McGettigan impresses in London win

Beijing-bound Roisin McGettigan claimed a notable victory in the 3,000 metres steeplechase at tonight's Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace.

The Wicklow woman hit the line in 9 minutes, 33.76 seconds to gain a confidence-boosting win ahead of her first Olympics next month.

McGettigan stuck behind Britain's Helen Clitheroe and Ancuta Bobocel of Romania early on, with the latter taking the field through 1,000m (3:10.23) and 2,000m (6:24.28) in a tactical race.

By the start of the final lap, McGettigan and Bobocel had put some distance between themselves and the main field, with only Jamaica's Korine Hinds still in touch.

Evidently, the front-running had taken its toll on Bobocel and off the water jump McGettigan was able to stretch ahead, taking a five-metre lead into the final bend.

The 27-year-old powered ahead off the final hurdle to finish in a time which was marginally outside her season's best (9:30.56), set in Athens two weeks ago.

McGettigan's Sli Chualann club-mate Fionnuala Britton, in her final race before Beijing, finished eighth in a time of 9:45.82, while the experienced Una English came home in eleventh place (10:09.63).

Speaking afterwards, McGettigan said: "I'm happy to get the win, delighted really. I was hoping for a little bit faster but the race didn't develop like that.

"I'd like to go a lot faster. I felt very comfortable but didn't want to push it - hopefully I can put together some fast times in Beijing.

"I'm hoping to make the final (out there) and get a fast time," added the recently-crowned Irish 1500m champion.

McGettigan and her Ireland team colleagues will travel out to their pre-Olympics base camp in Japan next Friday.

Meanwhile, Arklow woman Deirdre Byrne failed in her last-gasp bid to achieve the 'A' qualifying standard for the Olympics.

Competing in the 1,500m at Crystal Palace, Byrne clocked a disappointing 4 minutes, 14.25 seconds for a ninth place finish - she needed to dip under 4:07 or at least beat the 'B' standard of 4:08 to stand a chance of a late call-up for Beijing.

Just last weekend, Byrne ran a personal best time of 4:08.53 in Heusden, Belgium but tonight's race did not go to plan for her. Britain's Lisa Dobriskey took the win in 4:08.97.