Ireland’s Mark Carroll finished sixth behind Alberta Garcia of Spain in today’s 5000m final at the European Championships in Munich.
Garcia, adding to the European indoor 3000m crown he won in March, pulled away over the closing 100m to win in 13:38.18 from Frenchman Ismail Sghyr with Ukraine's Sergiy Lebid third.
Carroll looked strong when reeling in the breakaway group of five runners with 1000m to run but was found wanting when Gracia applied his finishing kick close home. The Leevale athlete did, however, improve on his seasons best.
Earlier, Wilson Kipketer crowned a remarkable comeback with an impressive victory in the men's 800 metres final.
The Kenyan-born Dane, who did not compete at all last year because of a foot fracture, was never really challenged before crossing the line in one minute 47.25 seconds.
World champion Andre Bucher of Switzerland outsprinted Olympic champion Nils Schumann of Germany for the silver medal in 1:47.43.
Dwain Chambers anchored Britain to an expected victory in the men's 4x100 metres relay. Britain defended their title with a winning time of 38.19 seconds. Ukraine and Poland took silver and bronze.
France retained the women's 4x100 metres title in a time of 42.46 seconds, beating traditional rivals Germany and Russia into second and third.
Men's 5000m Final
1. Alberta Garcia (Spain) 13:38.18
2. Ismail Sghyr (France) 13:39.81
3. Sergiy Lebid (Ukraine) 13:40.00
4. Roberto Garcia (Spain) 13:40.85
5. Kamiel Maase (Netherlands) 13:41.42
6. Mark Carroll (Ireland) 13:42.87
7. Balazs Csillag (Hungary) 13:49.03
8. Salvatore Vincenti (Italy) 13:50.53
9. Sam Haughian (Britain) 13:50.75
10. Michele Gamba (Italy) 13:53.28
11. Jesus Espana (Spain) 13:55.80
12. Christian Belz (Switzerland) 13:56.69
13. Tom Compernolle (Belgium) 13:57.46
14. Marius Bakken (Norway) 13:57.89
15. Erik Sjoqvist (Sweden) 13:57.96
16. Rachid Chekhemani (France) 13:59.75
17. Mikhayil Yeginov (Russia) 14:05.45
18. Gennaro Di Napoli (Italy) 14:08.19
19. Michael May (Germany) 14:12.01
20. Dalibor Balgae (Croatia) 14:14.55
21. Joakim Johansson (Sweden) 14:22.98
Hassan Lahssini (France) DNF