Thomas Barr created history by winning a brilliant bronze medal in the 400m hurdles in 48.31 seconds at the European Athletics Championships in Berlin last night.
Barr became the first Irish male sprinter to win an outdoor European medal in the 84-year history of the event.
His performance is the latest in perhaps the most successful week of international sport that Ireland has ever enjoyed following the successes of the Women’s Hockey team, the O’Donovan Brothers in rowing, Shane Ryan in swimming and with the promise of yet more to come.
“It was really reminiscent of Rio with all the Irish flags and fans out there. It all came together and I was raring to go from the afternoon to get out there,” said Barr afterwards.
“I really wanted that hardware and to join Ciara (Mageean) and Mark (English) with medals along with the greats like Sonia (O’Sullivan) and Derval (O’Rourke). I’m just so happy it came together and I’m really thankful to all my team.”
It made Thomas Barr the tenth Irish athlete to win a medal at the European Championships.
Leon Reid (Menapians) was a little disappointed with 7th in the 200m final with 20.37 but, like the 400m hurdles final, it was arguably the highest quality in the history of the championship. It was won by Turkey’s Ramil Guliyev in a championship record of 19.76.
Today will be another busy morning of action with Phil Healy (Bandon) in the heats of the 200m at 10:25, Ciara Mageean (UCD) in the heats of the 1500m, Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle) and Michelle Finn (Leevale) in the heats of the 3,000m steeplechase at 11:25, along with the heats of the men’s and women’s 4x400m relays at 12:05 and 12:40. Thomas Barr has a quick turnaround competing in the 4x400m relay.