Lauren Roy and Rhasidat Adeleke were in semi-finals two and three of the women’s 200m, while Nicola Tuthill contested the women’s hammer final.

Fifth Place Finish for Nicola Tuthill

Sarah Tuthill started her women’s hammer final in fine fashion, throwing 70.30m with her first attempt.

This left the Irish thrower in third position after the completion of round one which was led by the reigning champion from Italy, Sara Fantini, with Beatrice Nedberge Llano from Norway was second with a throw of 72.88m.

Ranked 10th coming into the event and eventually finishing fifth was definitely a positive Nicola Tuthill will take away from the European Championships #rtesport #EuropeanAthletics pic.twitter.com/UaL15HgMmQ

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 12, 2026

In the second round, Tuthill dropped to fifth place, as Silja Kosonen, took the lead with 76.28m. Fantini was second with 73.45m, with Llano third with 72.88m and Anita Wlodarczyk moved into fourth position with a throw of 71.81m.

Despite a foul throw in the next round, Tuthill achieved a best throw of the final with 70.33m in round 4 – ensuring she went ahead to the last two rounds.

An effort of 69.57m in the fifth round was followed by 69.78m which left Tuthill in fifth place overall in the women’s hammer final.

Adeleke second fastest qualifier for 200m Final

Rhasidat Adeleke won her semi-final of the women’s 200m in a season’s best time of 22.43 seconds. Her time was the second fastest of all the qualifiers – behind Britain’s 100m European Champion, Amy Hunt, who stopped the clock at 22.37 seconds.

'Just having fun and enjoying the process has really brought me down to earth – now I'm just enjoying everything' – a content Rhasidat Adeleke on reaching the 200m final at the European Athletics Championships #rtesport #EuropeanAthletics pic.twitter.com/i9QbqeQrO8

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 12, 2026

Lauren Roy, who contested the 100m heats on Monday, finished fourth in the semi-final Amy Hunt won. Roy’s time of 23.16 seconds saw her ranked in 12th place overall, and as a result, did not proceed to the women’s 200m final.

Lauren Rory felt 'she really left it all out there' as she narrowly missed out on a place in the women's 200m final #rtesport #EuropeanAthletics pic.twitter.com/ABsGbBicpA

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 12, 2026

The post Adeleke in 200m Final, Roy out, with Tuthill 5th in Hammer appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Each festival offers distinctive racing conditions, competitive fields, and compelling storylines that keep enthusiasts engaged while helping shape the championship picture later in the season.

From Saratoga’s traditions to Del Mar’s coastal showcase, these events provide valuable opportunities to follow top-class racing while watching the sport’s leading horses progress toward the biggest races of the year. The following three racing festivals represent some of the most notable events to follow throughout the season and into the fall.

1. Saratoga Delivers Historic Summer Racing

July 3 – September 7

Few American racecourses carry the prestige of Saratoga Race Course. Opened in 1863, it remains one of the country’s most celebrated sporting venues, blending tradition with a summer schedule filled with elite competition. Racing fans return each year for its unique atmosphere, where history and modern championship racing meet on one of the sport’s most respected stages.

The lengthy Saratoga meet provides a steady stream of competitive racing across several weeks. Daily cards feature a balanced mix of maiden races, allowance contests, and graded stakes, giving followers countless opportunities to study evolving form. As horses continue progressing throughout the summer, fresh storylines emerge almost every racing day.

The biggest attractions are the Whitney Stakes and Travers Stakes, both drawing leading owners, trainers, and jockeys from across North America. Many horses arrive after strong spring campaigns, creating exceptionally deep fields. When reviewing 2026 Whitney Stakes picks, many racing enthusiasts compare recent Grade 1 performances, pace scenarios, and previous Saratoga form before assessing the race’s leading contenders.

Saratoga has also earned a reputation for producing memorable surprises. Heavy favorites have occasionally been denied by improving rivals capable of delivering career-best performances. That unpredictability adds another layer of intrigue, encouraging racing enthusiasts to examine every contender carefully as each summer festival unfolds.

