O’Donnell bows out at semi-final stage

ON the track going into the European Championships in Munich this week there were high expectations for Ireland’s top-ranked athlete Chris O’Donnell from Grange who had been showing great form this season.

Based on his top 12 ranking O’Donnell had a bye into the semi-finals based on his ranking.

However, ultimately the 400m semi-final proved extremely fast and saw him exit the championships.

O’Donnell ran a time of 45.73.

Tuesday morning’s race was won by Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson (44.98) with Ricky Petrucciani of Switzerland finishing in second place in a time of 45.55.

Going into Munich the Grange athlete ran four times in the Worlds in Oregon, twice in the 4x400m relay and again in the 400m where he recorded a pair of identical 46.01s.

Less than two months ago he ran a PB with a 45.26 in the Estadio Vallehermoso in Madrid.

Athletics Ireland praised Chris for a fantastic year - “It’s been a whirlwind 12 months for the Olympic and World relay finalist and he will be back.”

His local North Sligo AC posted how all at the club were “super-proud of Christopher”.