HURDLER Niall Flannery added the Aviva English Track and Field School Championship to his growing list of honours this weekend and immediately vowed to conquer Europe.

The 18-year-old made light work of his rivals in Sheffield to claim the 400m hurdles gold with his victory time of 51.98 seconds almost a second- and-a-half quicker than silver medallist Tom Moakes.

Despite his victory margin, the Gateshead Harrier barely broke sweat with his time almost a second down on that which handed him the England under-20 title last month and saw him register the second fastest time by a junior in Europe this year.

And with a trip to the European Junior Championships in Serbia scheduled for July 23, Flannery insists he is ready to go head-to-head with Germany’s Marc-John Dombrowski, whose season’s best stands at 50.89 seconds.

“I am running consistently at the minute which is really good going into a major event like the European Junior Championships,” said Flannery, one of 15 up-andcoming athletes selected for the UKA Heroes project, supported by Original Source.

“I am really confident right now because I have had quite a few wins recently and I am ranked second in Europe.

“I am not going there not to win so it is just a matter of getting there and doing the business now.

“I am not that far behind the guy from Germany who is ranked top so it should be interesting.”

Meanwhile, Morpeth Harrier Laura Weightman will find out today if she has done enough to secure a place in the European Junior Championship squad after claiming the senior girls’ 1500m title in Sheffield.

Weightman, who turned 18 earlier this month, cruised to the Schools’ title in a time of 4.31.08 minutes – but was over ten seconds shy of the qualifying standard at the Don Valley Stadium.

But Weightman’s dream isn’t over yet as despite failing to finish in the top two at the England under-20 Championships and European Trials last month she could be given special compensation following recent displays.

“The final selections take place on Monday and I have run the qualifying time but I ran it in a mixed race and you are supposed to run it in a women’s only race,” said Weightman, also a member of the UKA Heroes initiative.

“But hopefully, having won the English Schools’ race and having the qualifying time will mean I have done enough to be selected.”

UKA Heroes project sponsored by Original Source is a successful initiative which offers financial support to talented young athletes who are working towards the 2012 and 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games,