LABAN ROTICH failed by a fraction in his bid to become the first athlete to break four minutes for the mile in Kerry at last night’s Lee Strand international meeting on Castleisland’s resplendent track when he outsprinted fellow Kenyan, Paul Korir, to win in 4:00.63.

JER O’DONOGHUE (Leevale) returned to his native county to claim his qualifying standard for next year’s European track and field championships last night when An Riocht AC unveiled their magnificent new €1.8 million facility with the Lee Strand International at Castleisland.