Irish sprinters Sean Doggett and Conor Kelly join three others in European Under-20 Championships Finals
MEDAL HOPE Irish sprinters Sean Doggett and Conor Kelly join two others in European Under-20 Championships Finals
CONOR KELLY and Sean Doggett join Precious Akpe-Moses, Dubem Amah and Cillian Gleeson in final qualification at the European Under-20 Championships.
Doggett set a life-time best in the semi-final to finish in second place and qualify for the 400m final.
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The 18-year-old is in great form going into the final
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Kelly and Doggett will also compete in the 4X400m relays in this championships
The national indoor and outdoor champion was just outside the Irish record with a time of 46:52 just finishing behind the Czech Ondrej Loupal in 46:36 in the third semi.
The Athenry AC man looked to catch Loupal as he flew out of the blocks from lane four but the fastest in qualifying put on the burners at the second to last bend.
Kelly powered through to a 46.58 and first place finish in the 400m first semi-final.
Last year's bronze medalist in this event was the fastest in his field going into the semi-final in lane six.
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The 18-year-old kept checking over his shoulders in the final stretch of the race to ensure a top lane spot was achieved for the final.
The pair will compete side by side in Saturday's final at 6:25pm in the hopes of a medal.
Precious Akpe-Moses secured automatic qualification with a strong third place finish in this morning's Women's 200m heat in 24.22.
The 19-year-old will race in the semi-final on Saturday at 12:20pm in her second semi-final of the championships.
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Akpe-Moses had already cruised into the final yesterday in the 100m, finishing second in her semi-final with a new personal best. (11.62)
The younger sister of Gina Apke-Moses - who won the 100m title at the European Under-20 in 2017 - will compete in the 100m final at 6:40pm today.
Noah Lyles sends clear message to sprint rival Kenny Bednarek after being shoved during fiery 200m race
Cillian Gleeson is also in finals action this evening with the Men's 5000m which will begin at 4:25pm.
Pia Langton and Saoirse Fitzgerald were in action in the Women's 800m heats.
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Langton finished her extremely tough heat in fifth place at 2:09:42. Fitzgerald also failed to qualify finishing in eight (2:09:84) in a heat with 15-year-old Slovenian sensation Ziva Remic
Dubem Amah of Tallaght AC has qualified for tomorrow's final after an impressive second place finish in his Men's 200m heat this morning.
Dearbhla Allen and Caoimhe Flannery both set personal bests in their 3000m Steeplechase heats.
The pair were two of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers, securing a spot in Saturday's final at 3:55pm.
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The 42
2 hours ago
- The 42
Ireland's Precious Akpe-Moses finishes 7th in 100m final
Updated at 19.32 IRELAND'S PRECIOUS Akpe-Moses has finished seventh in the 100m final at the European Athletics U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland. In Thursday's semi-final, the Blackrock AC sprinter set a new personal best time of 11.62 (+0.7m/s), but Akpe-Moses was unable to replicate that feat, producing a time of 11.79 this evening. Precious' older sister, Gina, previously won the title at the event in 2017. Earlier today, the 19-year-old also progressed in the Women's 200m, finishing third in her heat in 24.22 to qualify for tomorrow afternoon's semi-finals, which take place at 12.36pm Irish time. Tonight's 100m was won by 15-year-old prodigy Kelly Doualla of Italy in 11.21. Britain's Mabel Akande secured silver in 11.41, and Uliana Stepaniuk of Ukraine claimed bronze in 11.53. Earlier, Celbridge native Cillian Gleason finished 17th in the men's 5,000m final with a time of 14:37.99. Advertisement Ireland's Sean Doggett. Meanwhile, Sean Doggett's personal best and third fastest overall time of 46.52 saw him come second and reach tomorrow evening's final in the 400m, which takes place at 6.25pm. Fellow Irishman Conor Kelly will join Doggett in that race after winning his semi-final in 46.58 — the fourth fastest time overall. You can view the results in full here and you can follow how the Irish athletes competing this morning fared here. Irish in Action – Day Three – European Athletics U20 Championships Morning Session – Saturday August 9th Enya Silkena – Women's Heptathlon – 100m Hurdles – 08:15 (10:15) Enya Silkena – Women's Heptathlon – High Jump – 09:30 (11:30) Women's 4x400m Relay – Round One – 10:50 (12:50) Men's 4x400m Relay – Round One – 11:25 (13:25) Dubem Amah – Men's 200m – SF – 12:00 (14:00) Precious Akpe-Moses – Women's 200m – SF – 12:30 (14:30) Evening Session – Saturday August 9th Enya Silkena – Women's Heptathlon – Shot Put – 15:00 (17:00) Cian Crampton – Men's Discus Throw – Final – 15:15 (17:15) Precious Akpe-Moses – Women's 200m – Final – 15:35 (17:35) * Dubem Amah – Men's 200m – Final – 15:45 (17:45) * Dearbhla Allen – Women's 3000m Steeplechase – Final – 15:55 (17:55) Caoimhe Flannery – Women's 3000m Steeplechase – Final – 15:55 (17:55) Enya Silkena – Women's Heptathlon – 200m – 16:15 (18:15) Women's 4x100m Relay – Round One – 17:10 (19:10) Men's 4x100m Relay – Round One – 17:40 (19:40) Cormac Dixon – Men's 3000m – Final – 18:05 (20:05) Conor Kelly – Men's 400m – Final – 18:25 (20:25) Sean Doggett – Men's 400m – Final – 18:25 (20:25) *Subject to advancing
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
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Netherlands claim Aga Khan Cup as Ireland finish third
