O’Flaherty 12th in European Championships Final in Amsterdam

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O’Flaherty leads the Irish trio heading out on the final lap.

On Sunday,11th July, the final day of the 2016 European Championships in Amsterdam, Newcastle & District AC’s Kerry O’Flaherty was one of three Irish women making history – the first time three Irish women had qualified for the final in a major track & field championship event.

In blustery conditions but sunny and warm (25C), compared to the rain and colder conditions during the heat on Friday, O’Flaherty lines up in the 15-strong final have coming into the Championships ranked 27th our of 27 starters based on season’s bests. She ran a very solid and encouraging race coming home in 9:45.88 only a third of a second slower that in the heat on Friday. Frustratingly though 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th places all ran in the 9:45s and she came away disappointed not to have secured 9th place in the blanket finish. Nonetheless having started the season with 9:59 and 9:58 in the first two races, she should be delighted to run twice in the 9:45s in three days.

She awaits word now of Olympic Games selection following the closure of the window on 11th July. All pictures courtesy of Keith McClure.