Gillick included in Irish squad

Reigning European indoor 400 metres champion David Gillick could be bound for Moscow as a late addition to the Ireland squad for the World Indoor Athletics Championships.

The 22-year-old Dubliner has been warm-weather training in South Africa in a bid to impress outdoors this summer, but he has been entered for the World Indoors by Athletics Ireland. Gillick, whose 2005 campaign was curtailed by a back injury, is still to confirm his participation.

The Irish squad for the Moscow event was announced this afternoon with Alistair Cragg, who also struck gold at the European Indoors in Madrid last March, included.

Ireland's outstanding performer on the track this season, Derval O'Rourke, is another of the nine athletes bound for the Russian capital.

The Cork woman's national 60-metre hurdles record of 7.90 seconds, which she set at the Irish Championships in Belfast eight days ago, ranks her sixth on the world list.

The 24-year-old O'Rourke looks Ireland's best chance of repeating the medal wins of 2003 (Paul McKee, 400m, bronze) and 2004 (men's relay, 4x400m, bronze).

IRELAND SQUAD (World Indoor Championships, Moscow, Russia (March 10-12)):

WOMEN -

Derval O'Rourke (Leevale) 60-metre hurdles

Roisin McGettigan (Slí Cualann) 3000 metres

Emily Maher (Kilkenny City Harriers) 60 metres

Ailis McSweeney (Leevale) 60 metres

Maria McCambridge (Dundrum South Dublin) 3000 metres

MEN -

Alistair Cragg (Clonliffe Harriers) 3000 metres

James Nolan (UCD) 1500 metres, 3000 metres

David McCarthy (Le Chéile) 400 metres

David Gillick (Dundrum South Dublin) 400 metres

Support Team:

Paddy Marley (team manager), Paddy Fay, Stephen Maguire (team coaches), Nessa Smith (team physiotherapist), Dr Bill Cuddihy (team doctor).