O’Rourke and Gillick named in strong Irish team for Osaka test

ATHLETICS IRELAND last night announced their provisional team for this year’s World Championships, in Osaka, Japan (August 25 — September 2).

The team includes World Indoor Gold medallist Derval O’Rourke and double European Indoor Gold medallist David Gillick, who will race in the 100m Hurdles and 400m respectively.

Galway’s Paul Hession, is also included in the squad following victories in both the 100 and 200m at the National Championships at the weekend.

David Campbell guaranteed his place in Osaka with a historic double at Santry winning the 800 and 1500m — a feat last achieved by Eamonn Coghlan 26 years ago.

Alistair Cragg was also named on the team after he produced a personal best time of 13.07.10 in the 5000m over the weekend.

This time, which he set in Belgium, now means the Clonliffe runner is the fastest European over the distance this year and 12th in the world.

Eileen O’Keeffe, ranked 13th in the world following her Irish record breaking win in the hammer, is included along with Joanne Cuddihy who will compete in the 400m and Mary Cullen in the 5000m.

Wicklow’s Fionnuala Britton will compete in the 3000m Steeplechase in Osaka along with fellow Sli Chualainn athlete Roisin McGettigan.

The team is completed by four race walkers. Robert Heffernan and Olive Loughnane have qualified for the 20k Walk, while Colin Griffin and Jamie costing will compete in the 50k Walk.

Patsy McGonagle, Irish team manager, has left the door open to other athletes to make the team. “This is the initial draft of the team for Osaka, we will be monitoring several athletes form and results over the coming weeks, so we may well see more names added to this list before we head off to the World Championships.”

Max Clifford, Director of Athletics for Athletics Ireland, is expecting some top class performances from the team. “This is a small, select team that is quite strong and it can be more competitive at a world level than Ireland has been for several years. We have athletes who can challenge to get into finals in Osaka with the focus of the Bejing Olympics being only one year away. I am looking forward to some world class performances from an exciting Irish team.”

Irish team (provisional) World Championships, Osaka, Japan

100m H: Derval O’Rourke, (Leevale).

5000m/10000m: Alistair Cragg, (Clonliffe Harriers).

3000SC: Roisin McGettigan, (Sli Chualainn).

400m: Joanne Cuddihy, (Kilkenny City Harriers).

100m/200m: Paul Hession, (Athenry ).

400m: David Gillick, Dundrum (South Dublin).

20K Walk: Robert Heffernan, (Togher).

20K Walk: Olive Loughnane, (Loughrea).

50K Walk: Colin Griffin, (Ballinamore ).

50k Walk: Jamie Costin, (West Waterford ).

3,000m S/C: Fionnuala Britton, (Slí Chualainn ).

Hammer: Eileen O’Keeffe, (Kilkenny City Harriers).

5000m: Mary Cullen, (North Sligo).

800m: David Campbell, (St. Coca’s).