Kate O’Connor in heptathlon gold medal contention at European Championships

Michael Bolton

Kate O'Connor is in contention for a gold medal at the heptathlon in the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

O'Connor had a personal best in the long jump, with her best jump of 6.55m.

The Javelin saw O'Connor throw for 50.16, which put her on top with 5812 points.

However, there is very little to separate the top contenders, with the Netherlands duo Oosterwegel on 5761 and Sofie Dokter with 5741pts right behind O'Connor.

In what has been a positive morning for Ireland, the women's 4x100m have qualified for the final.

A good start from Lucy-May Sleeman and her baton change to Ciara Neville.

Sarah Leahy is released heading towards the home straight, with the top sprinter Lauren Roy crossing the line in fourth. A time of 43.13 is a new national record.

The men's 4x100 also qualified for tonight's final, with a time of 39.13 seconds, to finish in fourth in the semi-final and qualify.

In the women's 1500m, Sarah Healy and Sophie O'Sullivan are through to the final after both finishing in the top six in the second semi-final.

Healy finished in second with a time of 4:08.12, just edged out of winning the race.

O'Sullivan timed her race to perfection to finish strong in fifth with a time of 4:08.88.

It was not to be for Jodie McCann, who finished 13th in the first semi-final after a strong start, with a time of 4:14.63 in what was a quick semi-final.

Earlier on Saturday morning, David Kenny finished 6th in the men's half marathon walk, with Oisin Lane in 11th.