Brian Gregan had to settle for sixth place in the final of the men's 400m at the European Championships in Helsinki.
He had been in the medals, but faded in the closing stages.
The Clonliffe Harriers runner was visibly hurt and his body language suggested he had sustained a groin injury during the race.
A devastated Gregan said afterwards: “I am devastated with that. I felt the groin go around 80m into the race.
“I pushed on for the next 300m before succumbing. If it hadn’t been for the injury I know I would have got a medal. I had no injury worries coming into the race, so it is just so unlucky.”
Earlier, Jessie Barr never landed a blow in the 400m hurdles final, finishing last behind Irina Davydova of Russia.
Barr clocked a disappointing 56.83 seconds, almost a full second outside the personal best she set in Thursday’s semi-final.
“I am gutted with that,” Barr said.
