Record breaking feats merely papering over cracks in Irish athletics

A Sport Ireland review lifted the lid on the underperformance of the Irish team in Tokyo, with coaches and athletes banging a drum that’s as familiar now as it was 20 years ago

The 50.70 400m run by Rhasidat Adeleke in Texas on Sunday means that the Dubliner is now the fastest Irishwoman of all time at 60m, 200m, 300m and 400m – all at the age of 19. ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

At a time when Irish athletics – in an official, organisational capacity – was ducking for cover, taking a very public beating, it was left to those who so long papered over its cracks – the athletes – to inject some positivity.

First there was the Irish shot put record set by Eric Favors, the 25-year-old throwing 20.07m in Puerto Rico last Thursday. Then there was the national 800m record set by Louise Shanahan in Belfast on Saturday, the Leevale athlete clocking 1:59.42 to edge Ciara Mageean in a thriller.