Britton plays down talk of Swede success as focus remains on worlds

European Cross Country champion Fionnuala Britton is playing down her chances at the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg this weekend.

“My main aim is to qualify for the (3,000m) final,” said Britton. “I’m not thinking about medals. Some people are expecting more but I’m going to race and try and make the final and see what happens.

“It’s my first time running an indoor championships so it’s hard to know what to expect. It’s about getting to the final and seeing what I can do from there,” said the Kilcoole athlete, ranked 11th on the European list with 8:54.37.

Her coach Chris Jones said the championships are just “part of her preparation” for the world cross-country championships in Poland on March 24.

Ciarán Ó Lionáird competes in the men’s 3,000m and is looking to do himself justice after two disappointing championships, at the World Indoors and the Olympics in 2012.

“This championship provides me with the opportunity to kick off 2013 on a positive note after a difficult 2012,” said the US-based miler. “It is a great momentum builder leading into the summer season, which has always been the main priority. That said, I feel like I can put myself in the mix here. I just want to execute on race day and give a performance that gives my current fitness justice.”

Ó Lionáird’s remarkable 3:52.10 at the Wanamaker mile for third which has gone relatively unnoticed put him fourth on the Irish all-time list for the mile and ranks him number one in Europe this year.

“Of course, on paper I am, but I still have a long way to go to match the consistency of the great Irish indoor milers,” said the Leevale athlete.

“To have the fastest 1500m time in Europe this indoor season is encouraging leading into the summer season, where 1500m will be my priority.”

Ó Lionáird is ranked 17th with his 7:53.69 but should feature prominently given his mile time. John Travers (Donore Harriers) and Stephen Scullion (North Belfast Harriers) will also compete in the 3000m.

David McCarthy (West Waterford) had to withdraw due to laryngitis.

Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers) is the fastest 400m runner in Europe this year with his 46.07secs time and is also taking it “round by round” in Sweden.

Eleven Irish athletes including Derval O’Rourke (Leevale) were confirmed yesterday to take part in the championships, which start on Friday.