Two more medals for Ireland at European U23 Championships in Norway
On the final day of competition in Bergen, 10000m champion Thompson climbed the podium again after finishing third in the 5000m and Maher medalled in the 1500m.
Maher clocked 4:09.54 as she delivered a tactical masterclass and ran the race of her life in her first track championship for Ireland.
'I'm lost for words right now, I'm still processing it all,' the 24-year-old said said.
Advertisement
'I was vomiting before the heats, I was so nervous, this was my first track champs. . . I worked for this, I wanted this, and I think I tried to enjoy it a lot more today, but it was easier because I had done it before. I'm absolutely delighted.'
Turkey's Dilek Kocak won in 4:08.79, while Adele Gay of France took silver.
Thompson, who became just the second ever Irish athlete to top the podium at the European U23 championships with 10000m glory on Friday, added to her medal haul in the 5000m. She ran 15:56.80, having hit the front early and led until 800m to go.
'I'm really quite tired, but I'm actually really happy,' said Thompson. 'I love having a race where I can give it my all and that was one of the hardest ones I have run, and I just love to leave it out there on the track.
'It's the joy I have of the sport of running, whether I win or lose, the greatest thing is that I'm healthy and I get to do this, I have a big smile on my face.
'My goal today was of course to get the double gold, but If I go for gold and I might end up with a bronze, so always go for the win and see where you end up after that.'
Meanwhile, the men's 4x400m squad of Andrew Egan, Callum Baird, Joe Doody and David Mannion clocked a new national U23 record of 3:06.31 as they finished fifth.
The women's 4x400m squad broke the national U23 record, clocking 3:34.81, and the men's 4x100m squad went close to doing similar in 39.83. Major championships debutant Anna Gavigan placed eighth in the discus with a best throw of 51.16m.
Athletics Ireland heralded this as the most successful U23 European championship ever with five medals won, along with a 14th-place finish on the medal table. Nicola Tuthill (hammer throw silver) and Nick Griggs (5000m silver) were the other Irish medallists.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
RTE and BBC confirm star-laden punditry teams for All-Ireland football final between Kerry & Donegal
KERRY versus Donegal will pit some of the biggest names in Gaelic football against one another - and the same can be said for the BBC and RTE's punditry teams. The on-pitch focus will centre on how Advertisement 3 Wicklow manager Oisin McConville is the longest tenured expert the BBC have in their ranks Credit: Sportsfile 3 He and Dublin great Paul Flynn used to be a double-act on the Second Captains podcast Credit: Sportsfile 3 Flynn, Enda McGinley and Cora Staunton will be among those to join Jacqui Hurley on Sunday night Credit: Sportsfile But the unveiling of each broadcaster's starting line-up has added further star power to Sunday's looming thriller. First up, the national broadcaster's coverage will see presenter Joanne Cantwell joined by Tomás Ó Sé, Peter Canavan and Lee Keegan for pre and post-match analysis. Like the semi-final between Meath and Donegal, Damian Lawlor It'll be Darragh Maloney and Advertisement Read More On GAA The programme will begin on RTE One from 2:15pm with it running until 6pm. The reason for it not being on on RTE Two like usual is that the Women's Euros final It's worth noting that there will be an Irish-language option available through the RTE News channel from 2:55pm. For the BBC, Thomas Niblock will be chairing the discussion between Oisin McConville, Philly McMahon, Conor McManus, Mickey Harte, Owen Mulligan and Brendan Devenney. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Who knows whether the game itself will go to extra-time but Niblock and Harte will certainly will be doing double-time as they'll also provide the commentary. Additionally, they've recruited Sharlene Mawdsley takes part in hilarious road race as part of Tipperary's All-Ireland celebration That packed broadcast will get under way from 3pm and is due to wrap up at 5.30pm. Sunday night's edition of The Sunday Game will give Ó Sé, Ciarán Whelan, Enda McGinley, Paul Flynn, Cora Staunton and Mark McHugh the platform to reflect on the final and season as a whole. Advertisement This year's match-up is quite clearly a case of the two best teams being the last two standing. It's set to be a refreshingly clear sight too thanks to the GAA opting to On Wednesday, the Association tweeted: "A rare sight on the biggest stage. Kerry and Donegal in alternate colours for the first final clash since 2010." Advertisement The move has been broadly praised over the past few hours. Joe replied: "Good idea. It was nuts having Meath and Donegal play in their normal colours in the semi-final." Similarly, Cathal added: "About time. The Meath-Donegal game should've been the same." Now that that part of the puzzle has been solved, all that's left to debate is who's actually going to wind up lifting Sam Maguire. Earlier this week Joe Brolly and Pat Spillane Advertisement
Extra.ie
2 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Watch: Pierce Brosnan transforms into Brendan Ingle for Prince Naseem biopic
The first trailer has been released for the biopic of former world featherweight champion 'Prince' Naseem Hamed, starring Pierce Brosnan and Amir El-Masry. Pierce portrays Dublin-born boxing trainer Brendan Ingle, while Amir takes on the role of Naseem 'Naz' Hamed himself. The film is executive produced by Sylvester Stallone and written and directed by Rowan Athale. Pierce Brosnan as Brendan Ingle and Amir El-Masry as Naseem Hamed in Giant. Pic: True Brit Entertainment The biopic follows the real-life story of Prince Naseem 'Naz' Hamed, a British-Yemeni boxer, and his journey from 'humble beginnings to becoming a world champion'. It also explores his training under Brendan Ingle who played a crucial role in his success. The synopsis reads: 'Charting his inspiring rags-to-riches underdog tale from his humble beginnings in Sheffield to becoming champion of the world and a global sporting icon in the 1990s, the film explores the unlikely and tender relationship between Naz and his Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle; and the instrumental role that Ingle played on his road to success.' Pierce Brosnan looks transformed in Giant. Pic: True Brit Entertainment Brendan was one of the Ireland boxing scene's most influential figures during a decorated career in which he trained four world champions, including Naz and Johnny Nelson. The trainer became renowned for getting young lives on the straight and narrow through discipline and fitness. Naseem Hamad and Brendan Ingle during a Press Conference in Dublin in 1996. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Brendan passed away in 2018 at the age of 77 and the entire boxing world paid tribute to him. Naz said after his death: 'I can honestly say that if it were not for Brendan Ingle, I would not have achieved all I did in the sport of boxing.' Pierce Brosnan takes on the role of Brendan with a transformed look that rids him of his usual full head of hair and sports a pair of Brendan's iconic glasses. Life hits hard. Legends hit harder. Watch the new trailer for GIANT, based on the incredible true story of British sporting icon Prince Naseem Hamed and his trainer Brendan Ingle. Starring Pierce Brosnan and Amir El-Masry, from exec producer Sylvester Stallone. IN CINEMAS SOON. — Giant The Movie (@GiantTheMovie) July 23, 2025 The trailer also gives a first look – or listen – at the Dublin accent that Pierce adopted for the role. A release date is yet to be announced for the film but it is expected to arrive at the end of this year.
RTÉ News
32 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
RTÉ Rugby podcast: Respect for Garry Ringrose as Andy Farrell backs his Irish stars
Neil Treacy is joined by Jonny Holland and Johne Murphy as we react to the big team news and preview the second Test between the British and Irish Lions and Australia. We discuss the unfortunate news for Garry Ringrose, after he was forced to withdraw from the second Test due to the concussion, and how his decision to report his symptoms shows how attitudes to head injuries are changing. The podcast also looks at another Irish dominated line-up selected by Andy Farrell, and analyses some of the key moments from last week's first Test, as well as looking ahead to Saturday's game at the MCG.
