Cork ready to welcome Slovakia hero O’Brien

ALAN O’BRIEN (Crusaders) was relatively unknown when he won the IMC 800m at Cork City Sports last year.

When he lines up for the 1,500m at The Mardyke on Saturday week he will be assured of star status after his performance at the European Team Championships in Slovakia at the weekend.

A late replacement in the team, he out-kicked the field in the 1,500m to gain the maximum points that helped Ireland to promotion, for next year’s competition when they will be in against some of the strongest nations in Europe.