Thomas out to raise the Barr

Thomas Barr goes into Tuesday’s Cork City Sports ranked number three in Europe over 400m hurdles and he believes the home meet can help him in his quest for a medal at the European Championships in August.

Barr (Ferrybank) was at Morton Stadium yesterday alongside Laura Crowe (An Ríocht) to launch Athletics Ireland’s new multi-year sponsorship deal with GloHealth insurance which will encompass all national championships and the successful Fit4Life initiative.

“Home meets are great because the crowd is out to see you,” said Barr of the Cork City Sports. “Cork was great last year and I’m hoping to go one better than last year.”

The Limerick-based athlete was pipped by Cornell Fredericks of South Africa when he clattered the last hurdle. There has been no issue with the hurdles this year with Barr breaking the national record on two occasions – he ran 49.61 from lane one in Oordegem in Belgium and then went into world class territory with 48.90 to win in Geneva. “Everything’s been going great for me this season,” said Barr who will be one of the star attractions in Cork.

Laura Crowe will be another to feature at the CIT track on Tuesday and she will be running in Belfast today over 800m at the Mary Peters Track. Crowe has been inconsistent over 1500m this season but had a good win over 800m in 2:04.74 at the opening of the Le Chéile track in Leixlip on Friday.

“I’m looking forward to running a few more 800s and preparing for the Euros,” said Crowe who will be aiming to run 2:01 or better in Belfast today.