A bittersweet final day for Ireland at the European Athletics Championships in Zurich saw fourth and fifth places achieved, with another national record taken – but so much more was possible.

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.

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

Ireland’s Robert Heffernan today set a new national record as he finished fourth for the second time in four days in the European Championships in Barcelona.