Irish athletes keen to restore battered pride

Simon Lewis

After all the disappointments at the world championships in Helsinki last week, Gary Ryan of Nenagh A.C. leads the field in the 100m at the An Riocht track. Ryan recently won his fifth national 100m title but will have opposition from old foe Jer O’Donoghue, Leevale A.C. who reversed the national championship 1-2 at the Dublin International. The English challenge will be led by James Ellington, who has run 10:35 secs, with Welsh runners Adebowale Ademeyuwo and James Moore posing a real threat.

The 400m will have two men who have helped raise the standards significantly in recent years: Paul McKee of Beechmount Harriers, Belfast, and Celbridge’s David McCarthy. They will face stiff competition from England’s Danny Brandwood and South African Olympian Okkert Cilliers.