Saratoga’s demanding schedule also rewards consistency from both horses and connections. Trainers who regularly target the meet often arrive with carefully planned campaigns, while experienced jockeys understand the track’s unique characteristics. Those familiar patterns provide additional context when evaluating contenders throughout the festival’s marquee races and daily cards.

2. Del Mar Anchors West Coast Action

July 17 – September 7

Set beside the Pacific Ocean, Del Mar offers one of the most distinctive settings in American racing. Its relaxed coastal atmosphere combines with high-quality competition to create a summer meeting that attracts fans from across the United States. The venue has become synonymous with premier West Coast racing and continues to host some of the season’s biggest events.

The meeting regularly welcomes accomplished horses from California, Kentucky, New York, and other major racing regions. These cross-country shippers introduce new form lines while creating fascinating matchups between horses that rarely meet elsewhere. Their arrival strengthens both stakes races and supporting cards throughout the festival.

The Pacific Classic stands as Del Mar’s signature event and one of the country’s leading Grade 1 dirt races. Many participants use it as an important stepping stone toward the Breeders’ Cup, making the race an early indication of autumn championship contenders. Elite older horses frequently arrive with impressive credentials earned throughout the first half of the season.

Del Mar’s relatively consistent racing surface also assists handicappers evaluating previous performances. Horses that have already demonstrated success under similar conditions often bring previous success under similar conditions into the meeting. Combined with established pace patterns and quality competition, that consistency makes Del Mar one of the summer’s most closely followed racing festivals.

3. The Breeders’ Cup Crowns the Racing Season

October 30 – 31

The Breeders’ Cup stands as the defining championship event in North American thoroughbred racing, bringing together many of the world’s best horses for two days of elite competition. Held at a different host venue each year, the festival features championship races across multiple divisions, from turf and dirt specialists to top-class sprinters, juveniles, and older horses. Success on this stage often shapes year-end Eclipse Award voting and can significantly influence a horse’s legacy within the sport.

What makes the Breeders’ Cup particularly compelling is the diversity of its fields. Champions from major American circuits regularly face accomplished international runners from Europe, Asia, and beyond, creating matchups rarely seen elsewhere during the season. Differences in racing styles, preferred surfaces, and tactical approaches often produce fascinating contests that reward adaptability as much as outright ability.

Preparation for the Breeders’ Cup begins months before the starting gates open. Horses typically qualify through the international “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series or arrive after strong performances in prestigious Grade 1 races throughout the year. Their form, recent competition, distance preferences, and experience on similar tracks all become important talking points as anticipation builds toward championship weekend.

The event also serves as the culmination of the racing calendar, with standout performances frequently defining careers and influencing future breeding value. Whether an established champion reinforces an already impressive résumé or an emerging contender announces itself on the biggest stage, the Breeders’ Cup consistently delivers races that resonate well beyond the final finish line, making it one of the sport’s most anticipated annual spectacles.

A Summer Calendar Worth Following

America’s leading racing festivals each contribute something unique to the season. Saratoga celebrates tradition with its historic Whitney and Travers Stakes, Del Mar showcases elite West Coast competition capped by the Pacific Classic, and the Breeders’ Cup brings the year to its championship climax with the sport’s best horses from around the world.

Together, these events showcase the depth, history, and variety that make American horse racing one of the sport’s most engaging calendars to follow. As horses continue building toward the year’s biggest championship races, these festivals remain key moments for fans to follow the stories, rivalries, and performances shaping the season.

The post 3 American Horse Racing Festivals Every Bettor Should Follow This Summer appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Clocking a time of 1:43.49, the Irishman broke a record that stood since 1978 as he comfortably took the second semi-final.

The six-time championship medallist was third as Italian Francesco Pernici led the field through the bell in 51.36 seconds, a faster time than the first semi-final.

Heading down the home straight, English found himself covered for a few seconds, before making his way through to lead as they headed for the line.

The 33-year-old looked at ease as he crossed the line despite the race taking place in 27 degrees.

The Finn Valley AC man qualified fastest for the final, with Briton Ben Pattison second in 1:43.72, and Corentin le Clezio of France third in 1:43.80.

The fastest of the eight qualifiers for Thursday night’s final at 8.28pm all came from English’s semi-final.

