NI Commonwealth Games athletes make their mark in Brisbane

Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games hopefuls enjoyed their first taste of Australian competition in the Queensland Invitational at Brisbane.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Mar 2018, 23:05 BST

Updated 30th Mar 2018, 00:15 BST

Leon Reid, with strong hopes of reaching at least one final in the Games, was an impressive second in the 200 metres. The 23-year-old clocked 20.90 in to a 1.6 m/s headwind to take runner-up behind England’s Zharnel Hughes.

Earlier Leon had placed third in the 100 in 10.75 in the race won by Adam Gemili.

Long jumper Adam McMullen had his best ever outdoor opener with 7.78 for fifth in a very close and windy competition.

And 17-year-old heptathlete Kate O’Connor set a new personal best of 14.82 in the 100 hurdles also into a strong headwind. She later came sixth in the 200 with 25.64.

Sprint star Amy Foster was fourth in the 100m in 11.81. The race was won by Dina Asher-Smith from England.

Meanwhile, Heather Ardis of Banbridge AC gained the prestigious award for Senior Coach of the Year at the Belfast Sports Awards 2018.

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