CIAN MCPHILLIPS HAS broken the national record again at the World Athletics Championships, clocking 1:42.15 to finish fourth in the final of the men’s 800m.

Running in lane two, McPhillips looked composed after the first lap, sitting just on the edge of the pack. He produced a brilliant final 100m, coming from the back to finish fourth just outside the medal positions.

But it’s another national record for McPhillips who has truly announced himself to the world stage.

McPhillips, the first Irish man to qualify for a world outdoor 800m final, was hoping to follow on from Kate O’Connor’s brilliant silver earlier today, and emulate Sonia O’Sullivan who won a tack medal at the 1995 championships.

The Longford native was ranked 55th in the world ahead of the championships but caused a major upset by reaching the final after winning his heat and semi-final where he set a new national record of 1:43.18.

More to follow…

Written by Sinead Farrell and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.