Athletics: English and Gregan victorious in Finland

Individual victories from Mark English and Brian Gregan helped seal Ireland’s European Team Championships First League status in Vaasa, Finland over the weekend, although they finished some way off contention for promotion to the top-flight Super League.

Finishing eighth among the 12 nations, with the top three promoted, Ireland actually ended up ranked 20th overall among European nations, their lowest placing since 2011, when they ended up 22nd – the lack of points in the field events being the main shortcoming.

Still, English looked impressive winning a tactical 800m in 1:49.02, holding off the experienced Andres Bube from Switzerland, who locked 1:49.14, and on Saturday, Gregan won the 400m in 45.83.

Amy Foster took second in the women’s 100m in 11.70 and then helped the Irish team to second overall in the 4x100m relay, having won their heat in 44.80.

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Hopes for another victory from Thomas Barr in the 400m hurdles didn’t materialise as he faded to fifth in a high quality 400m hurdles in 49.73, won by Norway’s star Karsten Warholm in a championship record of 48.46 – Barr later complaining of a little fatigue.

Marcus Lawlor also pulled up injured in the 100m final, though still got himself over the finish line to earn the points.

It left Ireland with 238 points, just behind Romania, and ahead of Belgium, with Sweden, Finland and Switzerland all earning promotion.