English and Barr get job done

Mark English put in a classy performance to win heat two of the men’s 800m in 1:47.38 on a positive day for the Irish athletes at the European Track and Field Championships in Zurich.

“I’ve never felt that good before,” said English in bullish mood immediately after his race yesterday evening. “If I get through to the final then that’s the big one,” continued English, who goes into this evening’s semi-final as the fastest qualifier.

“You’ve got to be confident,” stated the UCD medicine student whose main contenders for gold on Friday will be Pierre Ambroise Bosse of France and the Polish pair of Adam Ksczczot and Marcin Lewandowski. “I’m looking forward to giving them a good bash anyway,” rounded out the confident Donegal man.