McKee scorches home in record time to take national title

PAUL McKEE took advantage of ideal conditions for sprinting to set an Irish record in the 400m at the National Championships in Santry.

The Beechmount Harriers athlete broke a 16-year-old record with a 45.62 run a month ago and yesterday stormed home in 45.58.

Antoine Burke, who won a silver medal in the high jump at the world junior championships eight years ago, threatened McKee on the back straight but it Robert Daly (DSD) who came through to take second in 46.76. Burke came third in 46.88. Daly will replace Tomás Coman in the 4x400 relay squad in Munich. This will be his first major championship since the world juniors.