Interview with Jessie and Thomas Barr...

Sister and brother Jessie and Thomas Barr from Waterford are currently two of the best Irish hurdlers over 400m.

Jessie, who is older of the two at 23 years old is currently the second fastest Irish woman over the 400m hurdles. As well as being part of the Irish 4 x 400m relay team that went to the London Olympics, she also made it through to the final in the European Championships in Helsinki last year.

400m Hurdles
1 54.31 Susan Smith 14.09.71 7 Zurich 12.08.98
2 55.93 Jessie Barr 24.07.89 4 Helsinki 28.06.12
3 56.19 Michelle Carey 20.02.81 3r2 Walnut 20.04.08
4 56.51 Mary Appleby 08.05.57 Sittard 16.08.80
5 56.73 Adrienne McIvor 09.02.70 Riga 22.06.00
6 57.31 Justine  Kinney 06.04.88 1 Geneva 02.06.12
7 57.75 Brona Furlong 23.11.86 3 Chambérien 04.07.10
8 57.93 Barbara Johnson 05.12.62 1 Dublin 24.07.88

At just 20 years of age, Thomas Barr is already the second fastest Irish man over the 400m hurdles. He also competed at the European Championships in Helsinki last year.

400m Hurdles
1 49.73 Tom McGuirk 03.02.71 5 San Jose USA 01.06.96
2 50.06 Thomas Barr  24.07.92 1 Dublin IRL 07.08.11
3 50.65 Jason Harvey 09.08.91 2 Dublin IRL 07.08.11
4 50.76 Brian Liddy 16.06.77 7 Gothenburg SWE 30.07.99
5 51.11 Ciaran Dunphy 15.11.64 1 Dublin IRL 30.06.85
6 51.23 Antoine Burke 20.07.75 4 Leiria POR 18.06.05
7 51.24 Tim Crowe 10.12.91 2 Ostrava CZE 14.07.11
8 51.33 David Keoghan 09.10.78 2 Dublin IRL 25.07.99

At the recent launch of the New Balance / Athletics Ireland sponsorship deal, sports commentator Will Downing caught up with them and this is the interview...

ATHLETICS Jessie & Thomas Barr Feb2013 by Will Downing on Mixcloud