Joanne Cuddihy (Kilkenny City Harriers) ran another personal best in the 400 metre final placing sixth in 53.36. She ran a PB 53.77 in her semifinal race to qualify for the final. Cuddihy ran in lane 3 in the second of two semifinal races. She'll line up in lane 7 for Thursday's final. Cuddihy advanced to the semifinal by placing second in her 400m qualifying race (Heat 1) running 54.07.

Joanne Cuddidhy's 53.36 when finishing in 6th in The World Junior Championship moves her to 4th on The Irish all-time 400m rankings just outside Caroline O'Shea's Junior record of 53.24.

David McCarthy (Celbridge AC) placed seventh in the 400 metre final in 47.10. Running in lane 2 in the first of three semifinal races, McCarthy placed fourth in his semifinal 46.77 and qualified as the fastest loser to the final. McCarthy qualified for the semifinal by running 47.07 to place third in Section 2 of the opening round.

Ann Loughnane placed 16th in the 10,000m walk in 51.11.54.

In the first round, Claire Bergin (Heat 4, Lane 5) qualified to the semifinal by placing 4th in her race in a personal best time of 24.36 (+2.0). In the semifinal she raced in Heat 1 of 3 in Lane 1, where she placed 7th in 24.97 (+0.4)

In the opening round,Paul Hession (Heat 4, Lane 6) placed third in a personal best 21.03 (+1.4) and advanced to the semifinal where he placed 6th in 21.22 (+1.1).

Darragh Graham (Heat 7, Lane 2) ran 21.78 (+1.5) for sixth place in his race - top three advanced to the semifinals.

Liam Reale raced in heat 2 in the first round of the 1,500m where he ran 3.50.52 for 9th spot. The top 4 in each race plus the next four fastest losers advance narrowing the field to 12 for Sunday's final.

The fact that she will be young enough to compete in the junior ranks again next year speaks volumes for the Kilkenny woman's talents.

McCarthy, the Irish and British Champion, has just been named by Athletics Ireland as a member of the European Championship Senior 4 x 400m Relay squad and will be hoping to reward their faith in him with Qualification towards the business end of his event.

Thursday sees the 200m commence with Paul Hession and Darragh Graham. Taking part on the Men's side and Dubliner Claire Bergin on the women's side. 15 year old Ann Loughnane (Loughrea) makes her International debut over 10,000m Walk later in the evening and Limerick man Liam Reale makes his entrance to the Championships when he takes part in the 1500m heats on Friday afternoon. The Team Manager is Neil Martin.

Men's Team
200m, Paul Hession, Athenry AC
200m, Darragh Graham, Inbhear Dee AC
400m, David McCarthy, Celbridge AC
1500m, Liam Reale, Limerick AC

Women's Team
200m, Claire Bergin, Dundrum South Dublin
400m, Joanne Cuddihy, Kilkenny City Harriers
10000m Walk, Ann Loughnane, Loughrea AC

Thanks to Pierce O'Callaghan for the preview report.