Morning session: Mark English and Cian McPhillips make contrasting starts at European Championships

This evening, the focus will be on the men’s 5000m where Ireland has three representatives: Darragh McElhinney, Nick Griggs and Brian Fay.

Ireland’s Mark English during the Men’s 800m Round 1 heat. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Mark English and Cian McPhillips faced contrasting fortunes on the first morning of the European Championships in Birmingham today, with English coasting to victory in his 800m heat in 1:46.96 but McPhillips crashing out after finishing seventh in his heat in 1:46.84.

McPhillips’ coach, Joe Ryan, confirmed to the Irish Examiner that the Longford native had contracted a virus just under a week ago and it was a race against time to recover. “While he is on the pathway to recovery, it was just too soon for him to perform at his best,” said Ryan.