Ciara Mageean is due to go in search of her second European Championship medal in the 1500m final set for 7.45pm (Irish time). The 2016 bronze medalist will take to the start in today's medal decider having looked imperious in her semi-final which she dominated from gun to tape.
Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
The City of Lisburn star will have to face up against a quality field however, including Olympic silver medallist Laura Muir (GBR) who Mageean finished second to in the recent Commonwealth Games 1500m final earlier this month.
There is no shortage of athletes who will have eyes on the medals, and even though championship races can be tactical affairs, it will be no surprise if Mageean has to challenge Sonia O’Sullivan’s national 1500m record of 3.58.85 to get onto her second podium of the month.
DAY 5: FRIDAY 19TH🇮🇪
✨9.00am Men’s 4x100m Heat 1: Team Ireland
✨9.50am Women’s 800m Semi-Final 1: Louise Shanahan
✨10.51am: Women’s 4x400m Heat 2: Team Ireland
✨7.34pm Men’s 800m Semi-Final 2: Mark English
✨7.45pm Women’s 1500m Final: Ciara Mageean#Munich2022 pic.twitter.com/dnouLPmYsH— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 18, 2022
Irish eyes will be focused on the 800m semi-finals from an individual perspective, with Louise Shanahan set to return to the track for her second appearance of the week.
Louise Shanahan moved up another level again this season, backing up her Olympic qualification to become Ireland’s fastest ever women over 800m earlier this year. Shanahan’s semi-final is stacked with quality however, with half of the 8-runner-field boasting personal bests under 1.59.00, including gold medal favourite Keely Hodgkinson (GBR) who has clocked a 1.56.38 this season.
💥IT'S A EUROPEAN 800M FINAL FOR LOUISE SHANAHAN💥
Louise Shanahan has run the race of her life to secure a place in Saturday's 800m final!! The Leevale athlete finished 3rd to secure automatic qualification in a quality field🙌🇮🇪
⏱️2.01.15
ℹ️Result: https://t.co/HsYvKv9Dvf pic.twitter.com/gyU2mDHPa1— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 19, 2022
DAY 5: FRIDAY 16TH
Team Ireland European Championships
(Times listed in Irish Time)
- 9.50am Women’s 800m Semi-Final 1: Louise Shanahan
- 10.51am: Women’s 4x400m Heat 2: Team Ireland
- 7.45pm Women’s 1500m Final: Ciara Mageean
