Local athletes determined to shine

Saturday’s BUPA Ireland Cork City Sports presents a number of local athletes with a golden opportunity to grab the limelight at Ireland's leading international track and field fixture.

Una English, who ran so well to finish second and set a personal best time of 8mins 54.73 secs in the corresponding event last year behind runaway winner Sonia O'Sullivan, has an excellent chance of winning the 3000m on foot of her recent excellent cross country and track form.

A formidable African challenge headed by the Moroccan, Meryem Boucetta together with the Russian Julia Chijenko and the strong running Czech, Lenka Svanhalova should ensure that English is not short of company in the closing stages but with home support on her side, an Irish victory in the final international race on the track may be on the cards.

Likewise, young Derval O'Rourke is running extremely well at present and is closing in fast on Susan Smith's national record for the 100m hurdles. In the company of the likes of Jenny Kallur from Sweden and the fast American Danielle Carruthers, next Saturday could see the UCD student and former Leevale star set new figures.

Freda Davoren, who is seeking a world championship mark for 1500m, will welcome running in the company of Sonia O'Sullivan and a galaxy of world class middle distance runners. The Kerry-born athlete won this event in 2001 so she is well aware of what it takes to win in Cork. The race gives her the chance to put last year's injury prone season way behind her.

A recent fast run by her in Russia showed that she is now running faster and more confidently than ever and she seems certain to claim a few more big name scalps this Saturday.

City Sports PRO Tony O’Connell says that the event will act as a springboard for the up and coming stars of the Irish athletics scene.

“This is a huge opportunity for them to show that they belong in the midst of such high quality international athletes and I am sure that they will not disappoint,” he said.

“It is unbelievable that we have three athletes of their stature coming through the ranks at the same time, but they certainly are following a well-defined path for success in Cork, one trodden previously by Mark Carroll and Sonia O’Sullivan, among many others.

“Hopefully on Saturday the crowd will get behind them and cheer them on, because they are going to be the big names in Irish athletics for the next decade and it would be fantastic for them to get the support they deserve.”

The action begins in the Mardyke at 2pm. Spectators are urged to get there early if they wish to secure the best vantage points for what will be a fantastic occasion