Ó Lionaird backed to benefit from Daegu experience

CIARÁN Ó LIONAIRD has been like a breath of fresh air since he arrived at Ireland’s training camp in Daegu to put the finishing touches to his preparations for the World Championships, which get under way today.

After years of frustration it took the 23-year-old Leevale athlete just three minutes and 34 seconds to become an overnight success, having spent much of his collegiate career in the US running under the radar.

By the time he returned from Florida State University he had set pb’s for 10,000m, 5,000m and 1,500m and he quickly added the 3,000m to that list as a sub four minute mile in Santry.