Madrid - special to Irish Runner.com by Arran Hussey

In contrast to Gillick's surprise gold medal performance, Ireland's Alistair Cragg entered the 3,000m final as the odds on pick for first across the line.

Pre-race favourite Alistair Cragg won Ireland's second gold of the evening in a commanding manner. He took early charge of the 3,000m, the event in which he holds the world leading time for this year, and never looked troubled. Teammate Mark Carroll shared the early work with the pair swapping the lead with Carroll cross the kilometre mark in 2.35.50. Shortly after that he faded back to fifth place later dropping further down the field. Cragg and Carroll had planned to take the race out at a hard pace so as to neutralise the threat of the 1,500m specialist Reyes Estévez outkicking them at the close. Cragg took over the lead looking extremely relaxed as he crossed the 2,000m mark in 5.13.75. In the end Estevez never threatened Cragg's lead the Irishman winning in a time of 7.46.37 with kilometre splits of 2.35.5, 2.38.3 and 2.32.6.

Great Britain's John Mayock made up ground towards the end of the race to steal a silver medal in 7.51.46 with Estevez third in 7 minutes 51.65 seconds.

After the race Cragg was quick to praise Mark Carroll, "Mark has helped me so much not just out there in the race but with advice this week. I wanted him to get a medal too. On a good day he would have been up there at the end but it wasn't to be. Half the victory goes to Mark."

The University of Arkansas grad suggested that the conditions in the stadium may have hampered his Spanish rival. He noted, "Estevez is such a good runner and he was a brave man to double up but I think the heat hurt him more then he expected. It was really, really hot out there." Cragg noted, "It was my first good run in Irish colours and hopefully there will be many more." He admitted that he hadn't given the upcoming World Cross Country Championship much thought in recent time and would have to turn his attention to the event in the next day or two."

When the considerable press corps asked Cragg about the race he commented, "I can't say that I've set a pace according to a plan, because finals are drier than any plan or tactics. I feel sorry for Estévez, who wanted to get a double winning on home soil. Anyway he's a brave man and I wish him all the best in the 1500-metre. He can do it! I love this atmosphere, these are the best championships I've ever been in!"

2005 Madrid European Indoor Athletics Championships website