Crusaders in European Cup

Steve Fleming continued his impressive long jump season with a new PB at the European Cup 1st League in Vaasa, Finland. Fleming, a veteran ranked nr2 in the world, leapt out to a wind-legal 7.51m in the first round, and followed up with 7.45m & 7.51m (w) to complete the best series of his life, and take 4th place. Eye-witness reports claim that the first jump wasn't on the board so there is scope for further improvement this season. With the last-minute withdrawal of Jer O'Donoghue from the 4x100m relay, the veteran was called in as a replacement and lead the team to an impressive 40.33s clocking, 9th on the Irish all-time list.
Ian McDonald, selected for the 110mh, was not quite so fortunate and clipped a few hurdles en route to a 14.88s clocking. It was always going to be a difficult race for the young hurdler, whose PB was 8th fastest going into the final, and he was pleased to add 1 to the team points tally.
Tom Chamney was surprisingly not selected to travel, despite being top ranked 800m runner in Ireland by over 1 second. Looking at the points tally at the end of day two, you have to wonder if his inclusion may have made the difference that would have kept Ireland in the 1st League. We'll have to wait another two years to find out.