However other excellent Irish performances, especially from Paul Hession in winning a top quality 200 metres and from Joanne Cuddihy in taking the women's 400 metres, made amends with the wind also somewhat of a spoilsport.

But it was a highly disappointing for local supporters after watching Gillick walk away from the start of the 400 metres after being disqualified for a second false start and a few minutes later O'Rourke trailed home third in the 100 metres hurdles.

O'Rourke was a very unhappy athlete and seemed frustrated at her experience at the start. "I was still getting into the start position when the gun went and I must have been left about two metres behind, " said a highly disappointed O'Rourke.

"As a result I was chasing them all the way and there is no way that I would expect to win a sprint race when you give them a start like that. It's very disappointing because I was ready to run, I know that."

O'Rourke was geared up to gain revenge on England's Sarah Claxton but as it happened she repeated her success in a time of 13.04 seconds with Toyin Augustus of Nigeria second in 13.05 and O'Rourke third in 13.13. "I ran 13 seconds flat in Finland last week and felt comfortable. Today I was chasing it all the way and just never got into my true form. Right now I just want to try and put this behind me and get on with the rest of the season."

Gillick was beside himself in disappointment after suffering automatic disqualification when he false started after the entire field were under a final warning. "I'm just absolutely gutted and so disappointed and feel as if I have let the people down, " said Gillick as he walked out of the arena.

"I have never before been disqualified and cannot believe it has happened to me but I knew instantly when I came off the blocks that I was at fault and just could not believe that I had made such a mistake. It all happened so quickly and it was over in a split second. I was so ready to race that my enthusiasm probably got the better of me."

What annoyed Gillick even more was the fact that the race was won by Ato Motibo of Trinidad and Tobago in 46.44, more than a full second outside his recently set Irish record of 45.23.

Cuddihy had every reason to be delighted with her victory as the lanky Kilkenny star took a couple of prized scalps, including a top Russian, Elana Migunova.

Meanwhile, Hession ran a superb race to win the 200m in 20.43, which was well inside the 20.54 Irish record, but the wind reading of 4.7 was well over the limit.