The 25-year-old local hero was having her first race since winning the World Indoor Championship title 16 weeks ago came through in the second half of the race to finish second in a time of 12.96 seconds which equalled her own record she set three years ago.

"I felt so rusty at the start that I was just left in the blocks and spent the rest of the race catching up, " O'Rourke said after finishing behind British star, Sarah Claxton, the winner in 12.93. "I know that with another race under my belt I will run a lot faster. It's never easy to come in cold for a race like this, especially in front of your home crowd. I suppose it was natural that I felt a bit of pressure but considering everything I have to be happy with that."

The expected fireworks by Alistair Cragg in the 3,000 metres did not materialise as he switched to the 1,500m and finished third in a time of 3:40.71 with victory going to the notable Kenyan, Laban Rotich, in 3:39.98 following a blazing last 120 metres. Cragg made the switch from the 3,000m after suffering a loss of form following a bout of flu some 10 days ago. "My coach felt that it was important not to have a bad start to the season and it would be more advisable to run the shorter race, " Cragg said afterwards.

It was a pity that Cragg was not in the 3,000 metres as it would have added to the excitement. The finish was a thriller with Canadian, Kevin Sullivan, getting up in the last two strides to win in 8:53.

Joanne Cuddihy again underlined her rich potential when the Kilkenny woman clocked her second fastest time ever of 52.20 seconds when finishing a fighting third in the 400 metres that was won by the strong Russian, Tatiana Veshkurova. Aoife Byrne put up a great fight in the women's 1,500m when finishing a close second to the Ethiopian, Mestawol Tadesse.

Paul Hession of Galway was an Irish winner when he took the 200m in 20.78 seconds after a great battle on the home straight, with David Gillick 6th in 21.60. Benita Johnson of Australia was denied victory in the women's 3,000 metres by the sprightly Ethiopian, Aheza Kiros.