Ó Lionaird takes final step in Daegu

CIARAN Ó LIONAIRD took another giant step forward in his fragmented athletics career yesterday when he finished sixth in his semi-final of the men’s 1,500m at the world championships in Daegu to qualify for tomorrow’s final.

The 23-year-old Leevale athlete again ran with a confidence that belied his age as several of the big contenders including the defending champion and the world leader fell by the wayside.

This time the young Macroom man’s tactics were different to the first round heat as he settled into a top five position early on — the only time he was outside it was crossing the finish line.

Daniel Kirchir Komen led the first lap in 57.08, nine seconds quicker than the pedestrian first semi-final (3:46.66) which eliminated the defending champion, Houssef Saad Kamel, amongst other notables.

At 800m, 1:55.8, it was clear that the first seven would go through as Komen continued to lead from the 2009 silver medallist, Deresse Mekonnen, with the Olympic champion, Asbel Kiprop, fourth ahead of the Beijing silver medallist, Nick Willis (New Zealand).

Mekonnen led the field into the last lap and Ó Lionaird went with the pace, moving to third, but the Ethiopian faded to finish down the field as did Komen.

Asbel Kiprop (Kenya) led them across the line in 3:36.75 followed by Tarek Boukensa (Algeria), 3:36.84, Mohamed Moustaoui (Morocco), 3:36.87, Manuel Olmedo (Spain), 3:36.91, Eduar Villanueva (Venezuela), 3:36.96, O Lionaird, 3:36.96, and Olympic silver medallist, Nick Willis, 3:37.39, who all go through to tomorrow’s final (12.15 pm Irish time).

“I was not the one to dictate the tactics — Komen decided the race he wanted to run,” Ó Lionaird said. “I put myself in a handy position where I was able to respond. It was not comfortable — 3:36 is hardly comfortable for me — but it was not stressful.

“I have been gaining confidence with every race and today I was just trying to stay relaxed — Der (O’Donovan) has been telling me that I would run better if I was relaxed — I just needed to stay in contention.

“I opted for the outside lane because I was less likely to get boxed in and at the start of each bend I would get to the outside.

“I was not watching the splits so I expected the last lap to explode because I always thought it might be another 3:40 race. It never did and it was a nice feeling when you are waiting for that burst and it does not come.

“I think I need to work on the last 100m because if I can put the last 100m of the first day on to what I did tonight I’ll bring serious ammunition to the final.

“I’m not scared of anything. I take it all in and I enjoy it. I’m not burned out because I’ve been out for four years. And I’m not scared of anyone going into the final. There is a couple of tenths of a second between myself and the Olympic champion.”

Deirdre Ryan (DSD) had a memorable day too as she broke the Irish record with a best of 1.95m in the women’s high jump. The result not only qualifies her for tomorrow’s final but also for next year’s Olympic Games in London.

Alistair Cragg, a two-time Olympic finalist, qualified for his first world championships final by finishing fifth in his semi-final of the men’s 5,000m in 13:39.36. Imane Merga (Ethiopia) won in 13:37.96 from the favourite, Mo Farah (Great Britain), who will bid to put the shock of his finishing straight defeat in the 10,000m behind him when he lines up for Sunday’s final.

“When we stood on the rooftop on Wednesday night things looked pretty bleak for the Irish team but that has all been turned around by what one would have to regard as a defining day for Irish athletics,” Team Manager, Patsy McGonagle, said.

“Alistair (Cragg) was very impressive this morning while Deirdre Ryan was deserving of her place in the final and, indeed, in next year’s Olympic Games.

“And we still have Derval O’Rourke (100m hurdles) and Paul Hession (men’s 200m) to go as well as the women’s 4 x 400m relay.”

Tomorrow morning will also see Colin Griffin in the men’s 50k walk.

The USA flexed their muscles at the championships yesterday, harvesting three of the six titles on offer.

Lashinda Demus claimed gold in the 400m hurdles, 1,500m runner Jenny Simpson did likewise while high jumper Jesse Williams lifted the USA to the top of the medals table.

Kenya extended their dominance of the men’s steeplechase as Ezekiel Kemboi took the 3000m title.