His first sporting passion and talent was basketball and he made a national U15 development squad before he switched sports to pull on the Irish vest at high jump.

Men cross-dressing, runners of both sexes, charities jumping for joy — the Evening Echo Women’s mini- marathon attracted it’s usual quota of outrageous outfits, pink wigs and big hearts, all out for a good cause.

Derval O’Rourke had a grin of satisfaction after reclaiming her 60m hurdles title at the Woodies DIY Irish indoor championships at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast yesterday in 8.21 secs — modest by her standards.

FIONNUALA BRITTON beat a quality field to notch up another victory in Saturday’s IAAF Grand Challenge Cross Country International over a rain sodden course in Greenmount, Antrim.

PATRICK JOHNSON, whose father emigrated to Australia from Carlow in 1952 has become the first athlete from his country to break 10 seconds for 100m.