A bronze medal had never felt so sweet — victory in defeat, triumph in third place, and a glorious sense of redemption for Mark English.

One of those glorious nights to remember in Irish athletics as Mark English and Ciara Mageean scored European Indoor bronze medals within 90 minutes of each other in Glasgow.

Mark English has won bronze for Ireland at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Glasgow, grabbing his third major Championship medal in the 800 metres.

Thomas Barr is set for some new challenges in 2019 with his first major indoor championships on the horizon and a distinct possibility of building on his medal success in Berlin last summer.

A BUDDHIST monk will often retreat by foot to the mountains to find some zen. But when RTÉ rugby pundit Brent Pope wants inner peace, he heads to the Wicklow Mountains on his cruiser motorbike, a burly Suzuki Volusia.

Former athlete David Gillick talks with the kind of startling honesty that will give hope — and inspiration — to anyone who has ever taken comfort in binge eating to dampen down emotions, writes Clodagh Finn.

Several current and former inter-county players have taken to Twitter to express their disagreement with Sport Ireland’s decision to withhold last year’s Government grants.

When it comes to the 400m, Ireland has never had an athlete quite like David Gillick, and during last weekend’s World Indoor Championships he was an interested spectator — though from afar — as Phil Healy ignited hope that the glory days may yet return.

The success or failure of the Irish team at the World Indoor Championships was always going to be decided by one athlete, and given Phil Healy managed something no Irish athlete had done since 2010, it felt a lot like the former at the close of play in Birmingham last night.

Latest: Phil Healy has become the first Irish athlete for eight years to make progress at a World Indoor Athletics Championships, writes Will Downey.

Brian Gregan had been flagged as a potential star ever since his early teens, but the Dubliner became the forgotten man of Irish athletics in recent years after a series of interruptions. However, he roared back to life at the Morton Games in Santry this month, smashing his 400m personal best to win in 45.26. Ahead of his tilt at the World Championships in London, he will compete at the Irish Senior Championships in Santry this weekend

Skibbereen’s ability to produce rowers - and raconteurs - was in evidence on a glorious morning at the European Championships in the Czech Republic.

David Gillick is a member of the Vhi Support Team for the Women’s Mini Marathon on June 5.

Three years ago, Ciara Mageean was unable to run, beset with injuries and staring down the barrel of career-threatening surgery.

Many times in her career, Fionnuala McCormack has had to grin and bear as she dealt with the bitter taste of fourth place at a major championships, but this time it was clear she had enough.

For Olympic hopefuls, Mark English and Thomas Barr, the last few months had been nothing short of a nightmare, but the two great hopes for Irish athletics are now daring to dream once again.

Phil Healy’s epic relay leg for UCC last month may have entered athletics folklore, but her first official attempt at the 400m left no one in doubt of her future potential over the one-lap distance.

Fancy a delicious alternative to traditional festive fare? Vicki Notaro asks four well-known foodies to whip up a healthy banquet to rival the calorie-laden feast we normally consume at Christmas    

RETIRED international athlete David Gillick realised something vital very early in his track and field career.

Thomas Barr is targeting a final berth in the 400m hurdles at his maiden World Athletics Championships in Beijing at the end of this month.

Here's the best shows on TV tonight.

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.

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.

Here’s our spoiler-free guide to what you should watch on the box tonight.

Irish track and field athlete David Gillick has announced his retirement, aged 31

A text message at 9:33am yesterday morning from Derval O’Rourke signalled the end of a glittering career for one of Ireland’s most medalled athletes.

There’s one day in the athletics calendar that reminds those of us who love the sport of all the reasons we love it — the All-Ireland Schools’ Championships.

Bernard Brogan thinks Ireland’s 400-metre record holder David Gillick’s natural pace could make him a perfect fit for Jim Gavin’s expansive game plan.

Quite the kerfuffle over a man bringing a computer to the FA Cup final, I notice.

It’s January and people everywhere are talking about resolutions, weight loss and healthy living.

As we embark on the journey that will be 2014, there are so many topics I want to discuss but one keeps coming into my consciousness: the area of mental wellbeing for elite athletes.

The announcement of Roy Keane as assistant manager to Martin O’Neill got me very excited.

Drug testing has been a big part of my life as an athlete. The Irish Sports Council takes a strong stance on testing and I have been consistently drug tested for the past 12 years.

Highlights include Breaking Bad and The Rose of Tralee

Race-walking legend Olive Loughnane believes Robert Heffernan can use his fourth place finish at the London Olympics as a springboard to success at the upcoming World Track and Field Championships in Moscow.

Irish sprinter Jason Smyth, who trains alongside shamed American Tyson Gay, says drug cheats should be banned from athletics.

Irish athletes face more stringent anti-doping tests than many of their international rivals, claims the Irish Sports Council’s anti-doping programme director Dr Una May.

Highlights include Top of the Lake and Celebrity Masterchef Ireland

Derval O'Rourke has withdrawn from this weekend's European team championships, dealing a further blow to Team Ireland.

No David Gillick, Derval O’Rourke down €28,000 despite almost medalling at the recent European Indoors and €12,000 set aside for Kenny Egan despite him having announced his retirement from the ring back in February.

David Gillick has confirmed he has been cut from Irish Sports Council funding for 2013.