He completed college in 1986 and began focusing in international competitions. He represented Ireland at the 1986 European Athletics Championships, but did not progress beyond the 5000 metres heats. His career peak came during the 1987 indoor season. A lifetime best run of 7:47.95 minutes was the best by any 3000 m athlete in the world that year. This set him up as a strong contender for the 3000 m title at the 1987 IAAF World Indoor Championships. A tactically run final saw a close finish and he took the silver medal narrowly behind fellow Irishman Frank O'Mara, and just three hundredths ahead of bronze medallist Terry Brahm. However, a knee injury interrupted his career at this point and he did not reach such peaks again.