Foster Qualifies for European Team Final

Ireland's top sprinter Amy Foster  has qualified  for today's (Sat) final of the 100 metres in the First League of the European Team Cup in Vaasa, Finland.

The Lisburn AC athlete had little difficulty in making it through her heat in 2nd place in a time of 11.59 secs behind winner Mujinga Kambundji  of   Switzerland  who crossed  the line  in  11.55 secs.  These two athletes were easily  the fastest qualifiers from 12 competitors and therefore stand a good  chance  of making rostrum positions in today's race.

Amy's prospects are further enhanced by the disqualification of former European champion and firm favourite Ivet  Lalova of Bulgaria.

Unfortunately Holywood's  high hurdler Ben Reynolds was another athlete who was disqualified for a false start. This was particularly galling  as he was  faster than his competitors this season and could have secured valuable points for the Irish team.

However Ireland remained up beat as a number of their athletes performed impressively en route to their respective finals.

An in form Marcus Lawler qualified as second fastest in the 200 metres to Portugal's David Lima in a new PB time of 20.71 secs. This is Lawler's 2nd PB in a few days following his 100 metres  time of 10.30 secs which places him 3rd on the Irish All Time list. 

In the 400 metres Brian Gregan topped the list of qualifiers with an impressive win in 46.24 secs. In the Women's one lap race Sinead Denny was also an easy qualifier when she was 5th fastest in 54.14 secs.

Also qualified is Rio  Olympics 4th placer Thomas Barr who won his 400 hurdles heat in 50.49 secs. He is hot favourite to win today's final following his world class time of sub 49 secs in Oslo a few days ago.

Ballymena's Christine McMahon  was unfortunate not to make her 400 hurdles final  when she was 9th  fastest  in 60.51 secs.