Gregan hits the ground running

Athletics:Brian Gregan topped off a highly encouraging start for the Irish team on the opening session of the European Championships by powering his way into the 400 metres semi-finals – and establishing himself as one of the medal favourites.

The 22 year-old from Tallaght, running in the first of five heats, took the win in 45.63 seconds – improving by .28 sec his lifetime best time set in Spain just two weeks ago, ending up the fastest qualifier on the day.

With seven disqualifications for lane infringements across the five heats – including the top two British hopes Richard Buck and Luke Lennon-Ford - Gregan now has every opportunity to claim a medal, although he will have to get through tomorrow’s semi-finals first.

“Delighted, yes,” he said. “And a little surprised. It felt easy on the home straight. I felt like I was flowing. I have been working on my technique a lot as well.”

Thomas Barr – still only 19 - looked equally impressive in qualifying for his semi-final of the 400 metres hurdles – running a season best of 50.59 to finish second in his heat, displaying considerable composure in the process.

But Jason Harvey just missed out, finishing fifth in his heat in 51.83, when fourth place progressed.

A little later a second member of the Barr family went through, when Jessie Barr – older sister of Thomas – took third in her heat of the 400m hurdles, clocking in 56.30.

Jason Smyth will be action later this evening in the 100m semi-final, after finishing fourth in his heat in a time of 10.47 – slightly disappointing given he’s still targeting the London A-standard of 10.18. However, Amy Foster failed to progress from her 100m heat, finishing seventh in 11.58, and ending up five places off qualifying.