Ó Lionaird comes of age to secure Worlds semi spot

CIARÁN Ó LIONAIRD is set to take his place among the great middle distance runners after a cool, calculated and confident run in the 1,500m heats at the world championships in Daegu yesterday.

The 23-year-old Leevale athlete finished sixth in 3:40.41 which gained him automatic qualification for tomorrow’s semi-finals but those who watched the race will have witnessed a young man who has come of age at a time when Irish middle distance running is desperately in need of a lift.

It was a tactical race, coming off a modest 58.26 second opening lap and Ó Lionaird was a victim, fortunately not a casualty, of the pushing and shoving over the opening 400m.