Hurdling star Coghlan retires after grant decision

Irish hurdler Peter Coghlan has announced his retirement from athletics after hearing he was one of a number of top Irish athletes cut from the Irish Sports Council’s grants for 2005.

"I have greatly appreciated the support I have always received from friends, family, fellow athletes and the Irish public but the unfortunate reality is that I can no longer afford to train at the level required to compete at the elite end of the sport," 29-year-old Coghlan said in a statement tonight.

"The commitment required to compete at the high performance end of athletics is enormous, and the Grants I have received over the past five years - thanks to the Irish tax-paying public - have been essential."

Coghlan has qualified to compete at this summer’s World Championships in Helsinki in the 110m hurdles.

"At 29 years old I firmly believe I have not unlocked my full potential in the sport and with the right support could still compete with the best in the world. My coach agrees. My National Federation, the Athletics Association of Ireland, agrees. Unfortunately the Irish Sports Council does not share that same belief."

"I wish the best to all my compatriots on the Irish athletics team and hope that they continue to produce the success that, in reality, is little short of miraculous given the current level of support structures and facilities in place in Ireland."