Coghlan returns to form

Mark Carroll and Peter Coghlan both made notable progress over the weekend as the indoor season enters its more competitive period. But it was Daniel Caulfield who perhaps made the most significant return to the form.

Caulfield won the 800 metres at the Terrier Classic in Boston University, clocking a season's best of one minute 48.60 seconds. He held off the challenge of the leading American Trinity Gray, while Carroll came from last to third on the final lap to clock 1:48.93.

Coghlan was also in action on Saturday at the Tennessee Invitational, where he won the 60metre hurdles in 7.85 seconds.

"It wasn't the most perfect run but I'm definitely heading in the right direction," said Coghlan. Karen Shinkins finished a close second over 400 metres. Her time of 53.36 seconds is fast approaching her Irish record of 52.80.

At the British AAA Championships in Birmingham, there were four Irish victories - two of which produced in National Records. Cork's Robert Heffernan and Kerry's Gillian O'Sullivan - both part of the Irish team in Sydney - defended the 3 km walk titles, with Heffernan clocking 11:19.27 (improving his own mark of 11:38.29) and O'Sullivan an equally impressive 12:23.45 (also improving her own mark of 12:28.97).

Maria Lynch of Dundrum, South Dublin took the 3,000 metres in 9:35.90, while Freda Davoran of UCC won the 1,500-metre gold in 4:19.85.