Athletics: Irish newsThe long break from competitive athletics clearly went against Derval O'Rourke last night when she finished fourth in the 60 metres hurdles at the Athens indoor international meeting - her time of 8.09 seconds well outside her best of 7.84.

Yet it was O'Rourke's first race since the World Championships in Osaka last summer, and there is no doubt much room for improvement, although she has now less than a month to go before she defends her world indoor title in Valencia.

Despite a good start, O'Rourke struggled over the closing hurdles and saw the win go to the American Damu Cherry, who clocked 7.94 seconds.

Lucena Golding-Clarke of Jamaica was second in 7.98 with the other American, Kellie Wells, third in 8.06, fractionally ahead of the Corkwoman.

O'Rourke ran the national record of 7.84 to win the World Indoor gold in Moscow two years ago, and will likely need to repeat that kind of time in Valencia to even get into the medals on March 8th.

However, having missed almost two weeks recently with a foot injury, she can clearly improve on last night's performance, and will race again in Leipzig, Germany, on Sunday.

It's worth noting that she started her 2006 season with a similar time of 8.02 seconds.