Barr cruises into final at nationals
ATHLETICS:
Thomas Barr stepped back into the groove for his World Championships 400 metres hurdles bid with an easy passage to today’s final in the event at the Irish Life Health National Senior Track and Field Championships in Santry. Barr won his semi-final in a comfortable 51.33 seconds and said: ‘I’m feeling good, it’s good to be back racing. The body was good. I don’t want to sound cocky but I was taking that easy.’ Meanwhile, Michaela Walsh took a fine hammer bronze in the European Under 20 Championships in Grosseto, Italy. She was also seventh in the shot. In London Michael McKillop won his ninth World Para Athletics gold medal with victory in the T37 1,500m in 4:36.38.
GOLF:
Seamus Power has put himself in with a chance of a high finish after shooting a 64 in the third round of the Barbasol Championship in Alabama. The Waterford man had a flawless round with seven birdies to end on 11 under for the tournament. He set the early clubhouse lead with Rory Sabbatini of South Africa.
HOCKEY:
Ireland’s men’s team qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1990 after Alan Sothern’s goal was enough to beat New Zealand at the World League play-offs in Johannesburg. The Irish women still have a chance of qualifying after they beat India 2-1.
ROWING:
Ireland won two bronze medals at the World Under 23 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria yesterday. The men’s lightwight pair of David O’Malley and Shane Mulvaney and the men’s lightweight quad sculls were the successful boats.