Kelly McNeice ran her second personal best (PB) in consecutive races to finish 11th in the final of the 1500 metres at the Commonwealth Games held in Manchester. McNeice, who was representing Northern Ireland today also competes internationally - under rules introduced following the Good Friday agreement - for the Republic as well. The 24-year-old Lisburn native improved her best by four seconds to 4.16.46. She said, "I'm delighted. The 800 metres is my main event. This made up for the disappointment of not making the 800m final." She also ran a PB (4.18.45) to make the final, as a fastest loser. In the aforementioned 800m qualifying race, McNeice ran a dreadful 2.06.68 placing last in her heat.

Teammate Colm McLean, who also competes for both the Republic and Northern Ireland, was 12th in the men's 1500m 3.51.90. Unlike McNeice the 22-year-old St Malachy's grad is a specialist 1500-metre runner. He performed below his best and explained, "I've been out injured for 10 days after I ran my PB earlier in the season and I haven't really felt fully right since." McLean ran 3.45.72 to advance to the final.

Teresa (Duffy) McCluskey placed fifth in the women's marathon in 2.40.29.

Paul McKee (Beechmount AC) placed 4th in the opening round of the 400m running 47.02. He ran 46.47 in Round 2 placing 4th in the 4th Heat. In the semifinal, McKee ran 45.91 for 7th place in heat 1 of 2.

Pat Davoren (Brighton-Phoenix) placed 9th in the 3,000m steeplechase in 8.44.43.

Eva Massey threw 14.27 in the qualifying round of the shot putt and did not advance.

The oft-Irish Taneisha Scanlon placed 7th with a leap of 12.98m (+0.8) in the triple jump.

In the 800m, James McIllroy ran 1.49.21 (2nd, Heat 4 of 4) to easily advance to the semifinals where he ran 1.46.93 (3rd, Heat 1). In the final, the Irish expatriate ran 1.47.77 for 6th place.

Thanks to Arran Hussey for this report.