Athletics:The unexpected inclusion of a men's relay team means Ireland will travel to Doha for the IAAF World Indoor Championships with an unusually large contingent of 15 athletes.
Irish record holders David Gillick and Derval O’Rourke represent the medal hopes, in the 400 metres and 60 metres hurdles respectively, while there will be eight appearing in their first major international championships.
Gillick of Dundrum South Dublin AC (DSD) is ranked second in the world (indoor) after his stunning performance at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham where he equalled his own Irish Indoor record of 45.52 seconds.
“I am delighted with my current form and my performance in my opening race. I am looking forward to getting out there and competing in Doha and running to my potential,” he said in statement released this afternoon.
O’Rourke (Leevale AC) recently recovered from illness to set a season’s best of eight seconds flat when placing second in Flora, Norway, while the Corkwoman was fourth at the World Championships in Berlin last year.
Gillick will be joined in the 400 metres by debutant Brian Gregan of Clonliffe Harriers, who recently set a personal best of 46.68 seconds in Vienna.
Gillick’s club-mate Nick Hogan, Brian Murphy (UCC AC), Billy Ryan (Ferrybank AC), Tim Crowe (Dooneen AC), Clare Brady (Celbridge AC), Kelly McNeice (City of Lisburn) and Rose-Anne Galligan (Newbridge AC) are the other athletes to be representing Ireland for the first time at major meet.
“This is one of the largest teams that we have sent to World Indoor championships and includes athletes with real medal potential,” said team manager Patsy McGonagle today.
“The team also has a number of quality emerging athletes who can use these championships as an ideal developmental opportunity to gain experience for the European Championships in Barcelona.”
The championships will be held on the weekend beginning March 12th.
Ireland team
Men
David Gillick, DSD AC: 400m
Brian Gregan, Clonliffe Harriers: 400m
David McCarthy, Le Cheile AC: 800m
4x400m Relay: From
David Gillick, DSD AC
Brian Gregan, Clonliffe Harriers
David McCarthy, Le Cheile AC
Nick Hogan, DSD AC
Brian Murphy, UCC AC
Billy Ryan, Ferrybank AC
Tim Crowe, Dooneen A.C.
Women
Claire Brady, Celbridge AC: 60m
Derval O’Rourke, Leevale AC: 60m Hurdles
Kelly McNeice, City of Lisburn: 1500m
Rose-Anne Galligan, Newbridge AC: 1500m
Deirdre Byrne, Sli Chulainn AC: 3000m
Hazel Murphy, DSD: 3000m
Kelly Proper, Ferrybank AC: Long Jump
Deirdre Ryan, DSD AC: High Jump
Team Management
Team Manager:Patsy McGonagle
Coaches: Jim Kidd & Lucy Moore
Physiotherapist: Nessa Smyth