Jigsaw pieces falling into place for in-form English

For Mark English the 800m is like a jigsaw, and it’s one he’s been trying to piece together for several years, often with varying results.

At times he’s been brilliant, most notably in 2014 when the Donegal man won a European bronze medal and rose to national prominence. But other times, English has been little more than a spectator at major championships, watching athletes he knows he can beat ascend the podium as he cursed the ill-timed injuries that derailed his plans.

For glass-half-full types, his career to date has been an unqualified success – European medals, indoors and out, and he’s also run the second fastest 800m ever by an Irishman: 1:44.84.