The post Mark English eases into 800m Final in CR time appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

For most elite athletes, retirement marks the end of one chapter. For Peter O’Mahony, it’s been the beginning of several.

After calling time on an outstanding rugby career in 2025, the former Munster captain and Ireland international has wasted little time building a portfolio that stretches far beyond the game. From launching businesses to stepping into television, O’Mahony’s post-rugby career highlights a mindset that’s just as disciplined away from the pitch.

Alongside his wife Jessica, O’Mahony recently launched søw-sé, a home and garden brand that has reportedly been five years in development. He’s also co-founded Active Brewing Company, a non-alcoholic beer brand, while making his television debut this year as a rugby pundit for Virgin Media Ireland.

It’s a varied schedule that requires organisation, planning and attention to detail. Traits that helped define his rugby career continue to shape his life after sport.

That same philosophy is reflected in his partnership with Irish storage specialist RackZone.

Based in Ballinasloe, County Galway, RackZone has become one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of garage storage, shelving, workbenches and workspace solutions. O’Mahony has spoken about the importance of keeping everything in its place, with his own garage featuring heavy-duty shelving, organised storage and a dedicated workstation that mirrors the disciplined approach he became known for throughout his playing career.

While many people associate storage solutions with warehouses or commercial premises, they’re increasingly becoming an essential part of home businesses, workshops, garages and home gyms. RackZone’s range includes garage shelving, workbenches, storage boxes, plastic lockers, steel lockers and adjustable standing desks, helping homeowners and professionals create organised workspaces that improve productivity.

O’Mahony isn’t the only elite Irish sportsman relying on organisation behind the scenes.

RackZone’s other sporting ambassador, James Deane, has enjoyed one of the biggest months of his remarkable motorsport career.

The Cork driver, already a five-time Formula Drift champion and seven-time European Drift champion, recently made his FIA European Rallycross Championship debut at Mondello Park. Competing against vastly more experienced rallycross drivers with just four practice laps under his belt, Deane secured an impressive second-place finish in his class.

Speaking after the event, he admitted the podium exceeded expectations.

“To be on the podium is better than I could have hoped.”

The achievement came shortly after another landmark moment.

Earlier this summer, Deane won Round 4 of the Formula Drift PRO Championship at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut, leading an historic all-Irish podium alongside Jack Shanahan and Conor Shanahan. The victory moved him to the top of the championship standings as he continues his pursuit of a sixth Formula Drift title.

Like O’Mahony, preparation happens long before the spotlight arrives.

Behind the scenes, Deane’s workshop is built around organisation, with RackZone shelving and workstation systems helping keep tools, components and equipment exactly where they’re needed.

Whether it’s preparing a Formula Drift car or building a successful business after professional sport, the same principle applies.

Everything has its place.

As more Irish homeowners, businesses and workshop owners look to maximise their available space, organised storage has become less about tidiness and more about efficiency, productivity and getting the most from every square metre.

RackZone delivers across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with next working day delivery available on eligible orders placed before 3pm, Monday to Thursday. The company is also rated Excellent on Trustpilot, serving thousands of customers looking to create more organised homes, workshops and workplaces.

The post Peter O’Mahony’s Retirement Shows Elite Performance Doesn’t End When the Final Whistle Blows appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Sophie Becker qualified for the women’s 400m semi-finals at the Alexander Stadium when she became the first of the Irish athletes in action on Wednesday morning.

Competing in Round 1 Heat 1 of the women’s 400m, the 29-year-old ran a season’s best time of 52.28 seconds in finishing third.

With the 13 fastest qualifiers across all heats progressing to the semi-finals, the European silver medallist from the women’s 4 x 400m relay in Rome in 2024 had to wait until the conclusion of heats to see if she would qualify for Thursday’s semi-finals.

Sophie Becker wasn’t entirely convinced that her 400m heat time was enough for a semi-final place, but with her spot secure, she’s looking to build on that first performance. pic.twitter.com/60TnJc3mVu

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 12, 2026

After the second heat, Becker was in seventh place, and following the running of heat three, she was in 13th position, with 13 qualifiers going forward to tomorrow’s semi-finals at 12.45pm.

