Injury scare for O'Rourke

Derval O'Rourke's final preparations for next month's Olympics in Beijing have been hampered by a groin injury, which forced her out of yesterday's 100 metres hurdles at the Aviva London Grand Prix.

O'Rourke retained her national title in Santry last Sunday but a groin problem surfaced in the subsequent days and despite intensive treatment, she had to withdraw from the Crystal Palace meet.

The Cork woman, who also has an entry in Tuesday's Grand Prix event in Monaco, is due to have an MRI scan today to determine the extent of the injury.

Fortunately she does have time on her side as the 100m hurdles heats in Beijing do not get underway until Sunday, August 17.

O'Rourke is the third Irish athlete to pick up an injury in the final weeks before the Games.

400m hope Joanne Cuddihy has been dogged by injury this summer. The Kilkenny youngster had back problems, then a knee injury surfaced and now a calf muscle strain is threatening to cancel her Olympic debut.

A knee problem also prevented hammer champion Eileen O'Keeffe from competing at Friday's Morton Memorial meet.

Irish team manager Patsy McGonagle is hopeful that all three will pull through and be fully fit for the Games.

Cuddihy's 400m heats are on Saturday, August 16, while O'Keeffe is not due in the Olympic hammer cage until Monday, August 18.