Derval O'Rourke pulled another top drawer performance out of the bag to win a precious silver medal in tonight's 100m hurdles at the European Championships in Barcelona.
As she did in Gothenburg four years ago, O'Rourke struck European silver to once again show her class as an Irish athlete that consistently delivers on the big stage.
The Cork woman, coached by Sean and Terri Cahill, set a new national record of 12.65 seconds just behind gold medallist Nevin Yanit of Turkey (12.63). Both got the better of Germany's Championship favourite Carolin Nytra who won bronze in 12.68.
Thundering out of lane seven, O'Rourke quickly put herself in the medal mix, attacking the hurdles with vigour, and with a strong closing 50 metres, she managed to outdip Nytra for the silver.
The 29-year-old ran two world class races in the space of 80 minutes, with her semi-final run of 12.75 a then season's best.
Speaking after the final, a delighted O'Rourke said: "I'm really happy, I would love to have won and I just was two hundredths away from gold but I can't complain as I ran the fastest race of my life and beat the Irish record.
"Anything that gets the Irish flag out there is brilliant! There's a lot of Irish out here supporting me. There was pressure yeah, but I kept thinking it's just you racing the girls."
O'Rourke's career haul now includes a World indoor gold, two European outdoor silvers and a European indoor bronze.
Makes you feel really proud.
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