Belfast's Colm McLean won through to tomorrow's final of the 1,500 metres at the World Junior Athletics championships in Annecy, France, yesterday.
McLean finished third in his heat after Spanish title hopeful Yousseff el Massri was disqualified for pushing.
McLean, who clocked three minutes 49.64 seconds, was well pleased with a performance which was tactically perfect if lacking in finishing speed.
In the girls' 200 metres, Moscow Youth Games sprint double winner Emily Maher and senior national champion Ciara Sheehy (carrying a cold) reached the second round. But both failed to survive the quarter-finals, finishing in 24.28 seconds and 24.71 seconds respectively.
"I ran a brilliant bend," said Maher, "but lost out on the straight. It is disappointing, but I have got another two years to go."
Co Antrim-based Michael Allan failed to reach the javelin final. His qualifying round best of 59.55 metres was seven metres down on his personal best which would have seen him into tomorrow's final.
