Supporters at the Irish National Athletics Championship were served up a treat this evening, despite the rain, as Sarah Healy and Sophie O'Sullivan battled it out in the 1500m.
The two middle distance maestros were were about two hundred metres ahead of the chasing pack during the final lap, as they ran shoulder-to-shoulder.
They slowed down during the last 400 metres, waiting for the other to make a move, before they both began their sprints with 250m to go.
It was Healy who managed to grab the initial advantage and she didn't let up and won out by about three metres.
Healy And O'Sullivan Serve Up Brilliant Drama At National Athletics Championship
The race of the championships at Irish nationals as Sarah Healy and Sophie O'Sullivan serve up a cracker.
O'Sullivan took the first lap, Healy hammered the second, they slowed to an absolute dawdle with 400m to run, before turning on the jets with 250 to go. pic.twitter.com/E1SNAVfjNc
— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) July 30, 2023
READ HERE: Talented Sophie O'Sullivan Joins Mother Sonia In Irish 1500m Elite
It was sweet revenge for Healy, who, despite being the no. 1 ranked runner, came second to O'Sullivan at the recent European U23 Athletics Championship.
However, as she pointed out in her post-race interview, the two are good friends and are hugely supportive of each other.
“I’m disappointed, obviously,” she said.
“I didn’t execute it the way I planned to, I wasn’t decisive enough. Coming in ranked number one, it’s disappointing to finish below that but if someone was to beat me, I’m glad it was Sophie. It’s special for Ireland to get two medals so I’m really glad to be part of that.”
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