Ciara Neville’s life in the fast lane seemed to be running on fumes long before the Castletroy teenager had even gotten into top gear but a hard edge and support now sees her on the cusp of her first senior international championship.

Ciara Mageean couldn’t hide her disappointment after a fifth place finish in the women’s 1500m in 4:12.46 on an exciting night of athletics at the Athlone International Grand Prix. Athletics

A host of international stars are set to take on some of Ireland’s best athletes at the Athlone International Grand Prix this evening.

August’s World Championships in Beijing may be the summer priority but Mark English has also earmarked the Monaco Diamond League meet in mid-July for a crack at David Matthews’ 20-year old Irish 800m record.

Fionnuala Britton will aim to make it third-time lucky at the SPAR Great Ireland Run 10km in Dublin’s Phoenix Park tomorrow as she continues her transition to road running.

People regularly ask me about indoor running and whether or not racing indoors is a good plan. In my opinion the simple answer is yes, indoors is always a great plan.

Athletics Ireland put up a spirited challenge in the men’s distance medley relay at the Armory Invitational, going under the old world record but having to be content with second in 9:25.37 behind a dominant US outfit in 9:19.93.

Last week I was in an audience listening to Sonia O’Sullivan discuss her Olympic silver medal.

Athletes who may have deprived Irish competitors of major championship medals in the past will be identified as drug cheats thanks to new testing techniques for retrospective violations, according to a global leader in the anti-doping movement.

Derval O’Rourke’s coach Terri Cahill is shocked at the news that European Indoor 60m hurdles champion Nevin Yanit of Turkey has been charged for failing multiple drug tests which could see the Cork woman boosted to the bronze medal as a result.

David Gillick remains unfazed by the fact he has yet to qualify for the Olympic Games men’s 400m and revealed there may be mere weeks to spare before he achieves the required ‘A’ time.

ROBERT HEFFERNAN set the track ablaze in the Odyssey Arena a few years ago when he set a new Irish record for the 5,000m walk at 18mins 51secs and if he can reproduce his training form at the Woodies DIY Irish Indoor Athletics Championships in Belfast tonight, fans can expect fireworks.

PAUL HESSION will get his new outdoor season under way tonight when he lines up for the 100m at the Primo Nebiolo Memorial Meeting which will be staged in Turin.

David Gillick’s appeal over an incident in today’s 400m semi-final at the European Indoor Championships in Turin has failed.

Waterford’s Kelly Proper smashed the Irish record this morning as she qualified for the final of the Long Jump at the European Indoor Championships in Turin today.

Athletics Ireland has announced that double gold medallist David Gillick will defend his 400m European Indoor title in Italy next month.

Athletics Ireland has announced a 12-strong team to compete at the European Indoor Track and Field Championships in Turin, Italy next month.

World record holder Asafa Powell made a stunning start to the outdoor season by running the fastest 100metres in the world this year at the Artur Takac meeting in Belgrade.

Patsy McGonagle is backing Ireland's track and field stars to be in the medal mix at next month's European Championships in Gothenburg.

Kilkenny woman Joanne Cuddihy looks set to double up with both the 200 metres and 400 metres titles at the Woodies DIY National Track and Field Championships this weekend.

ALISTAIR CRAGG took another big step towards European gold this summer with a personal best in a historic 5,000 metres in New York.

ALISTAIR CRAGG is relishing a testing return to the international track scene this month as he bids to put a bittersweet 2005 firmly behind him.

Two European Cross Country Champions and an indoor silver medallist have joined the elite field for the Great BUPA Ireland Run which takes place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin on Saturday, April 9 next.

David Gillick out-gunned home favourite David Canale to power home to 400 metres gold tonight in Madrid, and Ireland's first ever male sprint medal at the European Indoor Championships.

Dundrum-South-Dublin's David Gillick whizzed home to a new personal best tonight in Madrid, easily qualifying for tomorrow night's 400 metres European Indoor final.