Alan O'Brien made the best of his opportunity when he was thrown in at the deep end of the European Team Championship in Slovakia yesterday, collect maximum points for the Irish team with victory in the 1,500 metres. O'Brien was a late replacement for Liam Reale. The 26-year-old Crusaders clubman took the scalps of more experienced opponents in Slavko Petrovic of Croatia and Felis Kernbichler of Austria, winning in a blanket finish in 3:50.17.

Ireland's other individual winner, Fionnuala Britton, was drafted in for Roisin McGettigan in the 3,000m Steeplechase and she made the best of her opportunity to win handsomely. Jason Smyth showed his competitiveness when he ran the fastest 100m of his career, finishing fifth in 10.51 seconds. There was also a PB for Mary McLoone of Tir Chonaill in the triple jump when she recorded 12.47m but this was only good enough for fifth. Kerry Harty was just edged out of victory in the women's 3,000m by Inna Poluskina (Latvia) in 9:09.00 to 9:09.45. Mark Hanrahan of Leevale also took second in the men's 5,000m.