Ciara Mageean advances to Euro Indoors 1500m final
03 March 2017
Northern Ireland’s Ciara Mageean (Coach: Jerry Kiernan) has reached the European Championships Indoor final in Belgrade, Serbia.
It was not a comfortable progression for the UCD AC athlete, after being forced to wait on confirmation of her place. Competing in Heat 2 of the 1500m, Ciara looked comfortable throughout, sitting just off the lead. However, when required to cement her place over the final 200 metres, the outdoor European Athletics Championship 1500m medalist struggled, finishing in 4:12.81 for 4th place – outside the automatic qualification places.
Good news followed for the Portaferry native – after a slower Heat 3, Ciara’s place in tomorrow’s final was confirmed. Speaking after the race, Ciara said, “being a fastest loser wasn’t what my plan was, I wanted to be number one or two. But, look, through to the final and that’s what matters.”
Newcastle AC’s Kerry O’Flaherty (Coach: Richard Rogers) was also in action over 1500m (Heat 3). The AAI National 1500m Champion recorded 4:23.83 for 6th place; this was not enough to progress. The fastest lady over the 1500m heats was Great Britain & NI’s Laura Muir (4:10.28). The final will take place tomorrow (Saturday 4th March 2017) at 18:45hrs GMT.
In a 60m hurdles marred by two false starts and resulting disqualifications, North Down AC’s Ben Reynolds (Coach: Tom Reynolds) showed composure but unfortunately failed to progress to the final. Ben recorded his second quickest time over the distance this season when taking 6th place in 7.81. Great Britain & NI's gold medal favourite Andy Pozzi (7.52) was the quickest athlete in the 60m hurdles heats.
Sourced: NiRunning