As a junior in Ireland, Martin Fagan's success on the track and in cross country earned him the dubious accolade of being a young runner with 'limitless' potential writes Tim O'Dowd.

He followed in the footsteps of John Treacy, Mark Carroll and Keith Kelly accepting a scholarship to Providence College in America.

Like many first year collegians, Irish or otherwise, Fagan had some trouble adapting. His first season was by no means disastrous but could not be mistaken for triumphant either.

Fagan was haunted by the ghost of a brilliant 3,000-metre performance he ran before he came to America. The Mullingar Harrier ran 8.12.17 at the 2001 Morton Memorial meeting on 13th July. Every single race that he would run from that day on would be compared to that phenomenal 3k feat.

During Fagan's first year at Providence, Keith Kelly, who graduated from PC the year before mentored the young lad, sessions which admittedly at times were quite heated. Kelly, now an assistant coach is reaping the fruits of his labour.

When asked about Fagan during his inaugural season, his coach Ray Treacy said, "Be patient, he'll come around." To say Treacy was spot on would be a massive understatement.

Last season, Fagan ran impressive personal bests of 13.56.82 (5k), 28.59.89 (10k) and just to make sure there are no lingering ghouls, he ran 8.04.19 for 3,000 metres in July, in Ireland!

Wearing the green vest of Ireland, Fagan finished fourth in the 5,000m (14.16.28) and fifth in the 10,000m (29.39.20) at the 2005 European Athletics U-23 Championships in Erfurt, Germany in July. He culminated his season winning his first individual Irish Championship in the end of July when he won the 5,000m title in a tactical 14.11.44.

Nary a respite, the Westmeath man began training for the draining US collegiate cross country season.

Fagan placed 7th at the Roy Griak Invitational held in Falcon Heights, Minnesota covering the 8-kilometre course in 24.25. He improved more than 30 seconds and 17 spots overall from last year's event. Given it was the first meet of the cross country campaign in late September; it was an admirable but not particularly noteworthy effort.

On Saturday, 15th October at the Penn State Open meet in University Park, Pennsylvania, more than a few fanatical Friar Fans and athletics followers in Ireland became aware of Martin Fagan. Fagan immediately went to the front in the men's race, nothing new here; it's a tactic that usually blew up in Fagan's face. This time was different. The usually poker-faced Treacy mentioned before the race that he thought Fagan was ready for something special.

Fagan took a lead he would never relinquish. The 22-year-old from Mullingar covered the 5.2-mile course in 24.56, the second fastest time ever on the Penn State White course just behind Erick Mack's (Air Force Academy) course record of 24.54 set in 1995.

American University coach Matt Centrowitz, a former US record holder in the 5,000m (13.12.91 - 1982) witnessed his almost effortless 25-second win with awe. Centrowitz asked me, "What are his track bests?" After hearing his times and my comment that Fagan has made a breakthrough, he commented, "I'd say so! That was an amazing display."

If collegiate cross country coaches and competitors took notice of his Penn State race, then after his Big East victory a fortnight later they started to stare.

The 2005 Big East Cross Championships were held at on the hallowed ground of Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, New York. A course that has hosted decades of cross country champions and serves as the barometer of harrier greatness on America's east coast.

To break the 26-minute barrier on the famed 5-mile/8k course means you are talented. To crack 25-minutes qualifies you as exceptional and a potential All-American at the NCAA Championships. To run under 24-minutes, you are immortalised.

In winning the Big East, Martin Fagan was timed in 23.48, recording the fastest collegiate time on the most celebrated cross country course in the US and breaking a 27-year old record.

"It was a grand race," Fagan said. "I knew I had to run hard to break the guys early and it worked. At two miles I knew I was in good shape."

"Martin's run was unreal," Ray Treacy said. "We knew he was in great shape, but we did not think he would set a course record at one of the most storied courses in the country."

Just how good is Martin Fagan? He shattered the course record of 23.51 held by Dave Merrick (University of Pennsylvania) and Eric Carter (Penn State).

Just how fast is Fagan on VCP from an Irish perspective? World Cross Country Gold Medallist John Treacy ran 24.39; Keith Kelly, 2001 NCAA Individual Cross Country Champion ran 24.27; Irish 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m record holder Mark Carroll ran 24.30; Providence coach Ray Treacy ran 24.30 and Irish 3,000m steeplechase record holder Brendan Quinn ran 24.26 at Van Cortlandt.

Fagan has two and hopefully three more races left during this remarkable season. This Saturday is the NCAA Northeast Region Championships to be held at another historic course - Franklin Park in Boston. He will face Mick Byrne-coached Richard Kiplagat (Iona College) who ran 23.54.4 at Van Cortlandt Park course in late September. After that, he competes in the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana on 21st November. With credentials this impressive, the selectors in Ireland should no doubt find a spot for him on the Irish team headed to Tilburg in December for the European Cross Championships.

The time for running fast times has passed. It is now time to win races. How good is Martin Fagan? Time will tell.