Mark English eases into 800m semi-final at European Championships, Cian McPhillips misses out
Irish athlete Mark English successfully advanced to the 800m semi-finals at the European Athletics Championships. Meanwhile, teammate Cian McPhillips was eliminated after struggling with a recent viral illness.
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Covers the performance of national athletes in a major international sporting event.
Mark English got Irish hopes off to the brightest possible start at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Monday, winning his 800m heat with ease and laying down his medal intentions.
The expectation that Cian McPhillips would then follow English into Wednesday’s semi-finals was dashed when he trailed home at the back of his heat to finish seventh, the Longford athlete appearing a pale shadow of himself after picking up a virus just under a week ago. His heat was won by Britain’s Max Burgin in 1:45.80.
McPhillips was unable to speak about his race afterwards, such was his distress. His coach, Joe Ryan explained that McPhillips felt the onset of the illness last Wednesday, and although hopeful he may have recovered in time, it was evident going around the top bend that he was well of his best.
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