Commonwealth Games: Five local athletes have been in competition on Tuesday 10th April 2018…
Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games team captain Ciara Mageean’s brave bid for a medal in today’s (Tuesday 10th April 2018) 1500 metres final at the Commonwealth Games came up just short in a home straight scramble, which saw the Portaferry woman come home in 13th place.
Less than four seconds separated the 26-year-old from the podium as South Africa’s Caster Semenya cruised to gold in a Games record of 4:00.71 ahead of Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech and Wales’ Melissa Courtney.
But after sitting fifth at the bell, Mageean – with a time of 4:07.41 – was satisfied with her efforts.
“I went for it,” she said. “I’ve had a few races where I’ve trailed at the back and walked away extremely disappointed in my performance. My aim is to go out every time I wear a Northern Irish vest and give it my all on the track. I laid it all out there.”
Now Mageean will regroup for the semi-finals of the 800 metres in two days. “I’m taking it one race at a time,” she said. “My plan is to be back here on Thursday with my body recovered.”
Jack Agnew finished tenth in the T54 1500m final in 3:19.03 with gold won by Canada’s Alexandre Dupont. But the para world junior champion, 18, believes his Gold Coast trip will be a huge stepping stone.
“The atmosphere was unbelievable, I absolutely loved it,” he said. “But the race could have been better. There were a few knocks between the chairs. But I’m not going to complain. It’s my first major competition. I prepared well, so I’m happy. I’ve got used to competing in front of a big crowd. The noise in the heats was overwhelming. I’ll be more ready next time.”
Leon Reid eased into Wednesday’s men’s 200 metres semi-finals with a highly-comfortable second place in his heat in 20.73 seconds.
“I knew I could get second and so it was just a case of saving the legs for the semis,” the former European junior medallist said. “My training’s been going well so I just have to wait for the big one for come out. And obviously I’m looking for the final now. And then it’s whoever gets the best legs in the finals wins.”
Amy Foster bounced back from her efforts in the 100m to make the women’s 200m semis with fourth place in her heat in 23.94 secs.
“I wasn’t at 100% after the 100,” she admitted. “I haven’t run a 200 since last August so I just wanted to use the 200 to perform again. I had a little discomfort in my hamstrings and I felt it. But the 100m is my main thing. It’s easier to come out and do the 200. There’s no pressure. I just come out and run. It’s nice to have a second event and to qualify automatically.”
There was disappointment, however, for Adam McMullen in the long jump qualifying with the 27-year-old from Magherafelt only able to deliver a best of 7.66m to end up 14th with the longest effort at the last judged as a foul.
“I’m not sure what happened,” he said. “I felt like the heat was getting to me but jumping 7.70 has been my bread and butter this year and I didn’t manage it. I knew I could jump 7.70 if I went through the motions and ticked all the boxes. But when I saw the red flag on the final attempt, it broke my heart.”
A schedule for the Athletics NI team at the Commonwealth Games is available HERE.
Full results from the Commonwealth Games are available HERE.
