Nick Griggs to miss indoor season after 'freak' injury, Sarah Healy breaks 1,500m National record

Tyrone's Nick Griggs will sit out the indoor season following a two-week hospital stint for a "freak" illness. The talented youngster has been noticeably missing from results since the start of the short track season in January.

Griggs claimed silver in the Under-23 category of the European Cross Country Championships on 8 December.

Missed by most, the 20-year-old had a minor fall during a frantic start which resulted in him landing on his knee. The multiple European junior medallist popped up quickly and caught the leading group meaning the tumble went unnoticed until after he finished, the only sign a smear of mud on his kneecap.

Griggs' coach Mark Kirk says this is the first major illness or injury related setback that the 20-year-old has experienced.

"He really hasn't had any major injury issues or health set backs since he started running," Kirk told RTÉ Sport.

"The issue also isn't a typical overuse injury, its a bit of a freak one. We aren't sure of the exact cause, but do think the knock to his knee at the Euro cross might have been a factor."

Nick Griggs powers home with an incredible performance to take silver medal at the Under-23 SPAR European Cross Country Championships 2024 in Turkey.

Watch live: https://t.co/8r55LhgRBk pic.twitter.com/qzUgprslWW

Griggs was able to return to running after the European Cross Country Championships but was soon sidelined with pain in his knee that left him unable to walk or drive to necessary physiotherapy appointments.

"He recovered from the minor fall at the Europeans, I didn't even realise it had even happened until after the race and we didn't think much else about it," Kirk explained.

"Nick returned to training but started to really feel his knee the week of Christmas, which