m relay team of Kate O’Connell, Hannah Murray, Renee Crotty, and Niamh Murray finished 3rd in their semi-final in a season’s best time of 3:39:02 SB to progress as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.

The men’s 4x400m relay team of David Bosch, Joe Doody, Stephen Mannion, and David Mannion were just as impressive, clocking 3:10:43Q for second place.

Anna Gavigan (Lambay Sports & Athletics Club) was another to impress on day 3 for Team Ireland, going agonisingly close to making tomorrow’s discus final. Gavigan produced a best throw of 46.09m which was just one place shy of progressing from this morning’s qualifying round.

Fintan Dewhirst (Tir Chonaill A.C.) bowed out of this year’s championships at the semi-final stage in the 400mH, finishing 7th in 56.64. Dewhirst has already shown that he knows how to win medals at European level and is sure to take much from his 51.49 PB in Tuesday’s opening round.

Victoria Amiadamen (Dooneen A.C.) also finished her individual championship at the semi-final stage of the 400mH, signing off in style with her second personal best of the week (59.53) securing 13th place in Europe for the Dooneen star.

The final day of the European Athletics U20 Championships promises to be another exciting day for the Irish in Jerusalem with Elizabeth Ndudi set to lead the way in the first of six (potentially seven) finals for Team Ireland.

• Day three results are HERE

Irish in action: Day 4

Morning – Thursday August 10th: Irish time (Local time)

• Elizabeth Ndudi – Women’s Long Jump Final – 07:15 (09:15)
• Men’s 4x100m Relay Round One – 07:55 (09:55)

Evening – Thursday August 10th:

• Maeve O’Neill – Women’s 800m Final – 15:57 (17:57)
• Avril Millerick & Louise O’Mahony – Women’s 5,000m Final – 17:30 (19:30)
• Jonas Stafford – Men’s 5,000m Final – 18:20 (20:20)
• Women’s 4x400m Relay – Final – 19:07 (21:07)
• Men’s 4x400m Relay – Final – 19:16 (21:16)