Paul McKee returned to action after a year's absence

Representing Border Harriers, the Belfast runner was seventh in the 100 metres in 10.97 and sixth in the 200 metres in a time of 21.64.

He later helped Border to second in the 4 x 100 metres relay at Sutton Arena.

It was McKee's first competitive outing since this time last year, after which he was diagnosed with an ME type virus.

McKee had been targeting a place in the final of the 400 metres at the Athens Olympics after taking the bronze medal at the distance in the World Indoors a little over two years ago.

However a protracted injury and then the virus threatened to bring a premature end to what had promised to be a brilliant career.

"I'm just glad to be back although my health is still a little up and down," McKee said.

"Some days I feel fine but other days I am not physically strong enough to do maximum intensity work.

"I guarantee that I'll take half a second off those times in the next six weeks," promised the Irish 400 metres record-holder.

The Beechmount athlete now heads for 10 days of warm weather training in Barcelona before returning to possibly compete in the AAI Games at the Ringsend facility in Dublin on 22 May.