Having been there, done that, Sonia O’Sullivan and David Matthews know all about the path — and indeed pitfalls — between underage and senior success.

Few nations embrace their medal-winners quite like Ireland, a country that puts a higher premium on international success due to its rarity.

Canada’s Crystal Emmanuel shone brightest at the 66th edition of the Cork City Sports last night, the 25-year-old blasting to a national record of 22.50 in a race in which Bandon’s Phil Healy broke new ground with a huge personal best of 23.32.

Brian Gregan stole Ciara Mageean’s thunder as he set a new personal best at the Morton games as Mageean missed the two-minute mark.