Coman is back to top form

TOMAS COMAN made a sensational return to form in Cuttbus on Wednesday night when he pipped reigning European champion Ingo Schultz for second place behind Danny McFarlane of Jamaica in an exciting finish to the 400m.

McFarlane won the race in 45.72 secs with Coman crossing the line in 46.06 secs, 4/100th of a second ahead of Schultz.

The result left Dick Hogdins beaming with anticipation in

advance of the BUPA Ireland Cork City Sports on July 5 when McFarlane and Coman will line up for the men’s 400m along with Paul McKee, bronze medallist, and David

McCarthy, who finished fifth in the world indoor championships in Birmingham. Coman’s performance in Cottbus was welcomed yesterday by Hayley Harrison, who coaches the athletes at UL along with her husband, Drew.

“This is the first year we have managed to get him to this point without being injured,” she said.

“But we still have to be careful with him. He just finished exams last week so he was relieved of that pressure.”

In 2000 he ran a personal best of 45.84 but, while he was sidelined through injury he could only sit and watch as Paul McKee took his records away from him.

Now he is all set for a big return and the big head to head is planned for Cork.

He will travel to Latvia next week for 400m races in Riga and Ventspils.

Dave McCarthy travels to Belfast for the Northern Ireland championships.

After that he travels to Latvia for 200m and 400m races.

Sonia O’Sullivan’s decision to compete over 1,500m at the BUPA Ireland Cork City Sports has caused a stir among the middle distance runners who are targeting the event as an important bid in the bid for qualifying standards for the world championships.

Recent additions to the field are the Dutch champion, Anjolie Wisse and the South African champion Rene Kalmer.