BARR IN FORM ON TIME FOR BERLIN

THOMAS BARR produced a rousing performance to claim his eighth straight 400m hurdles title at the Irish Life Health National Championships in Santry yesterday, the 26-yearold powering to victory in a championship record of 49.56. That brought him home well clear of Paul Byrne (51.37) and ignited hope he can claim a medal at next week’s European Championships in Berlin. ‘I’m really, really happy with that,’ said Barr. ‘I didn’t expect it to be as fast as it was but it bodes really well for next week.’ Barr will travel to Berlin ranked joint-third in the 400m hurdles. ‘I was ready to race fast and I feel like I’m only coming into form now,’ said Barr (right). Ciara Mageean also gave herself the perfect send-off by winning double gold in the 800m and 1500m. After a slow opening in the 800m final, Mageean seized command and kicked clear to win in 2:07.93, with Mary-Ann O’Sullivan second in 2:09.18. Just 70 minutes later, she was back on track facing a stiffer challenge in the 1500m, but she again won with ease in 4:22.47. ‘It couldn’t have been better,’ said Mageean. ‘I was doing two races so it was key to use it as a training stimulus. I wanted to practise a few different parts of my race and finishing races strong has been a key emphasis this year.’ Mark English also got back to winning ways with his sixth national title in the men’s 800m, the UCD athlete erasing fitness doubts and kicking to victory in 1:50.82. John Fitzsimons finished second in 1:51.05. Gina Akpe-Moses edged a tight women’s 100m final, the European U20 champion clocking 11.86 to beat Joan Healy in a photo finish by just two thousandths of a second, while after his 200m success on Saturday, Leon Reid added the 100m title in 10.42.