Sonia has to settle for bronze medals

SONIA O’SULLIVAN tried to duplicate her performance of 2000 when she doubled up at 800m and 1,500m but she ended up with two bronze medals at the Woodies DIY national championships at Morton Stadium on what was a poor weekend for Ireland’s Olympians.

Leading medal hope, Gillian O’Sullivan, was disqualified after finishing almost a minute clear of Olive Loughnane in the 5,000m walk and did nothing to allay recent fears about her fitness.

The problem with her technique is the result of a problem with her lower back but it appears to be slow to respond to treatment.

Olive Loughnane will be happy with her performance while the other two Olympic walkers, Robert Heffernan and Jamie Costin, who was almost two minutes inside his previous best time when second to the Togher man, could hardly have been moreimpressive.

But Sonia O’Sullivan left Santry with a big question mark over her. Young Dubliner Aoife Byrne reclaimed the 800m title with a 2:06.40 run that left Sonia O’Sullivan losing out to defending champion, Kelly McNiece Reid for second.

The Olympic silver medallist telephoned her coach, Alan Storey, and they decided she would attempt the 1,500m as well, but the task here was even more difficult as Freda Davoren (UCC), on the crest of a wave at the moment, took control of the race and sprinted clear of the defending champion, Roisin McGettigan, to win a tactical contest in 4:20.98.

O’Sullivan got up for third place in 4:22.58 ahead of Sinead Delahunty.

Good news came in the shape of Derval O’Rourke (Leevale) turned in a smooth performance to retain her 100m hurdles title. And, while Paul Brizzel lost out to young Paul Hession in the 200m on Saturday, he bounced back to win the 100m title yesterday.

James Nolan, who has qualified at 1,500m, won his second 800m title and declared himself ready to run some fast 1,500m races.

He has had treatment for his hip and it has worked a dream, while Alistair Cragg won his first Irish title in the 1,500m.

High jumper, Adrian O’Dwyer, who pulled of the championships with an ankle injury, yesterday declared himself fully fit again and ready to jump. Mark Carroll reproduced his old sparkle in the 5,000m and finished third in the 1,500m.