ATHLETICS: Mark Carroll sounded quietly confident yesterday as he left his home in Providence, Rhode Island, for the three-hour train journey down to New York, writes Ian O'Riordan.
On Sunday Carroll is aiming to be one of the top finishers in the New York City marathon, where three years ago he made his debut over the 26.2-mile distance, finishing sixth in two hours, 10 minutes, 54 seconds.
The Corkman will need to repeat that kind of time if he's to figure on Sunday - especially given the quality of the field.
Among those chasing the €130,000 prize are Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa, who won last year in 2:09:28, and Kenya's Paul Tergat, who holds the world record (2:04:55).
"Well, at least I'm getting to the starting line in one piece," said Carroll, "which is always a good thing when it comes to the marathon. I'm just looking forward to getting down there now and having a good race."
Carroll bypassed the World Championships in Helsinki to prepare for New York, and he's offered a few hints along the way that he has reached the kind of shape he was in back in 2002.
In September he posted a half-marathon best of 62:36, which usually equates to a sub-2:10 clocking. The only real interruption to the preparations was his marriage last month to US Olympian Amy Rudolph.
"I've had my eye on one more good marathon for a while now," said Carroll, two months away from his 34th birthday. "And I believe that time has finally come. I'm definitely running as strong as I ever was . . . so we'll just have to see how it goes."
Dublin's Vinny Mulvey and Clare's Marie Davenport - both now based in the US - also start.
EQUESTRIAN: Paul Darragh, who died suddenly aged 51 last January, is to be remembered in a special-achievement award commissioned by his father, Professor Austin Darragh, writes Grania Willis.
The Paul Darragh Perpetual Trophy will be presented by Paul's widow, Jane, at the Showjumpers Club annual ball at the end of the month.
There are four nominees for the 2005 International Show Jumper of the Year award - Billy Twomey, Dermott Lennon, Jessica Kurten and Shane Breen.
The award will be decided by public vote - text 53307 - and presented at the Killashee House Hotel, Naas, on November 26th.
