GREGAN STEALS THE SANTRY SHOW
CIARA MAGEEAN missed out on the sub-twominute barrier as Brian Gregan stole the show at the Morton Games. Mageean was on course to become the first Irish woman to break the magical barrier of two minutes for 800 metres before tying up badly in the final 100 metres. Britain’s Adelie Tracey won out in two minutes 1.59 seconds with New Zealand’s Angie Petty taking second place in two minutes 1.82 seconds. Mageean eventually stopping the clock at 2.02.20 to take third. ‘Yeah I’m happy with that but am a bit disappointed as you never want to come third,’ explained Mageean. ‘It was a better race than last year as there was a high calibre of athletes. ‘I felt good at 400 and I felt good at 600 so obviously the girls just got the better of me in the home straight. ‘I am racing girls I imagine who are going to be making finals at the World Championships.’ Gregan, racing on his home track of Santry stadium, brought the crowd to their feet as he posted a new personal best, winning the 400m in 45.26 seconds. Gregan powered around with an explosive kick in the final 200m, taking the tape in a new meet record, ahead of Brazilian Anderson Henriques in 46.51 seconds. ‘It wasn’t ideal conditions, but it was on my home track, the lads in Morton Stadium did a fantastic job in getting the place right,’ said a delighted Gregan (left). ‘This year I have really got my belief back.’ The Morton mile was won by Robert Domanic of the USA in a sub four-minute 3:56.67 with a dive over the line to hold off Australian Morgan McDonald, while Clare’s Sean Tobin became the latest Irish man to break four minutes. The pre-programme saw Sophie O’Sullivan emulate her mother Sonia by bringing the crowd to their feet when winning the Irish Milers club 800 metre race in 2:11.14.