Gareth Turnbull put in the performance of the day at the Irish National Championships at Morton Stadium today, holding off a late challenge from James Nolan to cement his place as Ireland's leading 1500 metre runner.
The Belfast man will now travel to Paris, in place of Nolan, to compete in the World Championships.
The race began at a lightning pace thanks to the pacemaking of Conor Sweeney. Turnbull settled into second a few yards back, guarded closely by Nolan.
Nolan was poised for glory when Sweeney faded with a lap to run and the race looked his for the taking 100 metres from the finish but Turnbull turned in a heroic display and hauled his rival back on the line to win by a mere 0.15 seconds in time of 3:40:32.
Beechmount Harriers' Paul McKee ran another blistering race as he took the 400m crown in a time of 46.43, the fourth fastest time this year.
David Gillick finished in second spot with the fancied Davis McCarthy in third.
The familiar frame of Sonia O'Sullivan was typically prominent as she produced a late burst over the final 200m to take the 5,000m in a time of 15:25 ahead of Maria McMahon-Davenport of Marian's.
Karen Shinkins found good form again by winning the 400m in a time of 52.58 ahead of Kilkenny's Joanne Cuddihy, who set a junior record time of 53.05.
As ever Terry McHugh was at the forefront of his field as he took his 20th consecutive national javelin title with a throw of 71.45 metres, an achievement that cannot be bettered worldwide.
Men: 200m Paul Brizzel (Ballymena & Antrim), 400m Paul McKee (Beechmount Hrs), 1500m Gareth Turnbull (St Malachy's), 5000m /10000m Cathal Lombard (Leevale), 110m Hurdles Peter Coghlan (Crusaders), 50km Walk Jamie Costin (West Waterford), 4x400m relay Paul McKee, David Gillick (DSD), David McCarthy (Celbridge), Paul Opperman (DSD), Gary Ryan (Nenagh Olympic), Paul Brizzel.
Women: 400m Karen Shinkins (DCH), 5000m Sonia O'Sullivan (Ballymore/Cobh), 10000m Marie Davenport (Marian), 100m Hurdles Derval O'Rourke (UCD), 20km Walk Gillian O'Sullivan (Farranfore), 20km Walk Olive Loughnane (Loughrea).