PBS AND TOP CLASS PERFORMANCES ON DAY 1 OF EYOF

Today saw a strong display of performances from Team Ireland athletes across the board at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Banska Bystrica. Personal Bests and qualification for finals were clocked throughout this first day of competition, in the multi-sport event for athletes aged 14-18 that runs from the 25 – 30 July. 

Athletics

Four of the Team Ireland athletics team were competing today, with four finals up for grabs. Rising to the occasion, the Irish athletes ensured the schedule would remain busy, qualifying for each final.

Ratoath’s Jesse Osas blitzed his boy’s 100m heat, finishing second with a personal best time of 10. 91. This booked the sixteen year old a place in tomorrow’s final. After his race, Osas said,

“I felt really well out of the blocks, going through I was happy. Coming from Ireland to Slovakia took a while to settle in to, but I felt good going into the race. Today, this whole event, coming here, running for my country, it feels great.”

Another personal best run was recorded by Cork’s Nicole Dinan in the girl’s 800m with a time of 2:12.27, 

“Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect, I said I’d go out there and do what I needed to do. It was an easy enough start, a bit messy throughout the race, but that’s to be expected. Coming up the final straight I was like I’m here, I’m going to go for it, I pumped the arms to see what would happen.”

Cork’s Okwu Backari also moved to the final in the long jump with 5.41. While not clocking her best jump, Backari was relived to move to the finals tomorrow,

“My first jump was by far my best jump, I was a little behind the board, but it was still a good jump and I got it in. It’s my first huge competition, and not many people get to get here.”

Hollie Kilroe from Galway made it a clean sweep of qualifications for the athletics team, moving to the final with a time of 56.86. Pleased with her result, Kilroe said “I started off very fast, maybe a bit too fast, but I was delighted to hold it. I scraped the finals but very happy I did.”

 

RESULTS – MONDAY 25 JULY 2022

Athletics

Jesse Osas – Boy’s 100m Heats 10.91 (PB) Q for Final

Okwu Backari – Girl’s Long Jump Heats 5.41 Q for Final

Nicola Dinan – Girl’s 800m Heats 2:12.27 (PB) Q for Final

Hollie Kilroe – Girl’s 400m Heats 56.81 Q for Final

SCHEDULE – TUESDAY 26 JULY 2022

09:36 Swimming – Conor Fitzgerald – 100m Freestyle Heats (Lane 3)

10:34 Swimming - Grace Davison – 200m Breaststroke Heats

10:40 Athletics – Senan O’Reilly – 800m Heats

10:40 Badminton – Michelle Shochan (IRL) V Jelena Buchberger (CRO) Girl’s Singles R2

11:00 Cycling – Ailyah Rafferty Girl’s Time Trial (#1) 78 starters, 8.4km course

11:32 Cycling – Aine Doherty Girl’s Time Trial (#33) 78 starters, 8.4km course

11:58 Cycling – Mya Doocey Girl’s Time Trial (#59) 78 starters, 8.4km course

12:25 Badminton – Dylan Noble (IRL) V Andrei Schmidt (EST) Boy’s Singles R2

14:30 Badminton – Michelle Shochan (IRL) V Anja Rumpold (AUT) Girl’s Singles R3

16:00 Cycling – Sam Coleman Boy’s Time Trial (#1) 93 starters, 8.4km course

16:36 Cycling – Patrick Casey Boy’s Time Trial (#37) 93 starters, 8.4km course

16:45 Gymnastics – Niall Hooten Men’s Artistic Gymnastics – runs to 19:00

17:09 Cycling – Seth Dunwoody Boy’s Time Trial (#70) 93 starters, 8.4km course

17:45 Badminton – Michelle Shochan (IRL) V Marie Stern (GER) Girl’s Singles R4

17:55 Athletics – Okwu Backari – Long Jump Finals

18:14 Swimming – Conor Fitzgerald – 100m Freestyle SF

18:10 Athletics – Sean Cronin – 1500m Final

18:54 Swimming – Grace Davison – 200m Breaststroke Final

20:20 Athletics – Jesse Osas – 100m Finals