Sarah Healy impresses in Rome as Irish men make world U20 4x400m final
Sarah Ireland’s Picture: ©inpho/morgan Healy Treacy
Sarah Healy produced another fine run at the Rome Diamond League tonight, the Dubliner putting the disappointment of the Paris Olympics behind her by clocking the second quickest time of her career, finishing eighth in the 1500m in 3:58.42.
The race was won by Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon in 3:52.89. Nick Griggs was in action over 5000m but it was a night to forget for the Tyrone teenager, who dropped out in a race won by Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet in 12:51.07.
Meanwhile at the World U-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, the Irish men’s 4x400m relay team of Conor Kelly, Adam Courtney, Sean Doggett and Stephen Mannion produced a superb performance to smash the national U-20 record, clocking 3:08.94 in their heat to finish third.
They will line up for the final in the early hours of Sunday morning Irish time (12.45am).
“Don’t count us out,” said Kelly. “We’re getting a medal – I’m not even messing.”
Doggett said he “couldn’t get out of bed” the previous day given his exploits in the mixed relay and individual 400m, but produced a fine run on the third leg.
“The job’s not finished,” he said. “We’ll give it our best shot. Top three is there for the taking.”
Mannion, who produced a blazing 46.57-second split on the final leg, said it was “some battle down the home straight” for the top-three positions and he was “so glad to be able to do it for the lads.”