Athletics: Derval O'Rourke got her European Championship campaign off to the perfect start this morning, easing into the semi-finals of the 100 metres hurdles.
The World Indoor champion over 60 metres ran well within herself in the opening heats, finishing second behind Aleksandra Antonova in a time of 13.03 seconds but qualified comfortably for tomorrow's second round.
Earlier, Roísín McGettigan narrowly missed out on a place in the 3,000m steeplechase final having finished fifth in her heat.
With just the first four automatically qualifying, the 26-year-old was unlucky to have run in the first, significantly slower heat. Knowing the pace to beat, all four fastest losers emerged from a second heat that featured Fionnuala Britton, who failed to qualify despite running a personal best.
In the 800 metres, both Dave Campbell and Chamney Thomas failed to progress from their heats. After setting the pace in his race Campbell slipped backwards in the sprint for the line, placing sixth in 1:48.70. Chamney, fifth in his competition in a time of 1min 50.12sec, also failed to progress.
Later this afternoon (4.40pm irish time), Alistair Cragg begins his quest for a medal. The 26-year-old goes into his 5000 metres heat as the fastest man in the field, although his form since running 13mins 8.97secs at the New York Grand Prix in June has been
erratic.
But the South-African born star has all of the required credentials to lift Ireland's first medal at the championships. Mo Farah will be one of his biggest rivals, the Somalian-born runner having become Britain's second fastest-ever performer with a mark of 13:09.40.