Sports Roundup Ankle injury forces McKiernan to withdraw from Belfast race
February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mark Jones
DUBLIN — One of Ireland’s main Olympic medal hopefuls, Catherina McKiernan, was forced to withdraw from last weekend’s cross-country international in Belfast due to an injured ankle and England’s Paula Radcliffe took full advantage to record her third victory in the event.
The ankle problem is the latest in a series of setbacks that have dogged McKiernan since her first serious injury in the Amsterdam Marathon nearly 15 months ago. Although the ankle damage is not believed to be of great concern, it has certainly curtailed the athlete’s preparations for the London Marathon in April.
Radcliffe covered the 4.8k circuit in 17 minutes and 18 seconds to finish five seconds clear of Ethiopia’s Ayelech Worku. Meanwhile, the emerging Kenyan Patrick Ivuti won the men’s race over 8k in 24:55.
"The most frustrating aspect of the whole thing," said McKiernan, "is that I had worked hard to get myself in the kind of condition to win and now my great fear is that if I’m out for any length of time, I’ll lose that fitness."
Carroll blazes sub-3:55
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Mark Carroll broke the meet record for the mile at the New Balance Games in Armory, N.Y., last Saturday to earn himself $12,000. Carroll’s time of 3:54.98 was nearly three seconds faster than the previous record and secured him a bonus of $10,000 to go with his first prize of $2,000.
The Cork athlete was well clear of Richie Boulet in second with 3:57, while Paul McMullen took third place in 3:57.88.
O’Brien lifts Cork City
Liam O’Brien gave Cork City an FAI Cup lifeline a with an equalizing goal in the 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers at the Morton Stadium last Sunday. The Cup’s main second round game seemed to be going Rovers’ way when O’Brien came off the bench with 20 minutes to go and scored with is first touch.
Holders Bray Wanderers also earned a 1-1 draw away to Derry City, while Bohemians and UCD both progressed to the next round at the expense of Cobh Ramblers and Monaghan United, respectively. Sligo Rovers were the main casualties when they were beaten 1-0 by junior club Bluebell United at the Showgrounds.