ATHLETICS: The fast-emerging Dublin sprinter Claire Bergin was yesterday handed her first major international assignment when named as part of the Irish teams for the European Cup in Tallinn, Estonia later this month, writes Ian O'Riordan
This year both the Irish men and women compete in the European Cup second league, hosted by Estonia on June 22nd-23rd, with the aim of finishing in the top two participating nations and so gain promotion to the first league for 2003.
According to Liam Hennessy, the new international secretary of Athletics Ireland, both the Irish teams have the ability to be successful.
"I think we have good mix of youth and experience," said Hennessy.
"We are missing the likes of Sonia O'Sullivan and Mark Carroll, but we are still very strong in the track events. And we also felt it was a good opportunity to introduce Claire Bergin to international competition at this level."
After her record-breaking 11.53 seconds run in the Irish Schools' Championships earlier this month, Bergin has been given the starting place in the 100 metres. The more experienced Sarah Reilly is returning from injury and is limiting herself to the relays, as is Emily Maher, currently suffering from a virus.
Heading the men's challenge will be Paul McKee, new Irish record holder over 400 metres, and the experienced James Nolan over 1,500 metres. The 3,000 metres spot goes to Killian Lonergan, who is rewarded for his impressive return to form that recently included a 13:47.99 over 5,000 metres.
The other participating men's teams are Belarus, Iceland, Latvia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Georgia and hosts Estonia. Also competing against the women are Estonia, Iceland, Cyprus, Luxembourg and Georgia, along with Denmark and Lithuania.
With Sonia O'Sullivan concentrating her efforts on qualifying times for the European Championships, the women's 3,000 metres spot goes to Maria McCambridge, with Anne Keenan-Buckley named in the 5,000 metres. Geraldine Hendricken from Carlow was the unanimous choice at 1,500 metres after her 4:09.56 clocking at the weekend.
There is a little less depth in the field events, though Terry McHugh is clearly capable of a win in the javelin, as is Ciaran McDonagh in the long jump, while recent Irish record breaker Eileen O'Keeffe is named in both the hammer and discus.
IRISH TEAMS: MEN - 100m: J McAdorey (Ballymena and Antrim); 200m: P Brizzel (Ballymena and Antrim); 400m: P McKee (Beechmount); 800m: D Caulfield (DCH); 1,500m: J Nolan (UCD); 3,000m: K Lonergan (Clonliffe); 5,000m: S Power (Kilmurry/Ibrickane); 3,000m Steeplechase: C Smith (DSD); 110m Hurdles: P Coghlan (Crusaders); 400m Hurdles: S McDonnell (DCH); High jump: A O'Dwyer (KCH); Pole vault: D Donegan (Raheny); Long jump: C McDonagh (Fr Murphy's AC); Triple jump: P Shannon (Ballybrack); Shot putt: I McMullan (Lisburn); Discus: G Power (HHH); Hammer: R Linscheid (Donore); Javelin: T McHugh (DCH); 4x100m relay, from: Brizzel, McAdorey, Gary Ryan (Nenagh), J Carleton (Ballymena and Antrim), M Howard (Fingallians); 4x400m relay, from: McKee, Ryan, T Coman (Moycarkey), R Daly (DSD), D McCarthy (Celbridge).
WOMEN: 100m: C Bergin (DSD); 200m: C Sheehy (DCH); 400m: K Shinkins (DCH); 800m: K McNeice (Lisburn); 1,500m: G Hendricken (St Laurence O'Tooles); 3,000m: M McCambride (DSD); 5,000m: A Keenan-Buckley (North Laois); 3,000m Steeplechase: R McGettigan (Sli Cualann); 100m Hurdles: D O'Rourke (UCD); 400m Hurdles: M Carey (Dublin Striders); High jump: D Ryan (DSD); Pole vault: J Claffey (Borrisokane); Long jump: A Furlong (DMP); Triple jump: T Scanlon-Robinson (Limerick); Shot putt: G Steward (Tirchonaill); Discus: E O'Keeffe (KCK); Hammer: E O'Keeffe; Javelin: A Moffitt (WSE); 4x100m relay, from: Bergin, Sheehy, O'Rourke, Emily Maher (KCH), S Reilly (Birchfield); 4x400m relay, from: Shinkins, Carey, Sheehy, Maher, J Cuddihy (KCH); Managers: P McGonagle, M Quinlan; Coaches: P McGratten, J Sheehan, L Moore.
