Fionnuala McCormack finished ninth in the women's marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
It was McCormack's best run in an international marathon, finishing in 2:30:16.
McCormack had no idea of of her ninth place finish until she crossed the line and saw the board.
"I was pleasantly surprised," said McCormack, speaking after the race.
"Usually I feel like I have to come back to redeem myself but this time I don't really feel like that."
Nicola Tuthill threw an impressive 70.70m to progress to the women’s hammer throw to qualify for the final.
And on the track, Andrew Coscoran finished sixth in his 1500m heat in a time of 3:37.32 to progress to the semi-finals, while Sarah Lavin took third in the 100m hurdles Heat in a time of 12.94, and also advances to the penultimate stage.
"Luckily, I stayed clear of the carnage and scraped through in sixth," said Coscoran. "Hopefully I'll come into my own in the semis."
No such joy for Cathal Doyle in his 1500m heat, finishing 12th in 3:42.60.
Still to come on Sunday from Tokyo, Sharlene Mawdsley and Sophie Becker will compete in the 400m heats, Sophie O’Sullivan and Sarah Healy will race the 1500m semi-final, while Efrem Gidey goes in the men's 10,000m final.
Watch the World Athletics Championships on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Sunday from 10.30am
