Congratulations to Longford's Cian McPhillips for impressive performance

There were warm congratulations extended to Longford athlete Cian McPhillips after his highly impressive performance in the men’s 800m at the World Championships in Tokyo recently.

The Ardagh star won his heat and semi-final in stunning fashion with an Irish record time of 1:43.18 and remarkably he managed to shave another second off that in the final during a phenomenal run.

Read more: LIVE | Enjoy the homecoming for top Longford athlete and World Finalist Cian McPhillips

The 23-year-old UCD student missed out by 0.2 of a second on a world medal, being pipped by three Olympic medallists.

Cathoirleach of Granard Municipal District, Independent Cllr Turlough McGovern praised the talented athlete at the recent meeting of Granard Municipal District. "The work Cian had done and the great atmosphere it brought around Longford put us back on the map for the right reasons."

Cllr McGovern said he knew Ballymahon Municipal District could also lay claim to Cian and he said the entire county is very proud of him. "Longford was front and centre and put on the map and I hope it stays that way."