Houston problem as Fagan fails to get visa

MARTIN FAGAN’S hopes of a quick return to the US to complete his preparations for next month’s Houston Marathon were dashed yesterday when he failed to get a quick visa to re-enter the country.

He was refused re-entry at Philadelphia Airport last Monday on his return from the European Cross-country Championships, and while he resigned himself to the fact that he would not make Houston, hopes were rekindled when officials at the US Embassy agreed to meet him yesterday.

However, he came away without a visa and the Irish team manager, Patsy McGonagle, said it would take some time for him to get the type of visa he requires.