Good Irish effort in athletics distance relay

Athletics Ireland put up a spirited challenge in the men’s distance medley relay at the Armory Invitational, going under the old world record but having to be content with second in 9:25.37 behind a dominant US outfit in 9:19.93.

Matthew Centrowitz set the U.S. well on their way with a 2:49.47 split with Ireland and the rest playing catch-up. Clonliffe Harriers’ Declan Murray (2:53.17) handed over to clubmate Brian Gregan (47.40) with Mark English (UCD) laying in wait on the 800m leg.

English got them into second with the fastest 800m split of 1:46.59 with Leevale’s Ciarán Ó Lionáird 20m adrift. He bravely caught up with Pat Casey but faded on the last 200m.

UCD’s Ciara Everard set a European Indoor qualifying time at the GloHealth Open Indoor Championships over 800m yesterday when she won in 2:03.37.

Danny Mooney (Letterkenny) won the men’s 1500m and dipped under the European indoor standard of 3:43.00 in 3:42.67. Star of the Sea’s Andrew Coscoran ran a European junior qualifying time with 3:47.03.

Clonliffe’s Dara Kervick was narrowly outside the 400m standard (47.20) with 47.26. Martin Fagan (Mullingar Harriers) kept up his winning ways on the roads in Trim with a swift 48:23 over 10 miles.