EUROPEAN ATHLETICS U23 CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAY 2 MORNING SESSION

MCEVOY SECURES TOP 10 AS MCPHILLIPS QUALIFIES FOR EUROPEAN 800M FINAL

Shay McEvoy (Kilkenny City Harriers) finished 10th in this morning’s 5,000m final at the European Athletics U23 Championships in Espoo, Finland (14th July).

McEvoy was joined on the start-line by teammate Callum Morgan (Candour Track Club) who finished 14th in a race that was run at a blistering pace from the gun.

Speaking after the race, McEvoy, who crossed in 13:52:76 said: “The pace was hot from early on, from 800m in you knew you were in a race. I’m happy enough with 10th after a long season. I normally have a good last 400 so I knew I could pick up a few places on the close”.

Callum Morgan was in touching distance of McEvoy for much of the race before the chasing group splintered with a mile to go. Morgan clocked 14:14:73 and speaking after the race he said: “I went with the hot pace and wasn’t expecting them to go out that hard. I was expecting to be on the train no matter what and it was working until about a mile to go but I didn’t lose too many positions and it’s something to build on with two more cracks at these championships to come”.

The men’s 5,000m medals went the way of Charles Hicks (GBR) in 13:35:07, Eemil Helander (FIN) 13:40:15, and Will Barnicoat (GBR) 13:45:24.

Cian McPhillips (UCD AC) booked his place Sunday’s 800m final (4.10pm Irish time), securing a non-automatic qualifying place to finish 4th in his heat in a time of 1.46.35q. McPhillips had a nervous wait for the conclusion of the second heat but he safely progressed with his time ultimately ranking as 4th fastest overall.

James Ezeonu (Leevale AC) went in the heats of the men’s 110m hurdles this morning but unfortunately his 5th place finish in 14:43 was not enough to progress to this evening’s semi-final.

Speaking after his race, he said: “It was one of those days, I was ready to go but I’m still young and the standard out here is high, I’ll be back”.

Team Ireland will be back in action at the stadium later this evening with the trio of Israel Olatunde (100m), Jack Raftery (400m), and Nicola Tuthill (Hammer) all taking to their respective finals.

Jack Raftery (Donore Harriers) will be first up in the 400m at 5.20pm Irish time.

All the action from Espoo is streamed live on All Athletics TV in partnership with RTE.

• Day 2 Results HERE.

Irish in action: Day 2 (Afternoon Session) - Times listed in Irish time:

ENDS

• Event timetable here.
• Event website here.