Carroll to take advantage of Lombard absence

MARK CARROLL will chase the 5,000m title in the absence of defending champion Cathal Lombard at the Woodies DIY National Track and Field Championships at Morton Stadium this weekend.

The Corkman could also take on Ireland’s newest sensation Alistair Cragg in pursuit of a double in the 1,500m. Cragg, who has put an outstanding US collegiate career behind him, will make his first competitive appearance in Ireland in the 1,500m at Santry and he said yesterday he was looking forward to it.

“I am a bit nervous about it,” he said. “But I am looking forward to having a good run. Training has been going good and I am getting used to running over here.”

Cragg represented Ireland at the European cross-country championships two years ago and at the worlds in Brussels this year.

He has qualified at 10,000m, with Carroll and Lombard, for Athens.

“I am looking forward to the Olympics. I don’t really know what to expect so I just think of it as another meet,” he said.

He goes into the 1,500m with a best time of 3:39 from last year but the strength of the opposition is vague. James Nolan, also Athens bound, would appear to have his sights on the 800m but Mark Carroll said yesterday he was thinking about doubling up.

“The plan is to run the 5,000m,” said the Corkman, who holds the national record at 13:03.93.

“I am also considering the 1,500m.”

Lombard broke his club-mate’s national 10,000m record in April, but injury has seen him abandon a defence of his 5,000m title on Sunday.

“I got going well but then the injury problem emerged on Sunday,” he said.

“It was affecting my entire left leg and I missed a few days so I decided not to return for the nationals.”