Sarah Healy wins thrilling 1,500m final in battle with rival Sophie O’Sullivan

BATTLE: Sarah Healy of UCD celebrates beating Sophie O'Sullivan in the Women’s 1500m Final.  Picture: INPHO/Bryan Keane

Sarah Healy is far too polite an athlete to talk of revenge, too averse to hyperbole to call this redemption, but as the Dubliner reversed placings from the recent European U-23 final, taking down Sophie O’Sullivan in an unforgettable 1,500m final at the Irish Athletics Championships, we can say this: it was a reminder, as if needed, of her immense courage and class.

O’Sullivan outkicked Healy to lead a historic Irish 1-2 in Finland and Healy was intent on blunting her rival’s speed this time, hammering the second lap in Santry, taking O’Sullivan to a place she’d rather not go. But O’Sullivan went there, with Healy deciding to soon hold fire, letting the pace slow to a crawl with a lap to run. With 250m left, O’Sullivan attacked, but this time it was different, Healy powering away to take gold in 4:11.39, with O’Sullivan second in 4:12.00. A true classic.