Lauren Roy, who competed in the 100m heats on Monday, was back in action on Wednesday morning when taking to the start line for heat 1 of the women’s 200m.

Lauren Roy finishes fourth in her 200m heat in a time of 23.20. She’ll have to have to wait and see if that time is good enough to progress to the semi-finals.

Watch all the action here https://t.co/bCe53VfDsj. pic.twitter.com/zAsI4uLB8R

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 12, 2026

Running in lane 9, Roy finished third in a time of 23.20 seconds, outside of her season’s best of 22.79 seconds which she ran in Texas in May.

Lauren Roy has secured her place in the 200m semi-final at the European Championships and she’s looking to improve further on her time when she competes this evening. pic.twitter.com/mPyIpJsDVB

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 12, 2026

With 12 athletes qualifying from the three heats, Roy finished sixth overall, and will now join Rhasidat Adeleke, who received a bye, in tonight’s semi-finals which will get underway at 8.20pm.

The post Becker & Roy qualify for semi-finals in Birmingham appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The GAA Rounders Championship reaches the business end this weekend, with ten All-Ireland semi-finals across Galway and Monaghan and places in the Intermediate and Senior finals up for grabs.

Saturday sees all six Intermediate semi-finals played in Galway, before attention switches to the Monaghan GAA Centre of Excellence in Cloghan on Sunday for the four Senior Men’s and Women’s semi-finals.

The Senior games bring an additional challenge, with all Senior semi-finals and finals played over seven innings.

There are obvious favourites across the weekend, but there are also several games that look far closer than the league tables might suggest.

Here is the SportsNewsIreland match-by-match preview and predictions.

Intermediate Women

Galway City Rapparees v Inniskeen Grattans – 12pm

Galway City Rapparees come into the first semi-final as favourites after topping their group, but they will be without Laura Salvatore and Cat Carty, two significant absentees from their women’s side.

Even allowing for those losses, Galway should still have enough.

The season statistics strongly favour Rapparees. They have scored 96 runs compared with Inniskeen’s 69, but the bigger difference is defensively: Galway have conceded just 17 runs across four games, compared with Inniskeen’s 49.

Katie Jessop gives Galway a strong option pitching, while Clodagh Naughton, Hazel Kilduff and Eimear Cuddy bring serious speed around the bases. If Inniskeen struggle to make outs on base, Galway have exactly the type of runners capable of punishing them.

Inniskeen’s major weapon is Julianne Smith. Her fast pitching regularly produces foul outs and Galway will have to be disciplined at the bat. Back catcher Catherine Deery, along with Siobhán Cunningham and Carol McKeown, gives Inniskeen plenty of quality in the field.

Galway are weakened, but their overall batting, fielding and base-running should still see them through.

Castletown Liam Mellows v Elphin – 2pm

This is probably the hardest Intermediate semi-final of the weekend to call.

There is also history between them. Saturday is a rematch of last year’s Junior semi-final at the same venue and on the same pitch, when Elphin came out on top.

Castletown have been the stronger batting side this year, scoring 86 runs compared with Elphin’s 63, while there is very little between them defensively.

Mandy Callanan has been consistently strong pitching for Castletown, Sarah Kavanagh is a major presence at Second Base and Edel Coade Morris has been excellent at Short Stop.

Elphin recovered brilliantly from a difficult start to their first Intermediate season, winning their remaining games after a heavy opening defeat to Galway. Áine McDermott, Ciara Butler and Georgina McDermott provide a reliable defensive spine, while twins Katie and Kirsten Cronin can do real damage with the bat and running the bases.

There really isn’t much between them. I just have a feeling Castletown reverse last year’s result.

Intermediate Mixed

Emo v Erne Eagles – 12pm

This could be a cracker.

It is a repeat of the 2025 Intermediate Mixed All-Ireland Final, which Erne Eagles won by just a single run.

Statistically, Emo have the advantage this time. They have scored 71 runs from 14 innings compared with Eagles’ 57 from 17, while Emo have also conceded fewer runs.

