Hanrahan targeting Euro qualification in Cork

At 27, Mark Hanrahan found himself at a crossroads.

Balancing a decent athletics career with a full-time job at John Buckley Sports, Hanrahan wanted more from his favoured sport, a burning desire to deliver on the potential he believed to be there.

In December 2012, Hanrahan, along with partner Laura Crowe, took the necessary leap of faith, dispensing with work commitments to concentrate full-time on athletics. A hip stress fracture put paid to his 2013 season and Hanrahan watched from the sideline as Crowe parachuted herself up the middle distance pecking order.