The iconic golden Aga Khan trophy for showjumping, the most historic trophy in the sport was held aloft by the mighty dutch team on the 150th anniversary of Dublin Horse Show where they finished on a zero score on a balmy day at Ballsbridge. It was a closely contested eight team competition, but the Netherlands galloped off with six show stopping clear rounds to claim the Aga Khan trophy and €64,000. Germany finished on the fastest four fault score as runners up and Ireland, despite a gallant attempt claimed third on four faults with a duo of first time supertalented riders. The young guns and future Olympians of Irish showjumping, Tom Wachman (20) and Seamus Hughes Kennedy (22) were outstanding beyond their years producing double clear rounds with their horses Tabasco de Toxandria Z and ESI Rocky. Olympian Cian O'Connor with Bentley de Sury finished with a four faulter and clear round, while discard score was Denis Lynch with a fence down in each round. PUT ON A SHOW: Ireland's Tom Wachman on Tabasco de Toxandria Z. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane Michael Blake's squad gave an exhibition of super talent, cool horses and accurate tough competitive riders, with Wachman and Hughes Kennedy sending the crowds whooping and cheering to the clouds. As both youngsters gave the performances of their career in a front of a home crowd, the smiles on their faces were priceless as they punched the air and their families cheered from the sidelines. As sport goes, the 2025 Aga Khan trophy event had energy and vibe as new show director Fiona Sheridan said: "What a competition, our two very special young riders and and Irish bred horse ESI Rocky." Chef d'equipe of the winning team Wout Jan van der Schans was ecstatic. "Yes I had good confidence. Despite Frank Schuttert falling off his horse after the opening team parade." Frank, a six footer, who partnered the bay mare Isis, had the discard scores in both rounds, but the reason later emerged. "I was on my way back after the parade, my mare had shoes on and was a bit fresh. She slipped and I fell on the hip that I broke four months ago. "However I was delighted my team mates all produced double clear rounds, I had a lot of confidence in them." The dutch pounded along on their 17 hand power houses, as Kevin Jochems and Camilla Van de Helle explained: "My horse is in good shape and getting better and better. She was nine when she came to me and today it went perfect. In the past she always had a fence down. I just love it here, the arena is really good. " Willem Greve, who partnered the exuberant breeding stallion Grandorado, impressed the spectators with his huge jump and verve. "The more he's in the ring the more he's confident and he improves his jump. He's very strong and sensitive. After ten years I now trust in him a bit more. 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Fiona Sheridan paid tribute to the course builder Alan Wade and to Ireland's young guns who produced double clear rounds and drew huge cheers from the thousands of spectators who turned out in style. Germany's team led by chef d'equipe Otto Becker gave an exhibition of horsemanship and had opening clears from Sandra Auffurth with Quirici H and Marco Kutschre on Catelly. Christian Ahlmann was discard score in the opening round with Blueberry while Richard Vogel tipped a fence on Cloudio. Ahlmann and Auffurth produced foot perfect clears in the second round as did Vogel with Kutscher tipping a fence. Ireland never flinched throughout, with confidence and accuracy. In the opening round Denis Lynch's stallion Vistogrand pinged one fence for four faults, but Tom Wachman and Seamus Hughes Kennedy drove the crowd crazy with their skills and huge jumps through the finish and a clean set of heels in four rounds. CLEAR ROUNDS: Ireland's Seamus Hughes Kennedy. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane Cian O'Connor with the talented Bentley de Sury opened on a four faulter and resounding clear in the second round to match clears from Wachman and Hughes Kennedy. Ireland and Germany fought hard throughout to stay ahead of the USA, with Germany overhauling Ireland for runner up place thanks to a faster overall time. The USA under chef d'equipe Robert Ridland were fourth on eight faults. Laura Kraut, twice Olympic bronze medallist produced an outstanding performance with a clear and four, with double clears from McLain Ward. Tom Wachman was confident of a clear prior to the Nations' Cup. "It's a huge honour to ride in the Aga Khan for the first time. I have great faith in my horse Tabasco, I have had him for a year and he's jumped at many super venues. " Gerry Mullins, international trainer and former Irish army rider praised track builder Alan Wade. "It was a big course, wide oxers 1.70m, technical in parts. The good partnerships figured out the solutions." 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RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Annabel Wilson leads Irish contingent at Centurion Club
Lurgan's Annabel Wilson is tied-15th after the opening round at the PIF London Championship with Alexandra Swayne and Laura Fünfstück leading the way at the Centurion Club. Defending champion Leona Maguire - who won in spectacular fashion with an eagle at the final hole last year - is absent but Wilson leads a four-strong Irish contingent after firing a two-under par opening round 71 around the London venue. Lauren Walsh is two strokes further back on even par, the Kildare golfer bouncing back from a double-bogey and bogey on successive holes on the third and fourth with birdies on the fifth and seventh. Sara Byrne carded a one-over 74, which included five bogeys and four birdies, while Anna Foster is well back after a five-over par 78. In glorious conditions, Swayne and Fünfstück both fired rounds of 67 (-6) on the first day to share the lead. It was a good start for Swayne, who represents the U.S. Virgin Islands, as she made a birdie on 10 before her only dropped shot of the day on 11. She rolled in back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18 before an eagle on the first and rounded out her day with birdies on seven and eight to be tied for the lead on six-under-par. Germany's Fünfstück began her day with an eagle at the first and added a birdie on the second before another on the ninth. Her only bogey of the round came on 11, but she bounced back with birdies on 12 and 13 and finished in style with another birdie at the last to be tied alongside Swayne. Switzerland's Chiara Tamburlini and Spain's Carlota Ciganda are in a share of third place on five-under-par. Three-time LET winner Tamburlini had eight birdies and three bogeys on her scorecard for her round of 68. English trio Cara Gainer, Mimi Rhodes and Charlotte Laffar, Sweden's Bringner, and Italy's Alessandra Fanali are in a tie for fifth place on four-under-par.
