Just in time for Sweeney

Whereas sprinters Gary Ryan and Rob Daly narrowly missed their respective Olympic qualification marks this weekend in Cork, American-based discus thrower Nick Sweeney did and is waiting on confirmation from the Olympic Council of Ireland of a plane ticket to his fourth Games in Athens.

The 36-year-old threw 64.12 metres to beat out the A standard at a US Track and Field ratified meeting in Allston, Massachusetts, right on the eve of the council’s qualification deadline.

Sweeney, currently an economics analyst on Wall Street, who was out of the competitive loop since retiring after Sydney 2000, picked up training again last winter.

Dogged by knee problems in the past, the Ballinteer athlete threw 60.20 last weekend in Atascadero, California to lead this year’s national standings by nearly eight metres.

If, as expected, he is selected for Wednesday’s official Olympic team announcement, Sweeney will join 5000m hopeful Sonia O’Sullivan in competing at a fourth Olympics.

He currently holds the Irish outdoor record of 67.89, set over five years ago in Helsingborg, Sweden.