IRELAND’S SEÁN AIGBOBOH and Marcus Lawler have missed out on progression to the Men’s 200m final at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Aigboboh finished fourth in the opening semi-final in 20.46 seconds, and was momentarily in the hot seats.
But the Irish record holder dropped out after the second semi-final, in which Lawler finished eighth in 21.11.
A good run by Sean Aigboboh - and a spell in the hot seat - but in the end it was not enough to make it through to the men’s 200m final at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
With the top two in each of the three races qualifying, along with the next two by fastest times, Aigboboh placed 12th overall with Lawler 23rd.
“You can’t really be all too negative about it,” Aigboboh told RTÉ’s David Gillick.
“It’s good enough at 20 to get my first senior cap and come out here to a major championship, competing on an individual level against all these top athletes.
“I can’t also say that I’m very happy with it. Obviously, I wanted to make that final, I wanted to really attack those top positions. It’s been a long season, I can’t be too disappointed with how I ended. We still have the relay to go, so hopefully we can attack those top spots there.”
Not to be for Marcus Lawler in the men’s 200m semi-final at the European Championships, but a good day after a fine run in his heat earlier on Thursday.
While Aigboboh received a bye to the semi-finals, Lawler was fifth in his heat on Thursday morning.
There was a false start in Lawler’s heat, but none of the athletes were disqualified or deemed to be guilty of an infringement. The race proceeded without incident at the second time of asking, with Lawler quickly moving up to third after a brilliant start.
After finishing in fifth, there was a nervy wait to discover if he had qualified. His place was then assured with just two athletes running faster than him in the third heat.
But the Carlow man was disappointed with his semi-final showing.
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“I don’t know about giving a good account of myself there,” said Lawler. “I was a small bit surprised but it was the goal to get to the semi and I achieved that.
“Look, that was probably a step up in class, coupled with my own lack of work with the injury. It’s a little bit disappointing, I thought I could be a little bit more competitive with some of the boys in the field, but look.”
Sean Aigboboh and Marcus Lawler have been reacting to their men’s 200m semi-final exits at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. pic.twitter.com/csDvN6vGbH
Both Irish athletes will now turn their attention to the 4x100m Relay.
“Relay Saturday, that’s something to look forward to, get back out here, team up with the boys and give it a lash,” said Lawler.
“Very disappointed after that, there’s a lot of fire in me now,” Aigboboh added. “I came in here with a lot of passion, fire and drive, it obviously didn’t go to plan there so I’ll be looking to put that to use in the 4×1 and just kill everyone there.”
Earlier on Thursday, Sophie Becker finished last in her women’s 400m semi-final in a time of 52.47 seconds, which was two-tenths down on Wednesday’s season’s best in the heats.
Sophie Becker finishes in eighth place in her women's 400 metres semi-final.
On the inside lane, Becker was quick out of the blocks but ultimately found herself out of contention.
Reflecting on an injury-hit season, Becker said: “I’m not delusional, I know I wasn’t in shape to get into the final, but I was hoping for another season’s best. I would have liked to have seen a 51.9 on the clock.
“Initially, I’m a bit disappointed, but I think yesterday’s run was definitely a step in the right direction for me and it gave me confidence going into today.
Sophie Becker said she "can only be content" with the running in the women's 400 metres heat and semi-final after finding her best resuls of the season.
“I think I can only be content with the performance I’ve put in at these championships. It’s never a case that I just want to show up. I want to put down performances and really partake in it, but unfortunately that’s just the hand I was given this season.”
Polish race winner Natalia Bukowiecka and Czech star Lurdes Gloria Manuel took the automatic qualification berths by breaking 50 seconds.
Becker will now turn her attentions to the 4x400m relay.
Meanwhile, British Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson set up an eagerly-anticipated showdown with in-form Swiss rival Audrey Werro in the women’s 800m final.
But it was not without drama as Werro was brought crashing down to the track in the opening semi-final and was only included in the final after appealing that she had been clipped from behind coming into the home straight.
There's high drama in the women's 800m semi-final as Audrey Werro, who was poised for a huge showdown final with Femke Bol, suffers a fall. The expectation is that there will be an appeal but there's no guarantee on what will be the outcome there. pic.twitter.com/g7uqaq3mKo
Home favourite Hodgkinson, who previously won continental crowns in Munich in 2022 and Rome two years ago, timed 1:57.38 to win her semi.
Dutchwoman Femke Broeders-Bol, the former two-time world 400m hurdles champion who has transitioned into a 800m specialist, was second to the Briton, with Italy’s Eloisa Coiro third.
The first semi-final was drama-filled as Werro crashed to the track as a bunched pack hit the home straight, the Swiss athlete’s foot seemingly clipped by the left hand of France’s Anais Bourgoin.
Werro eventually got to her feet and made it through the finish line.
Her chances of making the final rode on an appeal, which was ultimately successful, as it was for Lithaunia’s Gabija Galvydyte, who was also brought down.
“I was feeling great but unfortunately I don’t know, something happened and then I was on the ground,” said Werro.
