European Games Day 2: Sarah Lavin close to PB in 100m hurdles

Ireland currently lead the way in Division 3 of athletics after 25 of the 37 events have been completed at the European Games in Krakow, with Sarah Lavin cruising to victory in the Women's 100m hurdles race.

The team, which features some of the biggest names in Irish athletics, is now seven points ahead of main rivals Austria.

The competition doubles up as the European Team Championships, with 44 athletes named on the Irish team, with the main objective of moving out of Division 3. The top three teams will be promoted to Division 2.

The day’s action got off to the ideal start for the Irish with both male and female sprint hurdlers delivering victories which secured a maximum 15 points. Cork teenager won the 110m hurdles (14.31), with Lavin then delivering in her event.

Lavin’s time of 12.82 is the second fastest ever in her career and just 0.03s off her personal best which she set at the European Championships in Munich last year.

"It was a really good performance," she said afterwards. "I tried to treat it like round one of a championship. 12.82 is a good run at any time of the day."

Tokyo 2020 Olympian Louise Shanahan was impressive as she took maximum points in the 800m clocking 2.03.39.

Thomas Barr, who finished fourth at the Olympics in Rio seven years ago, showed his experience as he took victory in the 400m hurdles (49.41).

The Waterford athlete, who is based in Limerick, is one of the two captains selected for the event by Athletics Ireland alongside Phil Healy, a role he is relishing.

"It’s a great honour. Both myself and Phil have said that we’re honoured to be leading out such a team because I can remember back to when my first Team Championships was and looking up to other athletes like David Gillick. It’s nice to be