There were mixed results for the Irish men and women at the European Athletics Cup this weekend but for the men, the last place finish at their First League competition in Vaasa, Finland was undoubtedly below expectations. They concluded the two-day event yesterday without a single victory, leaving them last of the eight competing nations in one of the two relegation places. Best of the placings yesterday was Peter Coghlan, who came second on the 110 metres hurdles in 13.54 seconds, along with Daniel Caulfield, who finished fourth in the 800 metres in one minute 48.59 seconds. Seamus Power was well outside his target when finishing seventh in the 3,000 metres (8:21.25).

Saturday afternoon produced a rare bright moment through the determined running of James Nolan in the 1,500 metres; he was out-leaned by Rui Silva, Portugal's World Indoor champion, by a fraction of a second - 3:43.25 to 3:43.46.

For the women, the eight victories in total over the two days still left them just short of promotion from their Second League Group A, which concluded in Riga, Latvia on Saturday. Norway took first position (136.5 points) and hosts Latvia sneaked second on 131, with Ireland in third on 129. Sarah Reilly won the 200 metres in 23.50 seconds, and that was followed by Freda Davoren's 1,500 metres victory in 4:12.001.

Fellow Cork runner Dervla O'Rourke won the 100 metre hurdles in 13.65 and the Irish then finished on a high by winning the 4x400 metre relay in 3:37.60. Meanwhile, Sonia O'Sullivan won the Ballycotton 10 mile road race in 55 minutes 37 seconds yesterday. Noel Berkeley took his fifth title when winning the men's race in 49:54.

Women's Second League Group A European Cup, Riga, Latvia: Final team placings - 1 Norway 136.5, 2 Latvia 131, 3 Ireland 129, 4 Eston ia 116.5, 5 Denmark 115, 5 Maldova 97, 6 Georgia 44, Luxemberg 43, Armenia 32.