Kate O’Connor off to strong start in heptathlon with 100m hurdles lifetime best

Kate O’Connor got her latest heptathlon medal quest off to an excellent start, setting a new lifetime best in the 100m hurdles during Friday’s morning session at the European Championships in Birmingham.Greeted with a huge roar of Irish support inside the Alexander Stadium, O’Connor started in the second of the three races. Despite being a little isolated in the outside lane, she nailed fourth place in 13.30 seconds.The time is an improvement on her previous best of 13.44, set when winning silver at the World Championships in Tokyo last year, and O’Connor looked well satisfied with her effort, earning her 1,080 points.In the third race, Annik Kalin from Switzerland laid down a massive marker, winning in an impressive 12.59 seconds, although aided by a hefty tailwind.READ MOREThe time puts Kalin out in front on 1,187 points after the first of seven event. The Dutch duo of Emma Ossterwegel and Sofie Dokter sit second and third with 1,127 and 1,123 respectively, while O’Connor is 11th. Next up in the event is the high jump from 11.25am.Meanwhile, in the men’s 4x400m relay, the Irish quartet of Andrew Egan, Jack Raftery, Joe Doody and Sean Doggett finished a close fifth in their heat, clocking 3:01.76. The Netherlands took the heat win in 3:00.98. Although Ireland originally finished sixth, they were bumped up a place after France were disqualified, but their overall 10th left them outside the top-eight finish required to make the final.And in the women’s 4x400m relay heats, Ireland finished a distant eighth in the heats, clocking 3:32.70. Without Rhasidat Adeleke following her silver-medal performance in the women’s 200m on Thursday night, and the injured Sharlene Mawdsley, the quartet of Sophie Becker, Jenna Breen, Cliodhna Manning and Arlene Crossan could only manage 15th overall.