Derrywoman Aileen Morrison second in World Triathlon event

Derry woman Aileen Morrison produced a superb performance to take second place at the latest round of the World Triathlon Series in Madrid.

Morrison finished only four seconds behind Swiss winner Nicola Spirig in the final Olympic qualifying event.

The Irish Olympic hopeful came in two seconds ahead of third-placed Barbara Riveros Diaz of Chile.

Morrison was 25 seconds off the pace after the swim but then produced brilliant bike and run performances.

The Irish woman's runner-up finish moves her up to eighth in the current world rankings and follows her second place at last month's World Cup event in Japan.

Morrison finished ahead of British competitors Vicky Holland and Liz Blatchford who took seventh and 10th places more than 40 seconds behind the Irish triathlete.

Enniskillen man Gavin Noble will be in action in the men's event in Madrid on Sunday.

Noble is currently 44th in the Olympic qualifying rankings and should confirm his London spot on Sunday.

The top 55 will qualify for the games.