Chance of an Irish challenge come March

ATHLETICS/European Indoor Championships:With two real medal contenders and several dark horses there's an obvious sense of optimism surrounding the Irish team for the European Indoor championships, which take place in Birmingham in just under two weeks time, March 2nd-4th.

Athletics Ireland won't be officially announcing that team until next Monday, although it more or less picked itself following the National championships in Belfast last weekend.

There are still a few places to be rubber-stamped, starting with James Nolan in the 1,500 metres. Nolan withdrew from Sunday's 800 metres final in Belfast, having run 1:50.76 in his qualifying heat, because of a hamstring strain - and Athletics Ireland are waiting on his performance in the 3,000 metres in Stockholm this evening before making a decision.

"James will need to prove his fitness," said Liam Hennessy, chairman of the high performance committee. "We're also double-checking with a couple more athletes before announcing the team. Officially the closing date for selection is next Sunday but it is unlikely any additions will be made at this stage as we don't want athletes scrambling around for qualifying times midweek".

"But we have been fairly open with our qualifying criteria. We had laid down qualifying standards but they were more of a guideline, because of the shortness of the season etc. So certain athletes have been chosen on performance rather than times."

Nolan is confident his hamstring injury is not serious, and is in fact aiming for a personal best over 3,000 metres this evening - with the possibility of also entering that event in Birmingham, along with the 1,500 metres. A fast Stockholm meeting is certainly on the cards, given the field includes Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele who set a world record run of 4:49.99 over 2,000 metres on Saturday.

"It would have been stupid to jeopardise my chances in Birmingham by aggravating the injury," said Nolan, "and I felt it was the wise decision to withdraw. My goal all winter has been taking a medal in Birmingham and having won a few races this year I feel that aim is coming to fruition."

"By running the 3,000 metres in Stockholm I will not have to stretch my hamstring in the same way as I would in an 800 metres, and this race was always part of my build-up for Birmingham. Thankfully I've been able to get some very good treatment on the hamstring and it seems to be responding well. So I'm optimistic about a very solid performance here. I ran a personal best for the 1,000 metres last week and that would indicate to me that there is nothing wrong with my speed."

Even if Nolan does run well it's unlikely he'll get a spot in the 3,000 metres at this stage. Each country is allowed three athletes per event, and three Irish athletes are already provisionally selected - Alistair Cragg, Mark Carroll and Mark Christie. As defending champion, Cragg was always a shoo in, and his 7:43.30 clocking earlier this month ranks him second in Europe behind Frenchman Bouab Tahri who set a time of 7:38.41 in France last month.

Carroll is also set for Birmingham on the back of his 7:52.07 and Christie is also being offered a place after winning the national title at the weekend in 7:58.12, setting a championship best in the process.

Ireland will also have their full quota in the 1,500 metres - assuming Nolan is passed fit - as both Gareth Turnbull and Liam Reale have also done enough in recent weeks to ensure their selection. Turnbull is hitting form at the right time and is one of the outsiders for a medal.

Completing the team at this stage will be Paul Hession and Anna Boyle (60 metres), Thomas Chamney (800 metres), Mary Cullen (3,000 metres), Deirdre Ryan (high jump) and of course David Gillick - the defending 400-metres champion - the fastest in Europe this season following a time of 45.9 in Germany last weekend.