Ireland's Paul McKee was the joint-fastest qualifier for the final

Belfast runner Paul McKee smashed the Irish record to qualify for the 400 metres final at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham.

In the second semi-final, McKee's Irish team-mate David McCarthy produced a stunning run to finish third and also secure a place in Sunday's final.

McKee produced the run of his life to win his semi-final in 46.24 which cut .30 off his personal best and beat Tomas Coman's national record.

The Belfastman's beaming smile as he crossed the line said it all after he had produced a superb tactical run.

McKee was in third place after the first lap but he charged past Australia's Daniel Batman and Jamie Baulch.

Amazingly, McCarthy, who clocked a personal best of 46.61, finished ahead of European champion Marek Plawgo and Spain's David Canal to claim his place in the final.

When the two boys started tying up I couldn't believe my luck Paul McKee

McKee described his new national record as a "bonus".

"I got chopped in my heat on Friday after taking the lead on the first lap so I decided today to run my own race and then run wide on the second lap," said McKee.

"I felt very strong on the back straight so I made a move and when the two boys started tying up I couldn't believe my luck.

"I'm delighted with the national record and a personal best but the main objective was getting to the final.

"Fingers crossed for tomorrow. I'll just go out and do my best".

In the 1500m final, Ireland's James Nolan finished a creditable sixth place - 2.08 seconds behind winner Driss Maazouzi of France.

Nolan, who clocked 3:44.67, lost touch with the leaders early on although he did battle to pass a number of athletes in the closing lap.

Earlier, Irish hurdler Derval O'Rourke bowed out of the World Indoor Championships at the semi-final stage after an eventful day.

David McCarthy: Stunning run

O'Rourke had been reinstated to the semi-finals after a protest against her disqualification from the first round heats was successful.

O'Rourke appeared to have qualified as a fastest loser when she came home fifth in her heat in 8.20.

However after the heats, O'Rourke learned that she had been disqualified because her trail leg was adjudged to have been outsider her lane.

Athletics Ireland launched an immediate protest which led to the decision being overturned.

In the semi-finals, O'Rourke came home in sixth place in 8.22 - .10 outside her personal best set last month.

The Irish 4x400m relay squad pulled out of their heat because of the involvement of Paul McKee and David McCarthy in the individual semi-finals event later in the day.

Maria Lynch failed to qualify for the women's 1500m final after finding well down the field in her heat on Saturday afternoon.

Lynch also competed in the 3000m heats on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, Alistair Cragg set a new Irish indoor 5000m record when winning the NCAA title on Friday evening.