How close can you get.
Thomas Barr was .05 seconds away from bronze in the 400m hurdles final on Thursday afternoon but he can hold his head high after capturing the hearts of a nation in the process.
The Waterford man set a new Irish record with 47.97 but, agonisingly, it wasn’t enough to secure a medal as he finished just – JUST – behind Turkey’s Yasmani Copello, who claimed the final medal place behind winner Kerron Clement and runner-up Boniface Tumuti.
It was agonising, it was breathless but it was celebrated like victory among Barr’s supporters who knew that he had done them proud.
What a performance from the 24-year-old!
https://twitter.com/Bernard_Dunne/status/766291678684647425
Barr absolutely smashing his own Irish record – can't have too many regrets about that run.
— Tommy Martin (@TommyMartinVM) August 18, 2016
Thomas Barr has just run the race of his life, 47.97, but finishes 4th in the men's 400 metres hurdles. Proud, but heartbreaking.
— John Duggan (@JohnDugganSport) August 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/GarrPhillips/status/766294706674343936
https://twitter.com/UnaMullally/status/766294650076405760
Unbelievably close. Unbelievably proud. Well done Tom Barr @TomBarr247 who takes time to go to Irish fans after race pic.twitter.com/iGahUvkUx6
— Sandra Coffey | PR Expert | PR Copywriter | Author (@SandraCoffey) August 18, 2016
@TomBarr247 so close, so proud of you buddy. Tommy barr fever has swept the country 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 🇮🇪🇮🇪 #teambarr
— Ben Duggan (@duggantheking) August 18, 2016
So proud of Thomas Barr! NEW National Record! He gave it socks 😁 #thomasbarr #olympics #ireland pic.twitter.com/DNyawFuPM8
— Siobhan Ni Fhairceal (@siobhan36) August 18, 2016
What a finish by Thomas Barr .. Gave absolutely everything .. Hold that head high #Rio2016
— Sean Hayden (@seanhayden18) August 18, 2016
Another metre and he wins bronze 😫 #Barr #Irl #Athletics
— Jonathon (@ItsOnlyJk) August 18, 2016
Fuck me. That was close. I may have started shouting at my PC at work. Great stuff Thomas Barr #rio16 #irl
— Daniel Gleeson (@DanielAGleeson) August 18, 2016
What a run from Barr! A whisker away from an Olympic medal – can be massively proud. At 24, he has a huge future
— Eoghan Sweeney (@buileshuibhne) August 18, 2016
Bawling. Thomas Barr you made the whole country so, so proud! What a come back at the end @TomBarr247 #ThomasBarr #Rio2016 #RioOlympics2016
— Mary Cate Smith (@marycesmith) August 18, 2016
SO close. An-bhródúil asat Thomas Barr 🍀🍀🍀
— Caoiṁe Ní Ċaṫail (@CaoimheChats) August 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/Antcon7062/status/766290668885016580
THOMAS BARR #Rio2016.Gutted for the man. So close. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/tcJInlehPh
— MartinMcdonald@25gma (@MartinM79510567) August 18, 2016
Brilliant run by Thomas Barr. Irish record shattered and a very credible fourth place👏👏💪 #UL in Rio #Olympics #Rio2016 #ThomasBarr
— Caoimhín Reilly (@CaoimhinReilly) August 18, 2016
On the latest episode of the GAA Hour Hurling Show Wooly and the lads reflect on a monumental weekend of action. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes
