Nick Griggs came agonisingly close to winning gold at the u20 European cross-country championships only to be pipped at the death by Will Barnicoat of the UK.
Griggs led the race for large portions and looked to be set to take home gold when he rounded the final corner.
But Barnicoat kicked-on with a couple of hundred metres to go and ate up the ground behind the Tyrone youngster. A costly stumble gave Barnicoat the advantage. The team GB athlete capitalised and got home marginally ahead of the Irish star.
READ MORE: Roy Keane stuns fans with England reference during World Cup quarter-final
"My coach told me down the last hill go for it," Griggs told Athletics Ireland.
"In the home straight I stumbled a bit and it cost me.
"Look, it's disappointing but I gave it everything, and if you told me yesterday I'd get a silver I would have been buzzing, so mixed emotions really."
While Barnicoat took home gold, it was a 2-3 finish for Ireland with Dean Casey taking home bronze.
READ NEXT:
Roy Keane stuns fans with England reference during World Cup quarter-final
Declan Rice's pre-World Cup decision comes back to haunt him as he heads home with empty suitcase
Garry Ringrose reveals Leinster's 'no excuses' mantra for Racing romp after travel nightmare
Josh Warrington loses world title to Luis Alberto Lopez in gruelling clash
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
