Dream falls apart for shooting star Burnett

IT HAD that wet, sticky feeling of an Irish summer in the Chinese capital yesterday, but Derek Burnett must never have felt as far from home in all his life.

Though Olympic chiefs had learned to talk down hopes of a medal, the Longford man was the one name being whispered in the shadows as a possible podium resident on August 10.

The experience of Sydney and Athens, consistent good form, along with the experience of his backup team of Dr Peter Terry and Kevin Kilty were all pointers towards something special in these trap shooting finals.