Fintan Dewhirst hits European U20 qualification with new Donegal record

Fintan Dewhirst booked a place at the 2023 European Under-20 Championships when clocking a new Donegal record on Saturday.

The Tir Chonaill AC man went over the 400m hurdles in 52.68 seconds when competing at the IFAM International Flanders Athletics Meet in Oordegem, Belgium.

The time represents a new Donegal record for Dewhirst, who last August went 53.46 seconds in Swansea.

Dewhirst is now booked for the European Under-20s, which take place at the Givat Ram Stadium in Jerusalem in August.

Last year in Jerusalem, Dewhirst won a European Under-18 silver.

The Gallen sisters at Loughborough.

At the same meet, Tir Chonaill AC's Lucy McGlynn hit back to go 61.67 seconds over the 400m hurdles, edging close to a qualification mark for the European Juniors, while Kelly McGrory finished her 400m hurdles in 57.67 seconds in an international field – the leading Irish time so far in 2023.

In England at the Loughborough Throws Meet, Lifford-Strabane AC's Caoimhe Gallen set a new PB of 56.80m in the hammer (3kg) and is now just 60m shy of the European Youth Olympic qualification mark.

Her older sister Adrienne threw 52.80m with the 4kg shot, just 95cm away from her Donegal record.