Tracking progress of Irish athletes

Irish distance running has hit a few bum notes since the glorious ’80s. So can a classical musician who specialised in the French horn put the wind back in our endurance stars?

And can a landmark move to professional coaching help build on the recent promise shown by Fionnuala Britton and her cross-country colleagues?

Chris Jones is convinced it can. Jones was announced last week as the new full-time National Endurance Coach for Athletics Ireland – an historic appointment for an association that has traditionally relied on volunteer labour.