Gillick wins gold in Birmingham

Athletics: David Gillick put in a storming run to secure gold and successfully defend his 400m European Indoor title but there…

Athletics: David Gillick put in a storming run to secure gold and successfully defend his 400m European Indoor title but there was huge disappointment for Alastair Cragg in Birmingham this afternoon.

Gillick set a new national record of 45.52seconds which is also the fastest time in Europe this year.

The Balinteer runner looked strong all through his heats and in the final he had to get past Germany's Bastain Swillims on the final bend. The German had set the pace throughout but didn't have the finish to match Gillick's burst to the line.

Sweden's Johan Wissman and Gillick had a physical encounter as they jostled for places in the early stages before Gillick edged ahead on the narrow track. The Swede was pipped at the line for third by Britain's Robert Tobin.

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Earlier on the schedule Cragg's defence of the 3000m title failed to materialise after what turned out to be a 400m burn up before he eventually finished sixth in a time of 8.03.70.

Paul Hession progressed to the final of the 60m by finishing fourth in his semi-final in a time of 6.64. He set a new Irish record in his heat earlier in the day (6.61).

Anna Boyle, after breaking her own 60m national record in the heats, finished sixth (7.36) and missed out on a place in the final.

In the men's 800m semi-final David McCarthy put in a solid performance to come home in fourth (1.49.37) while Thomas Chamney finished fifth in his semi-final (1.50.48) but both missed out on a place in the tomorrow's final.

James Nolan and Liam Reale finished fourth (3.43.57) and ninth (3:47.94) respecticely in the 1500m. It meant Nolan advanced to the final but Reale missed out.  Gareth Turnball (3:52.20) also missed out on a place in the final.