McGonagle looking to the future with youthful Doha team

THE surprise inclusion of a men’s 4 x 400m relay team alongside medal hopefuls, David Gillick and Derval O’Rourke, on the Irish team for the world indoor championships in Doha (March 12, 13, 14) is aimed at the future and, in particular, this year’s European outdoor championships in Barcelona, according to team manager Patsy McGonagle.

David Gillick, twice European indoor 400m champion, and David McCarthy, who competes in the 800m in Doha, were members of the 4 x 400m team that won the bronze medals at the world indoor championships in Budapest along with Rob Daly and Gary Ryan.

This time they are joined by Brian Gregan, who posted his qualifying standard for the 400m when he set a new pb at 46.68 seconds in Vienna.