McCambridge and O’Rourke bow out

IRELAND’S interest in the world championships in Helsinki ended last night with the elimination of Maria McCambridge (5,000m) and Derval O’Rourke (100m hurdles).

Following a lightning fast first heat won by Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia), the newly crowned 10,000m champion, in 14:50.98 - it was always going to be difficult for Maria McCambridge, who finished 14th in 16:05.44 in her heat.

McCambridge could offer no explanation for her poor performance which was won by another Ethiopian, Meseret Defar, in 15:13.52 from the other Dibaba sister, Ejegayehu, 15:14.33.