Athletics:A hamstring injury has forced Derval O'Rourke out of the IAAF World Indoor Championships due to take place in Doha, Qatar next weekend. It is a bitter blow for the Leevale hurdler, who has already won three times this year and was seen as a genuine medal contender in the Emirates.
The former world indoor champion kicked-off the year with her 10th Irish Indoor title at last month’s Irish Championships at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast when she ran a time of 8.18 seconds in the 60 metre hurdles.
A week later the 28-year-old followed up with another win (8.11) at the British AAA Indoors in Sheffield. Last weekend the Cork athlete recorded a season’s-best 8.00 seconds to win in Norway.
O’Rourke’s pre-season was hampered by a calf injury while a bout of sickness also forced her out of the recent Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham.
She will turn her attentions to the European Championships in Barcelona at the end of July.
Irish medal hopes in Qatar will now rest with David Gillick, who was named athlete of the month after he produced a sensational performance to win the men’s 400 metres at last month’s Aviva Grand Prix.
His time of 45.52 seconds in Birmingham equalled his own Irish indoor record and ranks as the fourth fastest time this year.
Next week’s meeting takes place in Qatar from Friday, March 12th-14th.