McCarthy misses out on consecutive finals

Celbridge sprint star David McCarthy missed out on his bid to make consecutive World Indoor finals this afternoon in Budapest, as he faded over the final lap to clock a poor 47.34s in fifth in the first 400m semi-final.

The 20-year-old student teacher put unneeded pressure on himself in yesterday’s heats, having to pull out a flying final 200 to qualify, akin to last year's 46.61 semi final run.

But today’s upping in class proved beyond the three-time Irish Indoor champion.

His draw put him against some top class athletes, all low-46 men, and to qualify would have meant dipping under his season’s best of 46.80, but with race winner Davian Clarke of Jamaica clocking 46.34, Congo’s Gary Kikaya in second (46.46) and American Joe Mendel fast finishing in 46.56 on the curb, McCarthy eased off in the final strides.

His elimination sees Ireland with four athletes left in individual competition in the Hungarian capital – James Nolan (1500m semi final), Paul Brizzel (200m semi final), Adrian O’Dwyer (high jump final) and Maria McCambridge (3000m final).

Men’s: 400m Semi final: (First three of each heat qualify) Heat 1 – (1) D Clarke (JAM) 46.34secs (Q), (2) G Kikaya (COD) 46.46 (Q) (SB), (3) J Mendel (USA) 46.56 (Q), (5) D McCarthy (IRL) 47.34.