Silver lining for Lavin

Sarah Lavin picked up Ireland’s sole medal of the European Junior Championships in Rieti, crossing the line second in a dramatic 100m hurdles final on Saturday.

Lavin entered the final as the third fastest qualifier and her medal aspirations received a major fillip when Germany’s Franziska Hoffman, second quickest from Friday’s semis, was disqualified for a false start.

The 19-year-old seized on the initiative over the first three hurdles before Switzerland’s gold medal favourite Noemi Zbaren charged clear. Lavin and France’s Heloise Kane were left to scrap it out for silver, but the Limerick sprinter dipped first to ensure second place in a time of 13.34.