Two Irish disqualifications in Poland

Two disqualifications marred the beginning of day three of the European U23 Athletics Championships in humid Bydgoszcz, Poland this morning.

Irish Junior 20km record holder Colin Griffin was disqualified in the 20km race for lifting.

The Leitrim walker, who qualified for the event with 1:25:20 in Cheboksary, Russia in May, was right in the mix nearing the halfway point, in fifth position of ten starters. Following his last warning however, the national U23 10km champion was pulled up shortly after 12km.

Home favourite Beniamin Kucinski led with eight kilometres remaining and didn't relent to post a winning time of 1:22:07. Although unhappy, Griffin, 20, still has three years left at this underage level.

Barely an hour after Griffin's exit, Ireland had a second disqualification, this time from the women's sprint team on the track.

Running from lane six in the second semi-final of the 4x100m relay and finding it difficult to keep pace with lane rivals Poland, the Irish covered just 170m before the second baton changeover, between Dublin Striders' Fiona O'Friel and national U23 200m champion Anna Boyle, saw them overstep their marks.

Athletics:

European U23 Championships, Day 3, Zawisza Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland

Women's: 4x100m Relay 2nd Semi-final: (1) Ukraine 44.34Q NUR, (2) Poland 44.55Q, (3) France 45.29Q. DQ: Ireland (E Maher (KCH), A Boyle (Ballymena/ Antrim), F O'Friel (Dublin Striders), A McSweeney (Leevale))

Men's: 20km walk: (1) B Kucinski (Pol) 1:22:07, (2) S Lystsov (Rus) 1:24:04, (3) A Talasko (Blr) 1:24:28. DQ: C Griffin (Ballinamore) (Irl)