Thomas Barr and Marcus Lawler starred at the Irish Universities Championships Indoor championships In Athlone IT yesterday.

Barr, representing UL, edged DCU’s Dara Kervick over 400m with a late surge in 47.22 seconds ahead of Kervick’s 47.28. They were narrowly outside the European indoor standard of 47.20 with Timmy Crowe holding off Ben Kiely for the bronze with 48.28 to 48.76.

Marcus Lawler (IT Carlow) showed a significant return to form to win the 60m in 6.83 and the 200m in 21.18. “I was third last year in the 60m and a little disappointed,” said a happy Lawler after his 60m win. “It was a big p.b. for me. I’m happy with that.”

DCU’s Steph Creaner was the star female performer when winning the 200m in 23.82 seconds. Catherine McManus also impressed in the 60m hurdles with 8.44 and a new personal best – she was narrowly behind UCD’s Sarah Lavin who edged it in a new record of 8.41.