Michelle Finn through to 3000m steeplechase final

Michelle Finn advanced to the final of the 3000m steeplechase at the European Athletics Championships in Munich as a fastest qualifier, while Eilish Flanagan failed to make it through.

The Irish pair were among 31 starters across the two heats this morning vying for a top-five finish, or among the five fastest qualifiers for Saturday’s final.

Two-time Olympian Finn snuck in as the final qualifier based on her time of 9:49.85, just outside her season’s best, in finishing seventh in a fast opening heat.

Finn Valley athlete Flanagan finished 12th in the second heat, clocking a time of 10:00.02.

Finn ran an assured race, settling into the back of the leading group with Turkey’s Tugba Guvenc and Albania’s Luiza Gega setting the early pace.

As Gega pushed out her advantage, the Leevale athlete became detached from the pack, but a strong surge down the home straight secured her passage through.

The formidable Gega was first across the line in a time of 9:30.39, with second and third claiming season’s bests.

Flanagan, a 2019 European Under-23 silver medallist, spent the majority of her race in 10th position, but struggled coming off the final bend to eventually finish 12th in a race won by reigning German champion Lea Meyer in 9:39.59.

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