Emo already have a strong combination of youth and experience, with Liam Horgan and Dan White around home base and the likes of JP Tynan, Barry Ryan, Claire Suda, Catherine O’Keeffe and Gillian Keenan throughout the team.

Then there is the Aaron Keane factor.

The former Heath player recently transferred to Emo and could make a significant difference if selected. His addition gives Emo even more quality in a game that already looks extremely tight.

Eagles, however, have something that is difficult to quantify: knockout experience.

Karl Dolan is consistently strong pitching, Gerard Clerkin is a huge presence at Short Stop and Owen Roe O’Reilly is capable of producing catches that can completely change an innings.

If Eagles arrive fully loaded, I think this becomes a toss-up. Emo’s numbers are better, and Aaron Keane potentially makes them stronger again, but Eagles know exactly how to win these games.

Galway City Rapparees v Dublin Metropolitans – 4pm

The hosts enter this one with a perfect record, having topped their group with four wins from four, while Dublin Metropolitans qualified with two wins and two defeats.

Galway’s biggest strength is their depth.

Their Mixed team can draw on players from the club’s Senior Men’s and Intermediate Women’s panels, giving them plenty of options. Vishal Pathare, Cathal Creaven, Pakie Killilea, Rory McGarvey, Clodagh Naughton and Tomás Kenny are among the players capable of influencing the game.

Dublin are dangerous, particularly through players such as Beau and Asa Carley, and one interesting selection question surrounds Jack Cheyne.

If Dublin Metropolitans have Cheyne back and available to pitch, it significantly increases their chances. Having a quality pitcher capable of controlling home base can change the entire complexion of a knockout game, and his presence would give Galway a much tougher test.

If Dublin are without him, however, I still expect Galway to have too much strength across the field and come through with a fairly comfortable victory.

Intermediate Men

Kilmore v St Clare’s – 2pm

There is already a useful form line between these teams.

They met in July and Kilmore won 21–14, with pitcher Aidan Carr playing a huge role. Seven of Kilmore’s 15 outs involved Carr, whose pace and accuracy caused St Clare’s problems throughout the game.

James Jamieson was also excellent behind the batter, while Kevin White and Oisín Boland give Kilmore further quality in the field.

St Clare’s certainly have enough to make this competitive. PJ Kelly took six catches for outs in that previous meeting, while Darragh Johnston, Bryan Dolan and Jason Cawley are all capable of influencing the game.

Across the season Kilmore have scored more runs despite batting fewer innings, and they have already shown they can beat this opposition.

Emo v St Senan’s – 4pm

The league positions make Emo look like the obvious choice. Their previous meeting says otherwise.

When these teams met in July, it finished 14–14.

St Senan’s have also beaten both St Clare’s and Kilmore this season, so they have already proved they can compete with the strongest teams at this level.

Where Emo have the clear advantage is defensively. They have conceded fewer runs, while their young pitcher/catcher combination of Liam Horgan and Dan White has been excellent.

JP Tynan and Barry Ryan add experience to the Emo field, while St Senan’s will look to John Paul Mulvihill and Niall Sheehy around home base and John Hanlon, Ian Sheehy and Kevin Doody elsewhere.

Their draw earlier in the season tells you this isn’t going to be straightforward, but Emo’s defensive strength should eventually make the difference.

Senior Women

Breaffy v Erne Eagles – 1pm

Here comes the shock prediction of the weekend.

Everything on paper says Breaffy.

The four-in-a-row All-Ireland champions went unbeaten through the league and are chasing an extraordinary fifth consecutive title. They have conceded just 31 runs all season, compared with Erne Eagles’ 78.

Michelle Hopkins and Katie Groonell give Breaffy huge experience around home base, but there really aren’t many weak points anywhere in this side.

They know how to win Senior knockout games better than anyone.

So why Eagles?

Because they have enough batting and fielding quality to make this chaotic if they can stay with Breaffy early. Eagles are no strangers to the latter stages of the Championship themselves, and Lisa Flood gives them a powerful presence in the outfield.

Over seven innings, Breaffy are capable of punishing any poor spell brutally. Eagles need to avoid giving them one huge innings and turn the game into a battle.

Breaffy are deserved favourites. I’m going against virtually every statistic anyway.

