Gregan embraces new role as main man for Ireland

Brian Gregan recognised yesterday he has now become the leading athlete for Team Ireland at the European Team Championships this weekend after the national squad was rocked by a series of withdrawals.

Fionnuala Britton and Mark English were ruled out earlier this week and Derval O’Rourke was added to the casualty list yesterday due to a chest infection.

Speaking at the launch of the Morton International Games (July 17) in Buswell’s Hotel in Dublin yesterday, Gregan feels home support this weekend will be key to the Irish team’s survival in League 1 at Santry.

“Home support will be key for us,” said the Clonliffe Harrier who has won his last two 400m races on the European circuit in Spain (45.53) and Sweden (45.65).

“I’m only 23 and I’m one of the more experienced athletes on the team, especially with the withdrawals of Fionnuala and Mark.”

Gregan feels ready for the pressure, though, and has fond memories of competing in front of a home crowd at the Morton Games last summer, where he won the 400m in a then personal best of 45.61.

“Athletics is a high pressure sport. I wouldn’t get any more nervous for this than any other competition. Racing is what I do.

“If a decent crowd shows up, we’ll perform well. We showed at the Morton Games last year with the home crowd people were performing really well.”

The Morton Games proved a success last year coinciding with the Olympic Games in London and saw 10 athletes go under four minutes for the mile in the showpiece event.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of Australians Herb Elliot and Albie Thomas setting world record marks for the mile and three miles respectively.