Britain’s Jemma Reekie ended up winning the semi in 1:58.61 ahead of Bourgoin, with Switzerland’s Veronica Vancardo nabbing the third automatic qualifying spot.
The clash between Hodgkinson and Werro has been touted as one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the championships.
Irish attention now turns to Mark English and Rhasidat Adeleke in 800m and 200m final action at 9.28pm and 9.50pm respectively.
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Seán Aigboboh and Marcus Lawler miss out on 200m final in Birmingham
LAST UPDATE | 13 Aug
IRELAND’S SEÁN AIGBOBOH and Marcus Lawler have missed out on progression to the Men’s 200m final at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Aigboboh finished fourth in the opening semi-final in 20.46 seconds, and was momentarily in the hot seats.
But the Irish record holder dropped out after the second semi-final, in which Lawler finished eighth in 21.11.
With the top two in each of the three races qualifying, along with the next two by fastest times, Aigboboh placed 12th overall with Lawler 23rd.
“You can’t really be all too negative about it,” Aigboboh told RTÉ’s David Gillick.
“It’s good enough at 20 to get my first senior cap and come out here to a major championship, competing on an individual level against all these top athletes.
“I can’t also say that I’m very happy with it. Obviously, I wanted to make that final, I wanted to really attack those top positions. It’s been a long season, I can’t be too disappointed with how I ended. We still have the relay to go, so hopefully we can attack those top spots there.”
While Aigboboh received a bye to the semi-finals, Lawler was fifth in his heat on Thursday morning.
There was a false start in Lawler’s heat, but none of the athletes were disqualified or deemed to be guilty of an infringement. The race proceeded without incident at the second time of asking, with Lawler quickly moving up to third after a brilliant start.
After finishing in fifth, there was a nervy wait to discover if he had qualified. His place was then assured with just two athletes running faster than him in the third heat.
But the Carlow man was disappointed with his semi-final showing.
“I don’t know about giving a good account of myself there,” said Lawler. “I was a small bit surprised but it was the goal to get to the semi and I achieved that.
“Look, that was probably a step up in class, coupled with my own lack of work with the injury. It’s a little bit disappointing, I thought I could be a little bit more competitive with some of the boys in the field, but look.”
Both Irish athletes will now turn their attention to the 4x100m Relay.
“Relay Saturday, that’s something to look forward to, get back out here, team up with the boys and give it a lash,” said Lawler.
“Very disappointed after that, there’s a lot of fire in me now,” Aigboboh added. “I came in here with a lot of passion, fire and drive, it obviously didn’t go to plan there so I’ll be looking to put that to use in the 4×1 and just kill everyone there.”
Earlier on Thursday, Sophie Becker finished last in her women’s 400m semi-final in a time of 52.47 seconds, which was two-tenths down on Wednesday’s season’s best in the heats.
On the inside lane, Becker was quick out of the blocks but ultimately found herself out of contention.
Reflecting on an injury-hit season, Becker said: “I’m not delusional, I know I wasn’t in shape to get into the final, but I was hoping for another season’s best. I would have liked to have seen a 51.9 on the clock.
“Initially, I’m a bit disappointed, but I think yesterday’s run was definitely a step in the right direction for me and it gave me confidence going into today.
“I think I can only be content with the performance I’ve put in at these championships. It’s never a case that I just want to show up. I want to put down performances and really partake in it, but unfortunately that’s just the hand I was given this season.”
Polish race winner Natalia Bukowiecka and Czech star Lurdes Gloria Manuel took the automatic qualification berths by breaking 50 seconds.
Becker will now turn her attentions to the 4x400m relay.
Meanwhile, British Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson set up an eagerly-anticipated showdown with in-form Swiss rival Audrey Werro in the women’s 800m final.
But it was not without drama as Werro was brought crashing down to the track in the opening semi-final and was only included in the final after appealing that she had been clipped from behind coming into the home straight.
Home favourite Hodgkinson, who previously won continental crowns in Munich in 2022 and Rome two years ago, timed 1:57.38 to win her semi.
Dutchwoman Femke Broeders-Bol, the former two-time world 400m hurdles champion who has transitioned into a 800m specialist, was second to the Briton, with Italy’s Eloisa Coiro third.
The first semi-final was drama-filled as Werro crashed to the track as a bunched pack hit the home straight, the Swiss athlete’s foot seemingly clipped by the left hand of France’s Anais Bourgoin.
Werro eventually got to her feet and made it through the finish line.
Her chances of making the final rode on an appeal, which was ultimately successful, as it was for Lithaunia’s Gabija Galvydyte, who was also brought down.
“I was feeling great but unfortunately I don’t know, something happened and then I was on the ground,” said Werro.
Britain’s Jemma Reekie ended up winning the semi in 1:58.61 ahead of Bourgoin, with Switzerland’s Veronica Vancardo nabbing the third automatic qualifying spot.
The clash between Hodgkinson and Werro has been touted as one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the championships.
Irish attention now turns to Mark English and Rhasidat Adeleke in 800m and 200m final action at 9.28pm and 9.50pm respectively.
- Additional reporting by Emma Duffy and – © AFP 2026
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Athletics marcus lawler Onwards Sean Aigboboh Sophie Becker