Ryan wins over fans but Athens dream is fading fast

GARY RYAN won the admiration of the fans at the BUPA Cork City Sports on Saturday and is now hoping he can get the nod from the OCI should he post the Olympic qualifying standard between now and the Athens Games.

His whole season came down to two performances at The Mardyke.

A break in the weather saw him equal the national record for 100m with a 10.35 victory and then a downpour that left the track sluggish saw him fail in his 200m qualifying bid despite winning in 20.78 seconds from the fast-finishing fellow Irishman, Paul Hession.