Athletics Ireland seek new director

THE Beijing Olympics is likely to bring the curtain down on Max Jones’ term as Director of Athletics.

The Athletics Ireland website yesterday invited applications for a “senior, full-time position within the organisation which will involve overall responsibility for the direction and implementation of coaching and high performance strategy. The position will be based in Athletics Ireland’s headquarters in Dublin and will involve extensive travel both domestically and internationally.”

Patsy McGonagle had been linked with the position due to the boxing success in Beijing.

McGonagle, who is manager of the athletics team in Beijing, was recently appointed Chair of High Performance.

While Athletics Ireland went outside the country to fill the post in the past there is the possibility that they could fill it from within this time around due to the performance of the Irish boxers in Beijing.

The Director of Athletics will report directly to the CEO, Mary Coghlan, and applications close with her on September 8.