Lifetime goal within Power's reach

SEAMUS POWER will fulfil a lifetime's ambition when he lines up for the final of the men's 10,000m at the European championships in Munich next Wednesday night, but it will be the first and last major track championship appearance by the Clareman.

Last year he was practically en route to the world championships in Edmonton when a troublesome hernia flared up and he had to undergo emergency surgery that kept him out of action for the whole season.

"The good thing about it I suppose was the fact that my time from last year [28:18.38 in Watford] was accepted and I am going this year," he said. "It is something I have always wanted to do throughout my career."

While he was a solid track man he finished fourth in the 10,000m at the NCAA championships as a scholarship student at East Tennessee he returned to Ireland to dominate the cross-country scene in a manner that very few before him have done.

He won the national inter-counties title no fewer than seven times and his three national inter-club titles do not reflect the dominance he has exerted on this particular event he would surely have had four at least were it not for the fact that he was laid low by a rampant stomach bug the night before the 1998 championships in Wexford.

He has represented Ireland at numerous European and world championships and has made certain races in Belgium and elsewhere practically his own. On the track he won the national 10,000m title for a second time this year and has also won the 5,000m title a couple of times, but he has still to line up on the track for a major championship.

Last year he appeared to be heading for great things on the back of the British AAA title which he won in Watford. "Unfortunately I did not manage to get in a 10,000m this year. I could not get into AAA championships on account of the Commonwealth Games trials but I feel I am going well enough," he said.

"You might notice I have been lying low all year. Everything has been aimed at the Europeans.

"I have been travelling to Dublin for a lot of track sessions and I have given it a lot of commitment.

"But really I am not quite sure what to expect going out there. I have always wanted to run a good 10,000m and this provides me with the opportunity to do that. Those championship races are not always that fast and if it is run around 28 minute pace I should be comfortable. You never know what might happen."

Whatever happens it is unlikely he will compete at another major track and field championship. "As I said I have given this a lot of commitment. Afterwards I will be looking towards a marathon maybe at the end of the year or early next year," he said.

Following the withdrawal of Jonathan Carlton from the men's 4 x 100m squad it emerged yesterday that there is now a doubt about sprinter Mark Howard.

"The situation is that he is still suffering from an injury picked up at the national championships and has been advised by his physiotherapist not to compete but I have asked him to hold off for another 48 hours or so and see if there is any improvement," Irish team manager Patsy McGonagle said.

Meanwhile, Adrienne McIvor joins the team for the women's 800m.