In-form Hession and O’Rourke rewarded with Irish captaincy

SPRINTERS Paul Hession (Athenry AC) and Derval O’Rourke (Leevale AC) will captain the Irish team to compete in the European Team championships in Slovakia this weekend.

Both demonstrated their form at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava on Wednesday night with Hession winning a wind-assisted 200m in a time of 20.44 while O’Rourke times continued to improve in a positive vein when she finished fourth in the 100m Hurdles in a time of 12.95.

The team captains will be looking to emulate if not exceed these performances at the weekend when they compete with and lead the Irish Team in the first European Team Championships (formerly European Cup). This exciting new format will see men and women’s teams combine making it more exciting, unpredictable and by putting more emphasis on the country and team as opposed to individual athletes. Ireland, vying for promotion will be without the David Gillick who cannot compete in the 400m due to exam commitments, and will be replaced by Brian Gregan (Tallaght AC).