Athletics Ireland have announced their largest team ever to compete in the forthcoming World Indoor Championships at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham from March 14th-16th.
The team announcement follows a highly successful week for the Irish at the AAA Championships, also in Birmingham, last weekend. The team will be led by Nenagh Olympic's speed merchant, Gary Ryan, after becoming the fastest Irish sprinter with a time of 6.73 seconds for the 60metres in Birmingham at the weekend.
UCD's James Nolan earns his place after strong performances in South Africa recently while Maria Lynch, a silver medallist in Birmingham, is selected for both the 1,500m and 3,000m along with club team-mate Maria McCambridge.
Another notable, Ballymena and Antrim's Paul Brizell takes his place in the Irish team after shaving 17 hundredths of a second from Ryan's week old 200m national record, clocking a time of 20.78 at the AAA meet.
Irish Team, Men:60m Gary Ryan - Birmingham, Mark Howard - Cardiff, Paul Brizzel - Birmingham. 200m Gary Ryan - Birmingham. 400m Paul McKee - Stockholm, David McCarthy - Birmingham. 1500m James Nolan - Dortmund. 4x4 from McKee, Ryan, McCarthy, Brizzel, Antoine Burke, Daniel Tobin.
Women:200m Ciara Sheehy - Birmingham. 400m Karen Shinkins - Blacksburg. 1500 Maria Lynch - Belfast. 3000m Maria Lynch - Belfast, Maria McCambridge - Belfast, 60m H Derval O'Rourke - Birmingham.
Management:Manager Paddy Marley, Head Coach. Paddy McGrattan, Coach. Paddy Fay. Doctor, Fionnuala Lysaght. Physio, Barry Walsh.
