THERE was further concern for Irish team manager, Patsy McGonagle, on the eve of the Olympic team’s departure for the pre-Olympic training camp in Matsue when middle distance runner, Alistair Cragg, pulled out of the 3,000m race at the Super Grand Prix in Monte Carlo last night.

DERVAL O’ROURKE is resting the groin injury that has cut short her Olympic preparations and is being treated by the Athletics Ireland medical staff under Dr Bill Cuddihy.

PAUL HESSION was in sensational form at the Woodies DIY national track and field championships at Morton Stadium yesterday and promised more fireworks in his favoured 200m at next weekend’s Super Grand Prix at Crystal Palace.

IRELAND has two athletes at the top of the European rankings after an exciting weekend that saw Paul Hession (Athenry) run the fastest 200m by a European this year at the Woodies DIY national track and field championships at Morton Stadium and Alistair Cragg post the fastest 5,000m by a European at a meet in Brasschaat, Belgium.

ALISTER CRAGG will follow an unusual route this weekend in his bid to get back on track for the world championships when he competes in back-to-back 5,000m races in Belgium on Saturday and then at the national championships in the Morton Stadium on Sunday.

ALISTER CRAGG will follow an unusual route this weekend in his bid to get back on track for the world championships when he competes in back-to-back 5,000m races in Belgium on Saturday and then at the national championships in the Morton Stadium on Sunday.

DERVAL O’ROURKE will share the limelight with the stars of world athletics at the Golden League meet in Zurich next Friday night as she sets about reaping the financial rewards of the silver medal she won at the European championships in Gothenburg.