Sarah Healy claims 3000m gold as Kate O’Connor and Mark English win bronze medals at European Indoor Championships

The 24-year-old Dubliner executed her race to perfection, patiently biding her time until the last 100m and then attacking race favourite Melissa Courtney-Bryant of Britain off the last bend, Healy edging gold in a tight finish in 8:52.86.

Courtney-Bryant came home second in 8:52.92, with Salome Alfonso of Portugal third in 8:53.42.

Healy had struggled at several championships in the past and worked extensively on her psychology in the last couple of years, and she was coolness personified throughout the final as she saved her energy for an all-out kick down the home straight that carried her to glory.

She is the first Irish gold medallist at the championships since David Gillick in 2007.

“I’m so happy to do it,” she said. “It’s amazing. To have so many Irish people here made it so special for my first ever medal. The best part is the fact that my parents are here. They’ve seen me sad so many times so that was so nice.

“I knew I had an opportunity to win a medal and a…

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Independent.ie