ATHLETICS: Defending 400metres champion David Gillick is one of five athletes added to the 18-strong Irish squad destined for the European Indoor Championships in Turin, Italy next month.
Gillick took the 400metres gold in 2005 and again in 2007 but, by his own standards, had a disappointing Olympics in Beijing. That said the Dublin runner has made a good start to 2009 and is currently ranked third in Europe.
The four other athletes added to the team are Ailis McSweeney (Leevale AC), Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank AC), David McCarthy (La Cheile AC) and Jessica Zebo (Leevale AC). Pole-vaulter Zoe Brown was also added to the original squad last weekend after her performance at the Celtic Cup in Cardiff.
Paul Hession, Derval O’Rourke and Mary Cullen also provide Ireland with medal hopes. Hession was one of Ireland’s outstanding performers at the Beijing Olympics and will hope to be in contention for a medal in Turin.
Cullen is Ireland’s in-form athlete after finishing fourth at the European Cross Country Championships before Christmas before going on to break Sonia O’Sullivan’s 3000m Irish indoor record.
McSweeney and O’Rourke will both be in action this evening at an indoor meet in Prague as they continue their build up to the European Indoors.
The European Indoor Championships take place in Turin from Friday, March 6th-8th.
Irish Team:
60metres - Paul Hession (Athenry AC), 60m - Ailis McSweeney (Leevale AC), Niamh Whelan (Ferrybank AC), 400m - David Gillick (Dundrum South Dublin), 400m - Marian Andrews (Togher AC), Bronagh Furlong (Slaney Olympic AC), 800m - David McCarthy (La Cheile AC), 1500m - Roisin McGettigan (Sli Chulainn AC), 3000m - Deirdre Byrne (Sli Chulainn AC), Mary Cullen (North Sligo AC), 60m Hurdles - Derval O’Rourke (Leevale AC), High Jump - Deirdre Ryan (UCD AC), Pole Vault - Zoe Brown (Unattached), Long Jump - Kelly Proper (Ferrybank AC), 4x400m Relay - Marian Andrews (Togher AC), Bronagh Furlong (Slaney Olympic AC), Gemma Hynes (Galway City Harriers AC), Claire Bergin (Dundrum South Dublin AC), Christine McMahon (Ballymena & Antrim AC), Jessica Zebo (Leevale AC)