Ireland upbeat despite McKee's absence

ATHLETICS: The withdrawal through injury of Paul McKee, the World Indoor bronze medallist over 400 metres, has seriously hit the Irish men's team chances of promotion from their European Cup division, which starts tomorrow in Aarhus, Denmark.

The Irish men compete in the Second League Group A - the second lowest of the five divisions - against Austria, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the Small States selection. The top two countries over the two-day competition gain promotion to the First League Group B, and while the Irish are still sure to contest the leading places, McKee's absence could yet prove fatal to the drive for promotion.

After an encouraging start to his outdoor season, including a 45.95-second clocking in Seville earlier this month, McKee has been sidelined for much of the past week with a hamstring injury. Even close to his best, McKee would have guaranteed the Irish top points in the event, although clearly there are more important goals for the season, such as the World Championships in Paris in late August.

To make things worse, Ireland's second choice in the 400 metres, Tomás Coman, has also had to withdraw because of a minor thigh-muscle injury. But such is the depth in the squad that the next choice, David McCarthy, who was also a finalist at the World Indoor championships, could still challenge for the top place.

It won't be easy, however, for Ireland to secure many other victories. James Nolan is gradually regaining his best form but his event, the 800 metres, includes Switzerland's world champion, Andre Bucher, who has a best of 1:42.55 - nearly four seconds quicker than Nolan's.

Last week, Gareth Turnbull was also forced to withdraw from the 1,500 metres through illness, and his replacement, young Colm Rooney, may lack the experience to record a win. Incredibly, one of the Ireland's best chances for victory is in the javelin, where veteran Terry McHugh continues to produce throws in excess of 70 metres.

The Irish women contest the far more competitive First League Group A - the next division after the Superleague - and hosted by the Finnish town of Lappeenranta. All seven opposing countries have greater depth, especially in the field events, making survival the only real aim of the weekend. Completing the section are Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Hungary, Belarus, Lithuania and Poland.

Last year's European Indoor 400 metre bronze medallist, Karen Shinkins, starts her outdoor season a little unsure of her form, but at her best she can compete for maximum points. But with Sonia O'Sullivan unavailable because of her altitude training in Switzerland, it's not easy to see where else Ireland might gain the necessary points to avoid relegation.

Mary Cullen, who last weekend contested the American NCAA championships for Providence College, will run the 3,000 metres, with Maria McCambridge going over 5,000 metres.

Back at home, the domestic schools season climaxes tomorrow with the staging of the Tailteann Inter-provincial Games in Tullamore, which starts at 11.30, and covers all events in the intermediate grade (under-17) for boys and girls.

Alistair Cragg, meanwhile, who concluded his American collegiate season with victory in the NCAA 5,000 metres last weekend, is set to base himself in Ireland, and has targeted the Cork City Sports on July 5th as his first race on Irish soil. It is also expected he will run with Clonliffe Harriers because of the ties the club still hold with his coach at Arkansas, Mayo-born John McDonnell.