O’Rourke beats the heat to seal semi-final place

DERVAL O’ROURKE is safely through to today’s semi-finals of the women’s 100m hurdles at the world championships in Osaka (11.35am Irish time).

Last year’s world indoor 60m hurdles champion and European 100m hurdles silver medallist got her campaign off to a nervous start in searing heat yesterday morning.

Quick away from the blocks, a confident pick-up and then her hallmark fighting finish saw her through among the ‘fastest losers’ after she had finished fourth behind champion, Michelle Perry (USA) in 12.91 secs.