Ryan and Maguire net AAI posts

International athlete Gary Ryan and respected coach Stephen Maguire have been appointed to high-ranking positions within the Athletics Association of Ireland.

Nenagh sprinter Ryan was today announced as Athletic Ireland's Director of Development, while Strabane-based Maguire, who enjoyed a stint with the Irish team at the recent World Indoors, is to take the reins as Director of Coaching.

The 33-year-old Ryan is the current Irish 100 metres champion and has held both the 100 and 200m national records during his 12-year track career.

The holder of a Masters degree from the University of Limerick, Ryan made the 200m quarter-finals at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Maguire, named as Northern Ireland's Sports Coach of the Year this month, is widely regarded as one of the best coaches on the island. He coached disabled sprinter Jason Smyth to double gold at the IPC European Championship in 2005.

The 18-year-old Smyth, who is partially sighted, won both the 100 and 200m finals in world record times. Incredibly, Smyth also finished third behind Ryan at the National Championships in Santry last July.