UCD graduates shine bright at European Athletics Championships
Congratulations to Derval O'Rourke, Deirdre Ryan and Joanne Cuddihy who all delivered career best performances at the European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg.
Former UCD sports scholar, Derval O'Rourke re-affirmed her position
as one of the world’s best sprint hurdlers when she took Silver
in the 100- metre hurdles at the European Championships. She set a new
Irish record finishing in 12.72 seconds. Derval made a magnificent start
and led the pack for the first 30 meters until Suzanna Kallur took the
lead to finish
in first. Derval held out for second place and her final lunge at the
finishing line (reminiscent of Colin Jackson’s famous dip) led to
a photo finish. Following an appeal by the German Federation, Derval
received joint Silver with Kirsten Bolm.
In the finals of the High Jump, former UCD sports scholar, Deirdre Ryan delivered a career best performance equalling her national record of 1.92m.
Joanne Cuddihy's eight place finish in the 400m at the European Championships displays her continued determination to become a new star in Irish and international athletics. This was the first time since 1962 that an Irish female athlete had reached the European Championships final of the 400m.