Cool O’Rourke powers to fastest run of season

DERVAL O’ROURKE passed a major milestone in her build-up to the World Championships when she broke 13 seconds for the first time this season at last night’s IAAF Grand Prix meeting in Lausanne.

Running in unseasonable if not bitterly-cold conditions — it was a cool 13C when the meeting began in the early evening — she finished fifth in the 100m hurdles B final in 12.98 secs.

The race was won by Josephine Onyia, another Nigerian who has opted to compete for Spain, in a seasonal best time of 12.82 secs followed by two three Americans, Nichole Denby, 12.86 secs, Damu Cherry, 12.94 secs and Danielle Carruthers, 12.95 secs, who just pipped the Cork athlete for fourth place.