Hopes fade for Irish at World Athletics Championships

David Gillick was left puffing and blowing at the end of his World Championships 400 metres semi-final in Osaka – and in sixth place after wilting in the home straight.

The two-time European indoor champion gave it his best shot as he promised, but he was no match for the star-studded opposition he chased around the Nagai stadium.

Gillick clocked an exemplary time of 45.37 seconds but that was over a second behind the mark of title holder Jeremy Wariner who was unchallenged throughout the race.

The American eased in the last 50m to win in 44.34secs, with Chris Brown of the Bahamas second in 44.52 and Trinidad’s Ato Modibo clocking 45.12 for third.

In the 200m semis, Paul Hession also gave his very best but also found the strength of the opposition far too much.

Hession did not fade down the home straight, the powerhouses ahead of him just drew away to leave him sixth in a time of 20.50.

Tyson Gay set himself up nicely for a sprint double by winning the heat in exactly 20 seconds.

Mary Cullen gave it everything she had in the 5000m heats but never lived with the pace when her more talented rivals speeded up over the last four laps.

Cullen faded to 11th in 15minutes 40.53secs as Ethiopia’s world record holder Meseret Defar led home the qualifiers in 15:10:13secs.