Heffernan to lead Ireland medal charge to Zurich
Thirty Irish athletes were named on the team yesterday in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin but the weight of expectation sat heaviest on one man from Cork.
“Rob’s a world champion,” said Ankrom. “You would have to put that expectation on him. You’ve got a team of 30 that’s quite young for the most part.
“If we can get Rob as world champion [to medal] — you would assume that he’s going to medal and filling that European medal bag that he wants. You would have to put that expectation [on him] to win a medal.”
A positive championships for Ankrom, alongside a medal for Heffernan, would be the transition of athletes such as Brian Gregan (400m), Thomas Barr (400m hurdles), Mark English (800m) and Paul Robinson (1500m).
“Rob to win a medal and then you have Gregan knocking on the door, [hopefully] English in a final, Robinson in a final and Ciarán Ó Lionáird in a final — these others transitioning through, then that’s what good looks like.”
Ankrom was unequivocal on what athlete excites him the most heading into the championships: “Ó Lionáird,” he answered instantly.
“I’ve always known that the potential is there,” continued the American, whose contract ends at the end of the year. “He’s always had that potential. Since 2011 we’ve seen it. He’s just had this ongoing issue with niggles and stuff. He’s exciting because he’s unpredictable. He could show up and win it. We’ve seen where Ciarán has shown up and hasn’t performed well on occasions but I think there is other external factors that have limited him.”
The colourful Leevale athlete made waves by making the final of the 1500m at the world championships in Daegu in 2011 and won bronze over 3,000m at the European indoor championships last year.
He was due to fly out yesterday to Florida to continue his preparations for the championships.
Ó Lionáird felt that after the national championships on Sunday that both he and Paul Robinson have the potential to medal in Zurich.
“I think we’re both capable of medalling on the European level if we’re on fire,” he said.
Ankrom will be hoping they will both be on fire come Zurich in what could be his last major championships in charge as high performance manager for Athletics Ireland.
“You’re here one day, out the next,” he answered. “My focus is Europeans. My contract ends at the end of this year.”
Athletics Ireland wheeled out Gregan, Barr, English and Sarah Lavin (100m hurdles) yesterday as the faces of the future.
All four are taking it as a process of qualifying through the rounds but making the final is their burning ambition.
“I’m a championship performer,” said Gregan, who is looking to put right his indifferent form, while English goes into the championships having won his last seven races.
“I’m in the shape of my life,” said the UCD student. “It’s going to be difficult but I’m going in there to make the final and give it my best shot.”
Bandon’s Phil Healy is also on the team in the 100m after she dead heated with Lisburn’s Amy Foster at the national championships on Sunday in 11.49 seconds. The Cork woman has continued to impress since her fourth place at the European junior championships in Rieti last summer.
Meanwhile, in Eugene, Oregon today, Aislinn Crossey, Síofra Cléirigh Buttner (both 800m) and Emma O’Hara (hammer) will be the first Irish athletes to compete on day one of the World Junior Track and Field Championships.
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