Carrickmacross Emmets v Limekiln – 1pm

Carrickmacross deserve huge credit for reaching the Senior semi-finals in their first season after promotion.

They recovered from losing their opening game to Breaffy to record a string of important wins and establish themselves as genuine Senior contenders.

But Limekiln have already beaten them this season.

Serena Costelloe was central to that victory, while the additions of Erica Meslin, Merilin Neiland and Colette McCaul have added considerable Senior experience to Limekiln.

Carrick will know far more about what they’re facing this time and should make it competitive, but seven innings against an experienced Limekiln team is a big challenge.

Senior Men

Erne Eagles v Galway City Rapparees – 3pm

Whatever happens on Sunday, this is a significant moment for Galway City Rapparees.

In their first season playing Senior Rounders, the Galway club have reached their first-ever Senior Men’s All-Ireland semi-final.

Unfortunately for them, their reward is Erne Eagles.

Eagles topped the Senior table and have conceded only 28 runs all season. Having narrowly lost last year’s All-Ireland final to Carrickmacross, they look like a side with unfinished business.

This is where seven innings becomes important.

Galway have shown they can compete at Senior level and have enough athleticism and batting ability to cause Eagles problems. But doing it for seven innings against one of the most experienced teams in the country is an entirely different challenge.

For Rapparees, the key is staying within touching distance. If Eagles are allowed one huge innings early, chasing the game against their fielding is going to be extremely difficult.

Galway have already exceeded plenty of expectations by getting this far in year one at Senior and why not think they can get eagles to extra innings

Carrickmacross Emmets v Breaffy – 3pm

This could be the game of the Senior Men’s semi-finals.

Carrickmacross are the defending All-Ireland champions and have years of experience in exactly this environment. Breaffy are another side packed with Senior experience and capable of beating anyone when they get going.

This is the type of game where seven innings should suit both teams. There is time to recover from a poor opening, but equally, one big innings from either side could completely change the contest.

Carrick have shown repeatedly that they know how to manage big Championship games, and that counts for plenty at this stage of the season.

Breaffy will push them, but I fancy the defending champions to create separation in the latter innings.

Ten semi-finals, six Intermediate finalists to be decided on Saturday and four Senior finalists on Sunday.

There are safer predictions on the card, but the one I’m putting my neck on the line for is in the Senior Women’s Championship.

Erne Eagles to beat Breaffy and end the champions’ drive for five in a row.

If that one comes in, don’t say you weren’t warned.

The post GAA Rounders All-Ireland Semi-Finals 2026 appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Sophie Becker will contest the opening round of the women’s 400m at 11.05am.

Lauren Roy, who contested the 100m on Monday, will compete in the women’s 200m, with the competition beginning at 11.40am. Rhasidat Adeleke has receive a bye into the semi-finals so will not be in action until tonight.

Mark English, who won his round one heat on Monday, will contest the semi-finals of the men’s 800m at 12.20pm.

Nicola Tuthill will be the first Irish competitor in action during the evening session when she contests the women’s hammer final, timed for 7.45pm.

Depending on results in the morning session, Lauren Roy will hopefully join Rhasidat Adeleke in the line-up for the semi-finals of the women’s 200m at 8.20pm.

Day Three – Morning Session – Wednesday, 12th August

Sophie Becker – Women’s 400m – Round One – 11.05am

Lauren Roy – Women’s 200m – Round One – 11.40am

Mark English – Men’s 800m – SF – 12.20pm

Day Three – Evening Session – Wednesday, 12th August 

Nicola Tuthill – Women’s Hammer Throw – Final – 7.45pm

Rhasidat Adeleke – Women’s 200m – SF – 8.20pm

Lauren Roy – Women’s 200m – SF – 8.20pm

The post Birmingham 2026: Day 3 Timetable for Irish Athletes appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Irish interest was in the women’s 500m final where Sarah Healy finished in fourth place behind Nadia Battocletti of Italy, Spain’s Marta Garcia and another Italian, Micol Majori.

Bence Halász of Hungary won the men’s hammer throw with a best effort of 84.25m with his fifth effort. It was a new National Record and a World Leading throw in 2026 for the 29-year-old.

