Ian O'Riordan: In 22 magical minutes, Mark English and Rhasidat Adeleke had sealed their legacies

In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, Ireland's Mark English and Rhasidat Adeleke achieved significant milestones at the European Championships in Birmingham. English secured a historic gold medal in the men's 800m final, marking the first time an Irish man has won a European outdoor title in any discipline.

Adeleke followed suit, clinching a silver medal in the women's 200m final. This latest achievement adds to her collection of European medals, which includes a 400m silver and two relay medals from two years prior. The close timing of their events, just 22 minutes apart, created a thrilling evening for Irish athletics fans.

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It was said beforehand that 12 per cent of the tickets sold for the seven days of these championships were sent to Irish addresses. By the time the evening events got underway on day four, it felt like that Irish support was all front of stage.

The atmosphere at the Alexander Stadium, initially noted for sparse crowds, transformed during the evening session, largely due to the strong presence of Irish supporters. Many fans, estimated to be 12% of ticket holders, stayed late to celebrate English and Adeleke's victories, creating a vibrant and supportive environment.

English's victory is particularly notable, as he becomes the first Irish man to achieve this continental outdoor title. This accomplishment places him in esteemed company, following in the footsteps of Irish athletes like Ronnie Delany and Eamonn Coghlan, who previously won European medals but did not secure an outdoor title. The intimacy of the stadium allowed spectators to feel close to the athletes, enhancing the celebratory mood as English and Adeleke soaked in their hard-earned successes.

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In winning the 800m, after a series of five runner-up medals, English became the first Irish man to win a European outdoor title in any event.