Cragg and Gillick safely through

Athletics:Alistair Cragg and David Gillick kept their medal defences alive today on the first day of the European Indoor Championships in Birmingham.

Cragg was first up in the qualifying heats for the Mens 3000m.  He performed well to finish third in a time of 7:53.18. Cragg's main rival for his 3000m title, Jesus Espana from Spain, won the heat in a time of 7:52.50.

"I'm ready, I felt very good today," said Cragg. "I could have injected some pace at that point but didn't want to do that. Then one of the Spanish guys injected the pace anyway. The final will be a level playing field we will all be fresh and it's anyone's game."

Mark Carroll and Mark Christie were also in action in the 3000m heats but neither managed to advance to tomorrow's final. Carroll finished 20th (8:12.60) while Christie was 22nd (8:33.61).

David Gillick was next up as he went in the 400m heats.  The Dubliner cruised home in second in a time of 46.70. Gillick then went on to finish first in this evening's semi
final in a time of 46.16, again second overall behind German, Bastian Swillims. He lines out in tomorrow's final.

The Mens 800m heats saw both Thomas Chamney and David McCarthy in action.  Chamney finished a comfortable second (1:55.58) to qualify for the semi final tomorrow.  McCarthy, who wasn't expected to be in the team, put in an excellent performance to come home in third (1:49.60) in his heat and third fastest overall.

Deirdre Ryan was in action in the high jump but she failed to make the final as she could only clear 1.84.

Liam Hennessy, Chair of the High Performance Committee, was particularly pleased with the team's performance on the first day.  "It was a great first day for us.  Alistair Cragg and David Gillick both performed well and are in good shape for tomorrow's finals.

"There were also some excellent performances in the 800m from Thomas Chamney and in particular young David McCarthy, who everyone was surprised to see here, and they will both be confident of taking a final spot tomorrow," added Hennessy.

Tomorrow's action will see both Gillick and Cragg defend their titles in the finals of the 400m and 3000m respectively.  Anna Boyle will be in action in the heats of the 60m as will Paul Hession, while James Nolan, Gareth Turnbull and Liam Reale will all be running in the heats of the 1500m.

European Indoor Championships

Irish Results

Men 3000m Heats

Overall Placings
3rd Alistair Cragg 7:53.18 (Qualified for final)
20th Mark Carroll 8:12.60 (Did not qualify)
22nd Mark Christie 8:33.61 (Did not qualify)

Men 400m Heats
Overall Placings
2nd David Gillick 46.70 (Qualified for semi final)
 
Men 800m Heats
Overall Placings
3rd David McCarthy 1:49.60 (Qualified for semi final)
14th Thomas Chamney 1:55.58 (Qualified for semi final)

Women High Jump Qualifying Round
Deirdre Ryan 1.84 (Did not qualify)

Men 400m Semi Final
Overall Placings
2nd David Gillick 46.16 (Qualified for final)