Barr takes third in Belgium and sets a new Irish record

WATERFORD hurdler Thomas Barr set a new Irish 400-metre hurdles record at the IFAM meet in Belgium last night.

Barr clocked a time of 49.61 seconds for third, breaking Tom McGuirk’s 18-year-old record by nine-hundredths of a second and qualifying for August’s European Championships in Zurich.

‘I’m delighted with that,’ said Bar. ‘I didn’t start great but I worked through it and I’m thrilled to set a new national record.’

Britain’s Niall Flannery, one of the favourites for the European title, won out in 48.96 and Sebastian Roger took second in 49.51, just ahead of Barr.

‘I’m in touching distance of catching Flannery,’ insisted Barr.

‘It’s still early season and there’s a long way to go, I got a bottle of champagne for finishing third, that needs seeing too now,’ he concluded.