Cian McPhillips smashed his 800 metre indoor personal best as he grabbed the 2021 European Indoor qualifying standard in Dublin.
18-year-old McPhillips finished second behind Mark English at the Irish Life Health Elite Athlete Indoor Micro Meet at the National indoor arena as both men broke the national 800m record.
Longford man McPhillips powered back in the home straight to finish behind the three time European medallist in a lean to the line, McPhillips posting one minute 46.13 seconds.
English was given 1:46.10 by the electric timing setting a new national record with both men inside the qualifying standard of 1:48.25 for next month’s European indoor championship in Torun, Poland.
?New National 800m Record of 1:46:10 for @markenglish_ in a stunning finish with Cian McPhillips (1:46:13)?
Both men well inside European Indoor standard of 1:48:25 ??
What a race!!https://t.co/raTXnSjDRh pic.twitter.com/zNi3X4QuOT
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) February 20, 2021
For the record Kildare’s John Fitzsimons finished third in 1:47.80.
McPhillips must now wait until Monday to see if he makes the European indoor championship with the champions taking place between March fifth to seventh.
One year ago, young Cian McPhillips from my home County Longford won the Millrose Games High School mile. Today he ran under the Irish senior 800m record 1.46.18. And he is still 18! https://t.co/oddUNp0Sby
— RayPFlynn (@RayPFlynn) February 20, 2021
Meanwhile, Ger O’Donnell came short in his bid to make next month’s European indoor championship, having finished second in race one posting 8.07 seconds and clutching his calf afternoon. Matthew Behan won out in 8.00.
O’Donnell reversed the table in the second race an hour later winning out in 7.95 seconds, but missing out on the European Indoor standard of 7.80 seconds. Behan posted 7.99 seconds in race two.
@Gerard_OD_ reverses the placings from series 1 of the 60m Hurdles as both men dip under 8 seconds.
?Gerard O’Donnell 7.95
?Matthew Behan 7.99Session 2 gets underway at 4:10 with the Women’s 1500m??https://t.co/raTXnSBffR pic.twitter.com/ViWvfcTFZe
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) February 20, 2021
