Ireland’s Kate O’Connor is second in the women’s heptathlon after the opening two events at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. Her strong start keeps her in contention for a medal, with only one point separating her from the leader.

O’Connor set personal bests of 13.30 seconds in the 100m hurdles and 1.86m in the high jump, leaving her on 2,134 points behind Poland’s Adrianna Sulek-Schubert on 2,135. Germany’s Sophie Weissenberg is third on 2,074, while the shot put and 200m take place later on Friday; Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran also reached the men’s 1,500m final.