O'Rourke comes in last in 100m hurdles heat

Derval O'Rourke rounded off a poor night for Irish athletics at the World Championship in Paris' Stade de France, finishing last in her heat of the 100m hurdles.

The 22-year-old UCD student, coached by Jim Kilty, got out sixth fastest of eight from the blocks in lane three but with race winner Perdita Felicien to her right, she was always under pressure.

The Cork-born sprinter crossed the line in 13.54, down on her personal best and national record, 12.96, set at the European U23 Championships.

Canadian Felicien clocked 12.70 on the line.

There were some doubts about O'Rourke's participation in this event as she injured her ankle in her national record race in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

It was a great experience for the youngster, becoming only the second Irish woman to take part in a hurdles event at the Worlds.

Last month she achieved qualification for the 2004 Olympics and will be expected to improve further following her leap from 13.41 in 2002.