‘Think-tank’ to assess cross-country options

The expected cross-country debate never materialised at the Athletics Ireland General Congress which finished ahead of schedule at the Moran’s Silver Springs hotel in Cork on Saturday, where Ciarán Ó Catháin was re-elected as president for a further two years.

The national inter-club cross-country championships has been in steady decline in recent years but a motion to amalgamate it with the inter counties was withdrawn.

Instead, a “think-tank” will be drawn to assess cross-country, with Athletics Ireland members invited to contribute.

Ó Catháin, the president of Athlone Institute of Technology, spoke of the need for the sport to be ambitious. “Our vision set out in the strategic plan is an inclusive one and envisages a future landscape for our sport that is not small or limited,” he said.

“That landscape should be as vast and expansive as the ambitions of our athletes.”

Chief executive John Foley reported on the ever-growing membership of the association, which has risen 67% since 2009 from 29,000 to just under 50,000, with the objective of growing it to 60,000 in the next two years.

Foley also spoke of the importance of coaching to improve performances on the international stage and hopes to add more full-time coaches to the appointment of Chris Jones as head of endurance last year.

“Last year we appointed our first full term coach in Endurance; Chris Jones, and with funding we have aspirations to extend for each discipline,” said Foley who went on to emphasise the importance of the Irish Sports Council for funding.

“We are now 60% self-sufficient and 40% government funding. Just three years ago the ratio stood at 40% self-sufficient to 60% government funding. The income is generated predominantly through membership fees, sponsorship and by running recreational road races.”

The following chairs were also voted on to the board: Chair of Competition and Deputy President: Georgina Drumm and, Chair of High Performance: Brid Golden, Chair of Coaching and Development: Eamon Harvey, Chair of Juvenile: Jim Ryan and Chair of Finance and Risk: Peter Hanlon.

Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the Irish men’s team — John Travers, Brian Gregan, Paul Robinson and John Coghlan — finished third in the Penn Relays in the US vs the world distance medley relay in 9:42.

Ciarán Ó Lionáird returned to the track after a year out through injury at the Drake Relays in Iowa and finished 8th in the mile in 4:03.64.