Irish quintet fail to progress in Sopot

It was always going to be a tough ask for the five Irish athletes to progress from their respective heats on day one of the World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland yesterday, and so it proved, with none of the quintet able to make it to a final.

UCD’s Mark English, Ireland’s main hope, gave it his all in the final heat of the men’s 800m and was in good position but faded to fourth in 1:47.60, outside qualification, in a race won by local favourite Adam Kszczot in 1:45.76.

“I did give it everything,” said English of his exertions afterwards. “I executed my plan perfectly, those guys were just better over the final 200m. I went through in 51 (seconds through 400m), thought I’d come back in 53 or 54 and qualify but I gave it everything. I was on the track on my back for five minutes afterwards.”