Waterford’s Jessie Barr has qualified for the final of the women’s 400m hurdles at the European Athletic Championships in Helsinki.
Barr recorded a new personal best time of 55.93 as she finished fourth in her heat.
The 22-year-old will now be aiming to secure qualification for the London Olympics by going under a time of 55.50 in Friday’s final.
There was also good news in the women’s 3000m steeplechase where Stephanie Reilly booked her place in Saturday’s final.
Reilly, who has already qualified for the Olympics, ran a season best time of 9:44.15 and finished sixth in her heat.
Her time was easily enough to see her progress from as one of the seven fastest losers over the two heats.
Earlier Tori Pena failed to progress in the pole vault, failing three times at 4.40 metres, well below her personal best of 4.52.
Jessie Barr's brother Thomas finished fifth in his 400m hurdles semi-final heat, but failed to progress. Brian Gregan competes in the 400m semi-final at 4.40pm Irish time.
