European Indoor Championships: Sarah Healy wins gold in 3000m as Ireland win three medals

Michael Bolton

Sarah Healy won the women's 3000 metres in the European Indoor Championships.

Healy finished strong to claim gold in the Netherlands, with a time of 8:52.16 on a memorable day for Irish athletics.

She twice broke the Irish record at the distance last month, and kept herself in a prominent position throughout, finishing ahead of Melissa Courtney-Bryant and Salome Afonso.

It was the first gold medal for Ireland at these championships since David Gillick won the 400m for the second time in 2007.

Earlier, Mark English ended Ireland's wait for a medal as he won bronze in the men's 800 metres.

English, a week shy of turning 32, called on his experience and brilliant racing brain to move from fifth to third on the last lap, with a time of 1:45.46.

The race was won by Samuel Chapple, with a time of 1:44.88, ahead of Ryan Clarke at 1:44.92.

Newry native Kate O'Connor finished third in the overall standings of the Women's Pentathlon after winning the 8oom.

She beat third-placed Jade O'Dowda of Britain by three seconds to take the bronze.

In the men's 300m final, Andrew Coscoran finished sixth.

Newry native Kate O'Connor finished third in the overall standings of the Women's Pentathlon after winning the 8oom.

She beat third-placed Jade O'Dowda of Britain by three seconds to take the bronze.