English impresses in Oslo as Irish team named for Europeans

Andrew Coscoran was also in action in Oslo, finishing 10th in the 1500m in 3:32.68.

Thu, 30 May, 2024 - 21:15

Cathal Dennehy

With the European Championships in Rome just over a week away, Mark English is rounding into form at just the right time. The Donegal man took a big step forward at the Diamond League in Oslo tonight, finishing fourth in the 800m in 1:44.95.

That was his quickest time since July 2022 and the fifth fastest run of his career, just shy of his Irish record of 1:44.71. English, a four-time European medallist, is one of Ireland’s leading hopes for next week’s championships and he showed his tactical awareness is as sharp as ever last week when clocking 1:45.85 to win in Castellon, Spain. The race in Oslo was won by Norway’s Tobias Gronstad in 1:44.67.

Andrew Coscoran was also in action in Oslo, finishing 10th in the 1500m in 3:32.68, the joint-third quickest time of his career. The race was won in thrilling fashion by Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the Norwegian star diving for the line to edge Timothy Cheruiyot in the photo finish in 3:29.74.

In the men’s 5000m, Brian Fay finished 18th in 13:30.45, with Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet producing the second fastest time in history by winning in 12:36.73 ahead of compatriot Yomif Kejelcha (12:38.95). The men’s 400m hurdles served up a thrilling duel between Norway’s Karsten Warholm and Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos, with both men reaching the final barrier together, where a mistake from Warholm cost him victory, Dos Santos winning in a world lead of 46.63 to Warholm’s 46.70.

Meanwhile, Athletics Ireland has announced an additional 13 athletes on its team for the European Championships, which get under way at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday, June 7. The bulk of the Irish team was announced earlier this week with the additional names added based on their world ranking.

Israel Olatunde was among those to secure a spot and the 22-year-old will be hoping to reproduce the heroics of Munich two years ago, where he reached the 100m final and finished sixth. Louise Shanahan, who made the 800m final two years ago, has also been added while fellow Olympian Phil Healy has secured a spot in the 200m.

Ciara Mageean in the 1500m and Rhasidat Adeleke in the 400m look to be Ireland’s two leading medal hopes, though there will also be huge chances in the mixed 4x400m and women’s 4x400m.

Irish team: European Championships, Rome (June 7-12)

Rhasidat Adeleke, women’s 400m, women’s 4x400m, mixed 4x400m

Sharlene Mawdsley, women’s 400m, women’s 4x400m, mixed 4x400m

Sophie Becker, women’s 400m, women’s 4x400m, mixed 4x400m

Ciara Mageean, women’s 1500m

Sarah Healy, women’s 1500m

Sarah Lavin, women’s 100m hurdles

Andrew Coscoran, men’s 1500m

Brian Fay, men’s 5000m, 10,000m

Efrem Gidey, men’s 10,000m

Peter Lynch, men’s 10,000m

Cormac Dalton, men’s 10,000m