O'Lionaird times his run to perfection to book semis spot

ATHLETICS: IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: THE BEST thing about Ciarán O'Lionaird progressing to the semi-finals of the 1,500 metres isn't just the shot in the arm it gives Irish distance running, but also the guarantee that the occasion usually comes with at least one good quote.

O’Lionaird has already revived some tradition this summer by moving to fourth on the all-time list, with the 3:34.46 he ran last month, and his laid-back – or rather throw-back – attitude: now he goes in the second of two semi-finals in Daegu tomorrow (11.55am Irish time) looking to become only the second ever Irish 1,500m finalist, and first since Niall Bruton way back in 1995.

It’s a big ask, naturally, for the 24-year-old, in what is his first major championships. However, O’Lionaird finished strongly in yesterday’s heat, the third of three, passing three runners in the home straight to nail sixth place in 3:40.41 – and with that secure one of the automatic qualifying positions.

He admitted afterwards he ran a little tactically naive, and got himself dangerously boxed in around the last lap, yet reckoned what helped him keep his cool was the episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm he’d watched the evening before.

“World Championships heats can be quite unnerving due to the pushing etc,” said O’Lionaird, “so I was chilling in the back of the pack, laughing in my mind to Larry David, and the Car Periscope episode I watched the night before.

“It worked a treat.

“Thanks Larry. Lessons for running, lessons for life. Curb your enthusiasm.”

The Leevale runner has the advantage of going in the second heat tomorrow knowing only the first five, plus the two fastest losers, will progress.

Among those he faces are Daniel Kipchirchir Komen from Kenya, who is certain to make the pace fast, like he did in his heat, and fellow Kenyan Asbel Kiprop, the reigning Olympic champion – and it will probably require something considerably quicker than 3:40.41 to qualify.

O’Lionaird also won’t want to leave it as late this time, given he still considers himself more of a 5,000m runner.

With today’s programme effectively a rest day – with the exception of the women’s 20km walk, which took place in the early hours of this morning – O’Lionaird also gets a full day to recover, with one further Irish athlete coming into the action tonight when Deirdre Ryan goes in the high jump qualifying round, probably needing to improve her best of 1.93 metres to reach Saturday’s final.