Cragg is targeting place in top eight

ALISTAIR CRAGG ends a 16-year barren spell in Irish men's athletics when he lines up for the 5,000m final in the Olympic Stadium tonight.

Marcus O'Sullivan and John Doherty's outings in the 1,500m and 5,000m respectively in Seoul were the last times when Irish males were represented in Olympic track finals.

Now the 24-year-old South African-born runner has bridged that gap and will, according to coach John McDonnell, create a new Irish distance racing dynasty.