CONOR Kelly took one step closer to a medal on the opening day of the European Athletics U18 Championships in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia with a comfortable win in the preliminary round of the 400m.
Kelly was running in the third heat of five, and neither being drawn in lane eight nor the midday temperatures proved an obstacle for the 17-year-old Derry Track Club athlete who took control almost from the gun.
Displaying the form that saw him set an Irish U18 record for the distance recently, Kelly had opened a sizeable gap by the time the field entered the home straight after 300 metres.
From there he was able to coast home in 48.01 to qualify for Friday morning’s semi-finals. Kelly’s time placed him second fastest of the 24 qualifiers behind France’s Milann Klemenic, who was the only athlete under 48 seconds recording a 47.78 mark.
The other day one competitors of Ireland’s 35-strong squad impressed across the range of disciplines as the field eventers particularly caught the eye.
Both female high jumpers Siun Quinn and Tara O’Connor qualified for their final, equalling or bettering their personal bests with identical 1.79m clearances.
Cian Crampton had no difficulty getting through to the discus decider, achieving a massive seasonal best of 58.59m on his opening throw. Lifford-Strabane thrower Caoimhe Gallen was unfortunate not to reach the final of the hammer after having a best throw of 58.83m, only a metre away from a qualifying spot.
Back on the track, Orangegrove AC sprinter Ben Sykes excelled in winning his heat of the 100m in a personal best 10.71 second clocking. Sykes went even better in the evening’s semi-final, winning in 10.65 seconds, giving him an outside chance of a medal in Friday’s final.
Orlaith Mannion had no difficulty qualifying in fourth place from her heat of the 100m hurdles in 13.92 seconds, while Maria Zakharenko also progressed from the opening round of the women’s 400m with a 56.34 mark for third in her heat.
Enya Silkena was lying 18th after the first day of the pentathlon and Cranford AC’s Caolán McFadden was one of four Irish runners eliminated in the 1500m.
Meanwhile, many of the world’s top athletes will be completing their Olympic preparations at the London Athletics Meet on Saturday with less than two weeks remaining before the track and field programme kicks off in Paris. There will be plenty of Irish interest as well with four of our best athletes in action.
Rhasidat Adeleke drops down to 200m, where she faces tough opposition from, among others, Britain’s world champion Dina Asher Smith, former world sprint relay gold medallist Jenna Prandini of the United States and another American, Gabby Thomas, who is currently ranked global number two at the distance.
Andrew Coscoran runs in Emsley Carr Mile, facing a world-class field that includes the recent one-two from the UK Championships, Neil Gourley and George Mills plus Commonwealth champion Oli Hoare of Australia.
Nick Griggs and Brian Fay take on Grant Fisher, the US record-holder and recent trials winner at 5000m and 10,000m, as well as newly-crowned European 10,000m champion Dominic Lobalu of Switzerland.
At home, all roads lead to the Tyrone hamlet of Galbally, where Brendan Woods and his team have all in place for the annual 5-Mile and 5K races on Sunday morning. Race headquarters is situated at Galbally Community Centre (BT70 2NX).
A record entry of over 500 is expected for what are challenging routes for both events. There are generous prizes across both genders and all age groups to a value in excess of £1500. Record-holder for the five miles are Peter Somba (24:51) and Kerry O’Flaherty (28:58).
The five miles starts at 11am with the 5K kicking off five minutes later. Further information is available on the Galbally Runners Facebook page and online entry is still open at https://www.njuko.net/galbally524 A limited number of entries may be accepted on the day.
