Cragg narrowly misses medal in Moscow

Athletics: Ireland’s Alistair Cragg finished an impressive fourth in a star-studded 3,000m final field at the world indoors …

Athletics: Ireland's Alistair Cragg finished an impressive fourth in a star-studded 3,000m final field at the world indoors in Moscow this afternoon.

In his eagerness to set the early pace Cragg false started but at the second attempt the South African-born runner made the running early on.

Cragg was tracked all the way however and was eventually overtaken by eventual winner Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia.

Qatar's Saif Saaeed Shaheen finished second, while Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge was third.

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Cragg crossed the line in a time of seven minutes 46.43 seconds, just under seven seconds behind Bekele.

The result is a very positive one for Cragg ahead of the European Championships, and after recent disappointing results in early season.

Cragg’s success comes after a gold medal winning performance from Derval O’Rourke in the 60m hurdles yesterday.  James Nolan finished sixth in 1500m, while Maria McCambridge came 10th in the women’s 3,000m.

The team will arrive back in Dublin tommorrow night from Moscow.