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O'Sullivan in action in Gyor. Sasa Pahic Szabo/INPHO
Athletics

O'Sullivan coasts through to 800m final, disappointment for Jumbo-Gula

The 16-year-old will run for gold tomorrow evening.

IRELAND’S IMPRESSIVE SHOWING at the U18 European Championships continued apace on Friday evening, as Sophie O’Sullivan coasted through to tomorrow’s 800 metres final.

O’Sullivan marked her international debut with victory in Thursday’s heats and the 16-year-old produced another measured run this evening to finish second in her semi-final in a time of 2:07.95.

The Ballymore Cobh AC athlete — daughter of Sonia — goes through to Saturday’s final as the sixth-fastest qualifier, as she looks to add to Ireland’s medal haul following Sarah Healy’s sensational gold in the 3,000m earlier.

The 800m final takes place at 8.18pm on Saturday evening.

There was, however, disappointment for Patience Jumbo-Gula in the 100m final in Gyor as a slow start ended her medal hopes, finishing in fifth place in 11.87.

Jumbo-Gula set a championship record in last night’s semi-final and was considered a genuine medal hope, but the final didn’t go as planned, with gold going to Iceland’s Gudbjorg Jona Bjarnadottir by the finest of margins.

“It wasn’t a good run, I didn’t get out well at all,” Jumbo-Gula admitted afterwards.

“I don’t think I was relaxed as the heat and semi and it just didn’t go according to plan.

“The start really put me off my race, I just didn’t react well but it’s a lesson. I’m happy to be here because it has been a long road and I’m really, really grateful. I can’t thank my parents and my coach enough.”

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Ireland’s Sarah Healy dominates the field to claim brilliant gold at European Championships

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