Kate O’Connor (Dundalk St. Gerard’s AC) has got her pentathlon competition off to a fantastic start at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.

The 24-year-old currently sits in the silver medal winning position with 2903 points after three of the five events have been completed.

O’Connor opened up her day in the High Jump, where she clocked a personal best of 8.31 seconds, taking 0.06 seconds off her previous best set earlier this season.

She then moved to the High Jump where again produced a lifetime best. It was a nerve-wracking event for her however as she had two failed attempts at 1.75m before she cleared that height, with the same scenario unfolding at 1.81m. With the bar at 1.84m then she soared over on her second attempt screaming with delight as she added 2cm to her previous personal best.

The last event of the morning session was the Shot Put, and O’Connor was pleased with her throw of 14.32m, which was only 10cm down on her season’s best and indoor personal best.

Speaking afterwards the Dundalk woman gave this reaction to the competition so far:

“It’s been really good. I can’t complain with two personal bests, I was only 10cm off my season’s best in the Shot Put also. That was probably the most nerve-wracking High Jump competition I have ever been through in my whole life…I know that those heights (1.75m and 1.81m) are there but it’s just a case of trying to deal with the nerves at championships and being able to produce. I’m thankful I was able to pull it together.”

O’Connor returns to action this afternoon for the Long Jump before the 800m concludes her schedule.

Meanwhile, Andrew Coscoran (3000m), Mark English (800m), Sarah Healy (3000m) and the Women’s 4x400m Relay will all be in final action.

Team Ireland Schedule

Evening Session – Sunday March 9^th

• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Pentathlon – Long Jump – 14:10 (15:10)
• Andrew Coscoran – Men’s 3000m – Final – 15:50 (16:50)
• Mark English – Men’s 800m – Final – 16:27 (17:27)
• Sarah Healy – Women’s 3000m – Final – 16:36 (17:36)
• Kate O’Connor – Women’s Pentathlon – 800m – 17:03 (18:03)
• Women’s 4x400m Relay – Final – 17:50 (18:50)

• Results are HERE