English shakes off infection but faces battle to reach final

Mark English has recovered from a respiratory tract infection and is looking forward to leading a small Irish team of to the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland next week (March 7-9).

“I’m finally over my infection for five days now and feel good in myself again,” said English, who will compete in the 800m on the first day of competition.

The UCD student set a new national indoor record of 1:46.82 in Athlone at the AAI Games on February 2 but with no semi-finals in Sopot it will be a tough ask to make the final.

Ciara Everard (UCD) and Rose-Anne Galligan (Newbridge) are entered for the women’s 800m.

West Waterford’s David McCarthy will compete in the 3,000m that will be dominated by the east Africans.

Claire Tarplee (DSD) rounds out the Irish team selection and will run in the 1500m. Amy Foster (City of Lisburn) declined a spot in the 60m.