Dara Kervick’s immediate focus may be on this week’s European Indoor Athletics Championship in Prague, but the Pilltown 400m runner’s long-term goal is very much outdoors where he aims to emulate David Gillick by breaking the 45-second barrier.

All-round great Ashton Eaton narrowly missed out on a world record in retaining his heptathlon title at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Poland tonight.

Ireland have secured league one status at the European team championships finishing seventh overall.

Ciarán Ó Lionáird turned a “turbulent” 2012 into a composed bronze medal-winning performance on Saturday evening at the European Indoor championships in Gothenburg and now wants to make an impact on the world stage.

Great Britain's Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah were awarded the 2012 European Athlete of the Year prizes at the European Athletics Awards Night in St Julians, Malta, last night.

There was no joy for Ireland’s two finalists at the European track and field championships in Helsinki yesterday as Brian Gregan, hit by a groin spasm 80m into the men’s 400m final, faded in the closing stages of the race and Jessie Barr, trying out a new stride pattern, never got into a striking position in the women’s 400m hurdles final.

A groin injury ruined Brian Gregan’s hopes of a medal at the European Athletics Championships, with a brave performance seeing him struggle over the line after being in the top three throughout the 400m final in Helsinki.

Brian Gregan has been denied a potential medal at the European Athletics Championships by a groin strain suffered during his 400m final.

Brian Gregan will line up for today’s final of the men’s 400m at the European championships in Helsinki as a live medal hope after another impressive performance in the semi-finals that saw him claim automatic qualification by finishing second.

Another sensational day in Helsinki has seen three Irish athletes qualify for finals at the European Athletics Championships.

There was a mix of joy, drama and heartbreak for the Irish athletes in action on the opening day of the European track and field championships in Helsinki yesterday.