Healy narrowly misses out on European 5000m medal

Irish athlete Sarah Healy narrowly missed out on a medal at the European Championships in Birmingham as she finished fourth in the women's 5000m final on Tuesday evening.

Healy recorded a time of 15:40.95 to fall short of the bronze medal position by just 0.3 seconds.

The UCD athlete was well to the fore throughout a tactical final and was firmly in medal contention when as the pace of the race increased over the closing laps.

She produced a strong finish over the final 150 metres but ended just out of the medals.

Italy's Nadia Battocletti claimed the European title in 15:37.84, with Spain's Marta García taking silver in a season's best 15:39.98 and Italy's Micol Majori securing bronze in 15:40.65.

"Fourth is a really hard place to come," said Healy. "It's disappointing to be so close to a medal because, in a race like that, I felt I had a good chance.

"It was only my second 5000m and the race went by so fast. It was really physical and every time I got into a good position, I seemed to get pushed back again.

"I gave it my best, but I do have a little bit of regret about the last lap. I felt like I was coming again over the final 150 metres, but I'd left myself too much work to do."

Healy also praised the vocal Irish support inside Alexander Stadium.

"The support was amazing. At one point I genuinely felt like I was the most cheered-for athlete in the stadium. Irish athletes are getting incredible support everywhere we go these days, but tonight in particular it almost felt like we were in Dublin."

Healy will return to action in the opening round of the women's 1500m on Saturday.