Cian McPhillips out of the European Athletics Championships
Disappointing 7th place finish in a time of 1:46.84 in his 800m heat
There was disappointment for Cian McPhillips in the 800 metres at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Monday morning. It was a sub-par performance by his standards likely attributable to a virus he had over recent days.
The Ardagh native lined up in the fourth and final heat of the two lap event knowing that the first three finishers across the line were guaranteed a place in Wednesday’s semi-final.
Having positioned well in second place through the first 500m, Cian had no response as the pace picked up on the back straight with the other athletes moving past him before the final bend.
He went on to cross the finish line in a disappointing seventh place with a time of 1:46.84. in heat four.
Cian battled illness in the build-up to the European championships.
“I was sick all week, so that’s the first I ran in a week,” McPhillips told RTÉ Sport. “It was a virus, high temperature. I just couldn’t train and was in bed for a good bit of the week. I thought I’d be alright to give it a lash, which I did.
“I thought I went for it. I’m pretty disappointed, but it’s just what it is.”