Dara Kervick’s immediate focus may be on this week’s European Indoor Athletics Championship in Prague, but the Pilltown 400m runner’s long-term goal is very much outdoors where he aims to emulate David Gillick by breaking the 45-second barrier.

Mark English is not shying away from the expectation that will rest squarely on his young shoulders when he leads a dozen-strong Irish challenge at next month’s European Indoor Athletics Championship. 

Emerald’s Ciara Neville announced herself as a star of the future at the GloHealth National Indoor Championships in Athlone as current stars Mark English and Kelly Proper continued their dominance.

Mark English wrapped up his preparations for Prague 2015 by taking the Glo Health national indoor 800 meter title in Athlone I.T today.

Kelly Proper bagged long-jump gold and her 17th national indoor title at day one of the Glo Health National Indoor Championships.

Athletics: Thomas Barr and Marcus Lawler starred at the Irish Universities Championships Indoor championships in Athlone yesterday.

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.

Ireland steered well clear of relegation in League 1 of the European Team Championships in Morton Stadium over the weekend to record their best ever placing of seventh but the “sporting extravaganza” that was promised never materialised.

Ireland have secured league one status at the European team championships finishing seventh overall.

Derval O'Rourke and Fionnuala Britton will lead a weakened Irish team in the European Team championship next week.

PAUL HESSION returned to the scene of his fastest run to claim his place in the 200m at next year’s Olympic Games in London.

Derval O'Rourke continued her build-up for the World Championships by winning her ninth national title at Santry's Morton Stadium today.