Derval ready to make big impact

Derval O’Rourke, renowned for her fighting spirit come championship time, has done the work, made the sacrifices and is ready to make a big impact in the Olympic Stadium next week.

The Leevale hurdler has always triumphed over adversity and now, according to her coach Sean Cahill, she is primed to relive her best moments.

He predicts surprises come the final of the women’s 100m hurdles next Tuesday night.

“Training has been going according to plan and we are getting a bit of late training done and it’s all good,” said Cahill, who competed in the men’s 110m hurdles at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

She ran her fastest time of the season at 13.02 seconds in Lignano, Italy, on July 17 but it was not the time that was of concern.

“In Derval’s head there is very little difference between 13.02 and 12.97. When she went to Italy — and I was out there with her — we got videos and we were able to analyse those and see where improvements could be made.

“That’s what we’ve been doing for the last week and this week as well. We have been able to sharpen up a few things.

“Physically she is 100% and that’s the key. Race wise it’s been a very funny year. Pretty much everywhere we raced she has encountered terrible weather conditions or made bad mistakes in races where she was going really well.

“She has been running faster than ever this year but it has taken a while to adapt to running fast. Running fast on flat is one thing but when the hurdle comes you need to get your eye in. She has been training at a higher level and now she just can’t wait to get out there and just do her best.”

He reflected on the big upsets in 100m hurdles races in recent weeks and said he was not surprised.

“It’s called pressure. A lot of the girls have been running fast for a long, long time. Some of those girls have been running really quick since April. If they can stick it out until London I’ll have to say hats off but I feel there will be different things happening in that final.”

He said from his own experience, the Olympic Games was different to any other competition.

“It’s definitely an experience. Some people handle it well and some don’t. It’s almost a sense ofrelief to some of them to get there and that can be a problem. “I think this will be a great race, a great final and, hopefully, Derval will be right there in the thick of it. But no predictions. The aim all along wasalways to make the final.

“Derval has sacrificed a lot. She’s gone to races where there has been no financial reward. But, with Derval, it’s never been about money. With Derval it’s always about medals. If she can’t win medals she won’t compete. That is one of the reasons myself and Terri [his wife] coach her. That’s something you cannot coach an athlete.”