Euro Reale-ity check for Cragg

LIAM REALE threw something of a cloud over Alistair Cragg’s European championship ambitions when he outsmarted the European indoor 3,000m champion and then held him off comfortably in the finishing straight to land the 1,500m title at the Woodies DIY national track and field championships at Morton Stadium yesterday.

Victory went to the 23 year-old Limerick man in 3:43.26 with Cragg second in 3:44.98 and European junior champion Colin Costello third in 3:46.53.

Reale went into the race with the fastest time, 3:38.65, but Cragg set about burning him off with a 58.66 opening lap with Costello close up and the trio well clear of the field. They hit the 800m mark in 2:00.50 but the pace was slowing.