Derval O’Rourke won a silver medal for Ireland in the 100m hurdles at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona tonight. Derval had the race of her life to take second behind the in-form Nevin Yanit of Turkey, and set a new national record of 12.65. Running from an unfancied lane 7, Derval matched the eventual winner stride-for-stride, and was just pipped on the line by 0.02s for gold. Although disappointed to miss out on being crowned Europe’s top sprint hurdler, Derval was delighted with her podium finish. ‘Unbelievable. I think when I look back on my career whenever it ends, the only thing that will count is medals because they go into the history books and can’t be taken away,’ she said after the race. ‘I’d love to be champion but I ran a personal best and can’t ask for any more. That was absolutely 100% all I had and I’m over the moon.’
Leevale AC are truly proud of Derval’s achievement – she is a fantastic ambassador for the club and a great example to all our young athletes.
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