Team Ireland enjoyed a very successful opening day in the athletics competitions at the World University Games in Napoli, with Eric Favors Jr securing a top ten finish in the Shot Put Final.

The morning session began with Cliodhna Manning (IT Carlow) qualifying from her heat in the 400 metres with a time of 54.76 and Cliodhna will run in her semi-final at 5.30pm today in Stadio San Paolo.

Eric Favors Jr was next into action on the field as he began his quest for qualification for the final of the shot put and a throw of 19.2 metres saw him advance to the final. The final took place last night in Stadio San Paolo and Eric finished in a fantastic 10^th place overall with a best throw of 18.94m in the final.

Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (Villanova University) and Alanna Lally (University College Dublin) both advanced to the semi-finals in the 800 metres. Both girls ran almost identical times in the heats with Siofra running 2:06.78 and Alanna coming home in 2:06.74. The semi-finals of the 800 metres get underway at 7.05pm in Stadio San Paolo tonight.