BRIAN GREGAN HAS qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s 400m but it proved a disappointing return to the international arena at the European Championships for David Gillick.
Gregan advanced as one of three fastest losers in Amsterdam, in 47.02, following his fifth-place finish in Heat 3.
“The main thing was to get through to the semi-finals in what were difficult conditions for everyone,” Gregan said afterwards.
Ballinteer native Gillick, a double former European indoor champion making his international return after retiring from athletics four years ago, finished last of the eight runners in Heat 2, in 47.81.
“I got out hard over the first 150m but I just didn’t quite have it in the home straight,” said Gillick, whose priority is the relay this weekend and securing a qualifying berth for the team at the Olympics in Rio.
“It’s great to be back here given where I’ve come from,” he continued.
“The main priority this week is the relay and I’ll look after myself over the next 48 hours and get ready for a big weekend.”
Craig Lynch also failed to advance to the next round, the Shercock AC athlete finishing seventh in Heat 1, in 47.61.
In the women’s heats for the 400m, Sinead Denny qualified for the semi-finals with a third-place finish in Heat 3.
The 25-year-old’s effort of 53,95, just seven tenths of a second outside her personal best, was the 11th quickest heat time of the 13 qualifiers for the semis.
“I’m delighted with that,” Denny said after the race.
“It was very windy down the back straight and I always find something in the last 100m to pull through. I’ll go again tomorrow.”
It wasn’t such a memorable outing for Naas’ Claire Mooney whose time of 55.66 saw her finish seventh in Heat 1, a race which was won by former Olympic champion, Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain.
There are a number of other Irish athletes in action this afternoon, including Thomas Barr (men’s 400m hurdles, round 1), and Tara Jameson and Fionnuala McCormack (both in the women’s 10,000m final).
Today’s Irish athletes in action:
Meanwhile, Olive Loughnane will be presented with her retrospective World Championships 20km Race Walk gold medal from Berlin 2009 at the medal presentation zone this evening at 7.15pm Irish time.
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