Athletics: Mayock proves his class with Irish success

John Mayock ran the second-fastest time over 1500 metres by a British athlete this summer to finish second at the City Games in Cork yesterday.

Mayock, omitted from the English Commonwealth Games 1500m team, won in 3 minutes 38.84 seconds, behind Kenya's Shadrack Korir and ahead of Ali Maataoui of Morocco. Only Andrew Graffin has run faster over the distance this year, and, while Mayock will not run in the 1500m in Manchester, he will compete in the 5,000m.

There was a strong contingent of British athletes at the Irish meeting, but it was the home-grown Sonia O'Sullivan who produced the most popular victory. Six days after a brilliant 3,000m victory in the Sheffield IAAF Grand Prix meeting, the Olympic 5,000m silver medallist cruised to an easy victory in 8min 38.99sec.

Allen Graffin was the first Briton home in the 5,000m, finishing eighth, with Kenyans taking the first three places.