Too many hurdles for Ireland to jump at World Athletics Championships?

Irish athletes face an uphill struggle at the World Athletics Championships, which kick off in London tomorrow. Fierce global competition and drugs are two obvious reasons but there are obstacles a lot closer to home, argues Brendan O’Brien.

It’s early March and Ciara Mageean is standing bereft in the Kombank Arena in Belgrade. Just a hop, skip, and a jump from the River Danube, one of Ireland’s top athletes is explaining why she dropped out of the 1,500m final of the European Indoor Athletics Championships.

The backdrop and the actor are different but it’s a scene to which we have borne awkward witness countless times over decades: An Irish athlete, chest heaving, mind scrambled and emotions swirling as they try to explain where it all went wrong.