Updated at 20.02

IRELAND’S CONOR Kelly has secured European U20 400m gold in a national U20 record of 45.83 in Ratinan Stadium, Finland, today.

The Finn Valley AC sprinter, who turned 18 last month, finished comfortably ahead of France’s Milann Klemenic (46.44) and Czech athlete Ondřej Loupal (46.62), who took silver and bronze, respectively.

Athenry’s Sean Doggett also made the final and finished seventh in 47.16.

Kelly claims Ireland’s sixth gold medal in the last three editions of these European U20 championships, following in the footsteps of Nick Griggs (3000m, 2021), Cian McPhillips (1500m, 2021), Rhasidat Adeleke (100m/200m, 2021), and Elizabeth Ndudi (Long Jump, 2023).

“This is a dream come true, it’s really special,” Kelly said. “The lactic acid has really sunk in now. It was a tough race.”

Kelly also spoke about using the fact that he had to settle for bronze at last year’s European U18 Championships as motivation for the triumph.

“Last season hurt, this season had to be special. That bronze was like a dagger, and it’s been sitting there all season, but I’ve finally pulled it out. I’ve dreamt about this every minute of every day since then.”

💬”I’ve dreamed about this everyday, every second of everyday “

He’s gone and done it! 🤩

Conor Kelly becomes U20 European 400m Champion while breaking his own U20 National Record with a time of 45.83! 🥇🔥#irishathletics #tampere2025 @Ask123ie pic.twitter.com/2IULDOz3Qd

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 9, 2025

Meanwhile, having impressed in the 100m earlier this week, Precious Akpe-Moses finished an agonising fourth in this evening’s 200m final.

After setting a personal best in this morning’s semi-final (23.60), the Blackrock AC sprinter clocked a 23.72 in the final to round out a stunning individual championship.

Akpe-Moses later helped the women’s 4x100m relay team secure a place in tomorrow’s relay sprint final.

Fatima Amusan, Molly Daly and Leila Colfer also represented an Irish team that finished second in their heat to progress with a time of 45.27.

Sunday’s final takes place at 3.50pm Irish time.

Earlier, a personal best by Tallaght AC’s Dubem Amah led to his seventh place.

Running in the 200m event, he ran his best in the semi-final heat, coming in at 21.30 seconds.

Not yet 18, having just turned 17 a month ago, he then produced another strong run to clock in at 21.76 in the final to grab a seventh place.

Meanwhile, Cian Crampton (Edenderry AC) secured a sixth-place finish in the men’s discus competition.

Crampton saved his best for last with the final throw of his competition, measuring in at 57.76.

Tallaght’s Cormac Dixon finished ninth overall in the 3000m in 8:48.27.

In this afternoon’s 3000m steeplechase final, Irish pair Dearbhla Allen (11th) 10:36.03 and Caoimhe Flannery (13th) 10:43.73 produced creditable performances.

Results Summary – Day Three – European Athletics U20 Championships

Saturday Aug 9th

• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – 100m Hurdles – 18.86 (403 points)
• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – High Jump – 1.62m (1162 points)
• Women’s 4x400m Relay – Round One – 6^th, Heat 1 (3:39.34 SB)
• Men’s 4x400m Relay – Round One – 4^th, Heat 1 (3:12.28)
• Dubem Amah – Men’s 200m – 4^th, SF 2 (21.30 PB q)
• Precious Akpe-Moses – Women’s 200m – 1^st, SF 3 (23.60 Q)
• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – Shot Put – 10.90m (589 points)

• Cian Crampton – Men’s Discus Throw – Final –
• Precious Akpe-Moses – Women’s 200m – Final – 4^th (23.72)
• Dubem Amah – Men’s 200m – Final – 7^th (21.76)
• Dearbhla Allen – Women’s 3000m Steeplechase – Final – 11^th (10:36.03)
• Caoimhe Flannery – Women’s 3000m Steeplechase – Final – 13^th (10:43.73)
• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – 200m – 25.33 (857 points)
• Women’s 4x100m Relay – Round One, 2^nd, Heat 2 – 45.27Q
• Men’s 4x100m Relay – Round One – Heat 2 – DNF
• Cormac Dixon – Men’s 3000m – Final – 9^th (8:48.27)
• Conor Kelly – Men’s 400m – Final – GOLD (45.83 NU23R)
• Sean Doggett – Men’s 400m – Final – 7^th (47.16)

Irish in Action – Day Four – European Athletics U20 Championships

Morning Session – Sunday August 10^th 

• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – Long Jump – 08:00 (10:00)
• Seamus Clarke – Men’s 10,000m Race Walk – Final – 08:25 (10:25)
• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – Javelin Throw Group A – 09:20 (11:20)

Evening Session – Sunday August 10^th

• Women’s 4x100m Relay – Final – 15:50 (17:50)
• Sean Cronin – Men’s 1500m – Final – 16:45 (18:45)
• Enya Silkena – Women’s Heptathlon – 800m – 17:40 (19:40)

Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy

You can view the results in full here.