Hi-tech investment pays for O’Rourke

New technology that examines in forensic detail the movements of Derval O’Rourke as she scales hurdles has allowed the Cork woman to highlight an injury that affected her performance at the recent Irish indoor championships, while also giving her the best possible preparation for the upcoming world indoor championships in Istanbul (March 9-11).

O’Rourke has not competed at the event since winning the 60m hurdles title in Moscow in 2006 but was yesterday named in a three-strong team along with 1500m sensation Ciarán O Lionáird and U23 hurdler Ben Reynolds (North Down).

Through the Institute of Sport and Athletics Ireland, the new technology will allow O’Rourke’s coach, Sean Cahill, to analyse every step and provide analysis of things such as how long it takes the former world indoor champion to cross the hurdles, to get from one hurdle to the next as well as other elements that affect her overall performance.