O'Rourke just misses out on medal in Indoor Championships

Derval O'Rourke finished a very credible fourth in this evening's 60 metres hurdles final at the European Indoor Championships in Paris.

Despite being drawn in lane eight, O'Rourke was still able to run a season's best of 7.96 seconds in what was a high quality race.

Carolin Nytra became the first German winner of the event since 1988 when she stormed home in 7.80 seconds, the best time in Europe this year.

The American-born Tiffany Ofili, who is now representing Britain, clocked the exact same time, but lost out by thousandths of a second.

Norway's Christina Vukicevic set a new national record of 7.83 to win the bronze medal, with O'Rourke behind her.

The Cork woman will be greatly encouraged by her efforts today, especially considering her disrupted build-up to the Championships.

A groin injury saw her miss the recent Irish Indoors in Belfast and meets in Germany and England.

Speaking afterwards, she said: "I'm not disappointed with how I did. I've hurdled twice in the last three weeks, so to run sub-eight seconds twice today...I'll take that.

"Of course, finishing fourth is a terrible position. It was 50-50 whether I'd be here after I did a little tear on my groin three weeks ago.

"I just rehabbed and really tried to make it here. The girls are unbelievably fast, but I looked at the times and didn't think they'd go as quick.

"Fourth at a majors. I'm disappointed because I felt I could make the podium. But it's something to build on for the rest of the year."