This is a remarkable change from four years ago when no Irish woman ran inside the A standard then. The problem now of course is that Ireland can only send three women to the Olympic Marathon and it's possible that others may join the four that have ran qualifying times. Who will get dropped from the team? As far as I know, it's based on overall performances rather than the fastest qualifying time although the fastest qualifying time would seem to be the fairest way to go.
Others in action in Rotterdam were Breege Connolly of North Belfast Harriers who ran 2:40.25. Gladys Ganiel, also of North Belfast Harriers ran 2:43.46 which was slower than the 2:40:56 she ran in Houston, Texas last January. Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC ran 2:46.33.
In the mens race in Rotterdam, Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe finished 13th in a time of 2:15. 27 - just 25 seconds outside the men's Olympic A standard of 2:15. Sean Connolly of Tallaght was 22nd in 2:16.42, Gary Thornton of GCH 28th in 2:17.27, Tom Frazer of St Malachy's 35th in 2:20.00.
In Paris, Alan O'Shea of Bantry AC ran 2:21:56 and Lorraine Manning of Raheny ran 2:46:43 to finish in 13th place.