Athletics Ireland announce team of 13 for European Indoor Champs

Athletics Ireland announce team for European Indoor Championships

13-strong team selected for Birmingham event

26th Feb 2007

Athletics Ireland has named a team of 13 to compete at this year’s European Indoor Championships, which take place this weekend in Birmingham.

The team includes 2005 European Indoor Champions David Gillick and Alistair Cragg.  Gillick, who took the gold in the 400m in Madrid two years ago, has just recovered from flu which prevented him from taking part in the Irish indoors last weekend.  Paul Hession who recently broke the Irish 60m record is also included.  Derval O’Rourke is absent from the squad as she opted out to concentrate on the outdoor season.  

Liam Hennessy, Chair of the High Performance Committee, was optimistic at the announcement.  “Our record of success at the European Indoor Championships has been significant. One of the great occasions in the recent history of the sport was the glorious Saturday night in Madrid at these championships two years ago when David Gillick and Alistair Cragg won gold medals in the 400 and 3000 metres respectively. 

We know that to succeed at this level is a formidable achievement, nevertheless we are delighted to be announcing an impressive team list here today and we look forward with anticipation to some high-level results in Birmingham this weekend”, Hennessy said.

Team manager Patsy McGonagle feels confident of some good performances in Birmingham.  “There is a buzz around the Irish team these days and Birmingham provides the opportunity for this successful period in Irish Athletics to continue.

We have enjoyed marvellous moments in European indoor competitions with names like O’Sullivan Coghlan, Shinkins, Kyle, Nolan, Carroll, Purcell, Flynn and Murphy, all impacting in a major way and bringing us bang up to date with the fantastic results of Madrid two years ago down to David Gillick and Alastair Cragg.  Team Ireland approach these championships targeting medals, national records indeed in certain cases focusing on making a final”, McGonagle said.

The European Indoor Championships take place this weekend, the 2nd to the 4th of March in Birmingham.

European Indoor Championships 2007 - Birmingham
March 2nd – 4th
Irish Team
Anna Boyle (Ballymena and Antrim)
Mark Carroll (Leevale)
Thomas Chamney (Crusaders AC)
Mark Christie (Mullingar Harriers)
Alistair Cragg (Clonliffe AC)
Mary Cullen (North Sligo)
David Gillick (Dundrum South Dublin)
Paul Hession (Athenry AC)
David McCarthy (Le Cheile AC)
James Nolan (UCD)
Liam Reale (Limerick AC)
Deirdre Ryan (Dundrum South Dublin)
Gareth Turnbull (St. Malachy’s)

Ends

For further information:
Declan Lee – O’Herlihy Communications – 01 660 2744
Elaine Fitzgerald – Athletics Ireland – 01 886 9962