Reale books final spot with gutsy run

LIAM REALE, in his first appearance at a major championship, qualified for the final of the men’s 1,500m with a never-say-die performance at the European Championships in Gothenburg last night, finishing eighth in 3:41.97 in a heat that produced all four fastest losers.

In a rough and tumble first semi-final, James Nolan finished one place from the end after an altercation with the gold medal favourite, Ukranian Ivan Heshko, that shot him out of the top three and back through the field.

The Irish team management considered lodging a protest but, after watching a video of the race along with Nolan, decided not to proceed.