Silver went to Merlin Hummel of Germany. His best throw of 81.30m also came in the fifth round.

Gold again for Tentoglou of Greece

Narrow margin win for Visser

British 1-2 in men’s 100m final

The post Video: Day 2 Highlights from Birmingham appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

With Dublin Sarah Healy just missing out a medal when finishing fourth earlier in the evening, Bori Akinola finished in fourth place in semi-final one of the men’s 100m in 10.38 seconds.

Akinola, who was part of the Men’s 4x100m relay team at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, won his 100m heat earlier this morning.

Disappointed after coming so close to making a European 100m final but Bori Akinola can reflect on what has been his ‘most consistent year’ of performance #rtesport #EuropeanAthletics #Birmingham2026
@ pic.twitter.com/iqRHzTbYWm

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 11, 2026

While this evening’s time of 10.38 seconds left him with a slight chance of progressing to the final, both of the other semi-finals were faster, moving Akinola down to 16th place overall, and out of the competition.

In the third semi-final, Israel Olatunde running in lane nine, finished in seventh place, in 10.49 seconds. His time left him in 20th place overall after the three semi-finals, meaning the UCD graduate didn’t make the 100m Final either later this evening.

“It’s been an interesting year for me with injuries one after another, but I wanted to come here and compete and do my best,” Olatunde told RTÉ Sport. “I feel like I did that today. It wasn’t enough, but I’m really proud of myself and the journey I’ve been on this season.”

Olatunde will be back for the men’s 4 x 100m relay on Saturday.

After an injury-interrupted year so far Israel Olatunde told David Gillick that he was glad he could ‘compete’ after finishing seventh in the 100m semi-final #EuropeanAthletics #Birmingham2026 #rtesport@RTE2 @RTEplayer pic.twitter.com/UIhdJSuzzN

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 11, 2026

Jack Raftery, competing in the men’s 400m, could only manage seventh place in the second of three semi-finals of the event. His time meant the DCU Masters student finished in 21st position overall, and as a result, did not progress to the final.

The Donore Harriers’ man will compete in the men’s 4 x 400m relays on Friday.

Jack Raftery taking some satisfaction in giving it a real go in the Men’s 400m semi-finals as he spoke to @DavidGillick #rtesport #EuropeanAthletics #Birmingham2026@RTE2 @RTEplayer pic.twitter.com/n11G9VRfOH

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 11, 2026

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The race was won by Italian Nadia Battocletti, the world number 5 ranked 5000m female runner, who spreadeagled the 23-runner field in the final 200m to stop the clock at 15:37.84. Marta García from Spain took the silver medal with a time of 15:39.38 – a season’s best for her, while Italy also claimed the bronze through Micol Majori in 15:40.65.

Battocletti’s victory adds to a growing list of medals for the 26-year-old, who already had Olympic and World Championships silver medals, World Indoor gold and two European golds prior to this evening’s success.

A case of what might have been for Sarah Healy, with ‘a little bit of inexperience’ she told @DavidGillick after finishing fourth in the 5,000m final at the #EuropeanAthletics #rtesport @RTE2 @RTEplayer pic.twitter.com/yaHGOKvhLO

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 11, 2026

Dubliner Healy returned to track action in June, having missed the 2026 indoor season. She broke her own 5000m best time at the Diamond League meeting in Rome when running 14:48.88.

“I will try and stay positive but it’s hard finishing fourth. I’ve never really come that close before so it’s frustrating. It’s hard to be so close but it was a tough race and hard running. I think I could have been a bit stronger in the last 200m. I really thought I could fight for the bronze.

“It’s only my second 5k and I still find it really hard to judge. In the 1500m I know exactly how to race but this is still tough for me to get a gauge on.

“It was crazy because I actually heard more cheers for me than for anyone else, even the British girls. It feels more like a home champs. Irish athletes always have this kind of support wherever we go. We’re so lucky.”

While she will be disappointed to finish just outside the medals, the UCD AC athlete will return to the track on Saturday for the first round of the 1500m.

The post “It’s hard to be so close” for Sarah Healy appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.