IRELAND HAVE THEIR second medal at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Apeldoorn, with Sarah Healy claiming a stunning gold medal in the 3000m final.
Healy’s gold arrived shortly after Mark English had secured bronze in the men’s 800m final.
Healy timed her run brilliantly to finish strong and pip Britain’s Melissa Courtney-Bryant on the line.
Healy made a push entering the final 600 metres to move into the medal positions, and came out of the final bend in a two-way battle with Courtney-Bryant, clinching the gold in a tight finish.
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"It was amazing...the best part is that my parents are here becasue they have seen me so sad so many times." - Sarah Healy revels in her gold medal victory.
The Dubliner crossed at 8:52.86, with Courtney-Bryant second at 8:52.92.
“It was amazing,” Healy told RTÉ. “To have so many Irish people here, it was so special and to have them so close to the track for my first ever medal is just amazing.
“I think the best part is definitely the fact that my parents are here, because they see me so sad so many times, so that was nice.
“I knew I had an opportunity today to win a medal, and I also knew I had a chance to win gold but I didn’t want to put too much expectation on it and just try and race the best I could.
“I felt so good the whole way around and I knew I can definitely medal, I can definitely win, but it was just so messy it was a case of trying to get the space for it and I had to wait until the last possible moment, but I’m so glad it worked out.”
In the women’s 4x400m relay final, an Ireland team minus Sharlene Mawdsley and Phil Healy, who had to pull out with illness, finished sixth in a time of 3:32.72.
Rachel McCann was out first for Ireland and ran her split in 53.20, before Lauren Cadden clocked 52.80. Arlene Crossan was Ireland’s third runner at 53.50 before Cliodhna Manning ran the final leg in 53.22.
The Netherlands took gold, with Femke Bol pulling clear in a dominant final leg 50.42, as the home favourites clocked 3:24.34.
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Sarah Healy claims stunning gold medal in 3000m final
IRELAND HAVE THEIR second medal at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Apeldoorn, with Sarah Healy claiming a stunning gold medal in the 3000m final.
Healy’s gold arrived shortly after Mark English had secured bronze in the men’s 800m final.
Healy timed her run brilliantly to finish strong and pip Britain’s Melissa Courtney-Bryant on the line.
Healy made a push entering the final 600 metres to move into the medal positions, and came out of the final bend in a two-way battle with Courtney-Bryant, clinching the gold in a tight finish.
The Dubliner crossed at 8:52.86, with Courtney-Bryant second at 8:52.92.
“It was amazing,” Healy told RTÉ. “To have so many Irish people here, it was so special and to have them so close to the track for my first ever medal is just amazing.
“I think the best part is definitely the fact that my parents are here, because they see me so sad so many times, so that was nice.
“I knew I had an opportunity today to win a medal, and I also knew I had a chance to win gold but I didn’t want to put too much expectation on it and just try and race the best I could.
“I felt so good the whole way around and I knew I can definitely medal, I can definitely win, but it was just so messy it was a case of trying to get the space for it and I had to wait until the last possible moment, but I’m so glad it worked out.”
In the women’s 4x400m relay final, an Ireland team minus Sharlene Mawdsley and Phil Healy, who had to pull out with illness, finished sixth in a time of 3:32.72.
Rachel McCann was out first for Ireland and ran her split in 53.20, before Lauren Cadden clocked 52.80. Arlene Crossan was Ireland’s third runner at 53.50 before Cliodhna Manning ran the final leg in 53.22.
The Netherlands took gold, with Femke Bol pulling clear in a dominant final leg 50.42, as the home favourites clocked 3:24.34.
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Athletics Champion sarah healy