2010

TrackFan123

What are we expecting then?

World Indoors in Doha;

Surely Derval should be looking to medal here. David Gillick as well, he's won indoor titles before, stepped up into a true world class athlete ladst year and also a lot of the top guys wont be there. So he's surely got to be looking at gold. Cant think of anyoen else off my head who could realistically challenge for a medal.

European Team Championships;

We've been promoted to the first league where we will face the likes of Sweden, Portugal, Czech Republic and Belgium. If we can get our all our best athletes there and all on form hopefully we can put in a good overall performance and keep our place in the division, but it will be tough. Last year we got promoted but had a few athletes missing like Gillick.

World Juniors;

I know theres been a few controversial discussions about junior athletes but hopefully this could jsut be a quick word about who could challenge here, not their personal lives, how they train etc etc.

Obviously Mageean is our brightest hope. Anyone know what event she would most likely do? Or could she even double up. Other noteworthy athletes would be the ones who medalled at the Youth Olympics; Shane Quinn and Christine McMahon.

European Championships;

Our big hopes for gold here will be Derval O'Rourke - could have a titanic battle agaisnt Susanna Kallur if fit. Gillick will face stiff competition from the British contingent Rooney and Bingham (maybe even his training partner Chris Clarke) and also Dijone and Borlee but he has to be a big favourite for gold to add to his indoor medals.

Olive Loughnanne in the walks of course, along with Heffarnan.

Im really rooting for Hession to smash out a new PB and go for gold. Obviously the Brits will be strong competition (Chambers, Toby Sanderman etc) but his biggest threat could be the promising sprinter from Azerbaijan - Ramil Guliyev who has ran 20.08. If Hesh PB's he should medal.

Campbell and Chamney could be in the mix in the 800, both in the top 8 last season in Europe. Cragg is a contender in the 5k. Likewise Fagan in the 10k.

Mary Cullen will be the big hope for the women after her bronze indoors. Kelly Proper will be exciting to watch hopefully she can make the final here.

I really hope to see relays at these championships. I feel a competitive 4x400 could be put together on the mens side; Gillick, Gregan, Hession (a la John Regis) and one other, just need another low 46 runner.

Exciting times ahead indeed


HAPPY NEW YEAR! LETS HOPE ITS A GOOD ONE!

TrackFan123

no one arsed?

mamamia101

TrackFan123 wrote: »

no one arsed?

ill humour ya!
world indoors
yeah you got this about right!can wait to see derval over tthe shorter hurdles again!its where she is most dangerous,maybe anorther world title !that would be pretty amazing!gillick another that could get a medal!
hopefully kelly propers first time on te world stage too!great preparation mentally for euros this summer!
European cup
dont know enough about it but i thought it was really smart last year calling up the up and coming athletes!it really benefited alan o b last year putting on the irish vest and tasting victory also!it would be nice to see all the others out there aswel!
world juniors
youve got this just about right aswell!ciara has a great chance of another world medal!mc mahon and quinn did really well in achieving wat they did last year in finland!world juniors will be a great stepping stone for them too!another few to add to that list are mark patterson(euro final last summer),paul robinson (3.46) already has the standard as far as i know and daren mcbrerty(1.50) also has the standard!there could be a few finals among this list of names!not too mention catriona farrel in the high jump and id say there is a strong womens 4 by 1 team there aswel somewhere!
european championships
all the usual suspects should do well i just hope the medal count is big and injuries stay away!hopefully the likes of fagan ,cragg and keneally perform well in the distances!chamney over 1500 should be strong.campbell in the 8 should be a good final possibility!

youve got the rest about right so im not going to say anymore!

Running Bing

Dont think we'll do anything at worlds.

European championships could be good for us. You'd have to fancy Derval and Mary Cullen and Olive and Heff....would be disappointing if three of those four didnt at least medal.

If Chammney can continue to improve like last year he could be in the mix and going by his blog training seems to be going well for him. Would love to see him medal but its an outside shot.

Really cant see Cragg doing anything.

I think if Fagan is fit and focused he could do very well but he always seems a bit unsure about what his aims are and he seems plagued by injuries.

From a non-irish perspective Im most interested to see how the American athletes fare against the Africans this year. The tide seems to be slowly turning and it finally seems like the Americans are closing the gap (albeit slowly). Im particularly interested to see what Datahn Ritzenhein can do as he seems to have the right attitude, not to mention the ability, to really challenge.

Also interested to see if Alan Webb can do anything after a torrid time last year and it should be interesting to see a few attempts at the marathon record.

Pisco Sour

Derval and Gillick are very strong contenders at the World's.

At the Europeans we have very strong Gold medal prospects in Derval and Gillick, and medal prospects in Olive (Cant see her beating Olga Kaniskina) and Hesh. After that there are a few outside chances (Heffernan and Cullen, though I'd be very surprised if Mary got into the medals). I really hope to see Kelly Proper do well, and theres no reason why she cant make it well up into the top 8. I can see her really making big improvements this year.

thirtyfoot

Won't disagree with much of your medal contenders.

Gillick and DOR at Indoors are contenders.

Euros - DOR, Gillick, Mary C, Olive, Mens 4x4, Hesh are for me right now the best bets. If Fagan and Cragg want it enough they without doubt have the talent and class and would be added to the list.

European Team Champs - if we get all the big guns out we will be strong in 3 of the 4 areas (mens track and womens track & field) with only mens field the weakness. Getting all our athletes out will be the key, it should be a pre-requisite for them to compete.

TrackFan123

Seriously though the idea of a mens 4x4 at the Europeans excites me. At the moment i dont think we have enough speed to be competitive over the 4x1 for men. However could be a different story with the 400.

Gillick is a class act and will be one of the best there, hopefulyl he can build on last year and PB - i think maybe increasing his 200 speed could be the way to improve this year. If all goes right he could run a 44.5 and i feel only Rooney could challenge him there.

Gregan should get into the 45s, ran 46.2 a few weeks after being injured last year. If he gets it right he could run as low as 45.5, maybe quicker.

Hession would be my third man in the 4x4. His main strength in the 200 is his strength ... his speed endurance. Im pretty sure in a relay leg if he got dragged round by someone he could split 45 - just latch onto them and then kick away from them with his superior speed.

Then we just need another fella under 47. At the moment Brian Murphy is closest with a 47.07 last June. I was just wondering if Campbell or Chamney could run a fast 400?

thirtyfoot

TrackFan123 wrote: »

Seriously though the idea of a mens 4x4 at the Europeans excites me. At the moment i dont think we have enough speed to be competitive over the 4x1 for men. However could be a different story with the 400.

Gillick is a class act and will be one of the best there, hopefulyl he can build on last year and PB - i think maybe increasing his 200 speed could be the way to improve this year. If all goes right he could run a 44.5 and i feel only Rooney could challenge him there.

Gregan should get into the 45s, ran 46.2 a few weeks after being injured last year. If he gets it right he could run as low as 45.5, maybe quicker.

Hession would be my third man in the 4x4. His main strength in the 200 is his strength ... his speed endurance. Im pretty sure in a relay leg if he got dragged round by someone he could split 45 - just latch onto them and then kick away from them with his superior speed.

Then we just need another fella under 47. At the moment Brian Murphy is closest with a 47.07 last June. I was just wondering if Campbell or Chamney could run a fast 400?

Gordon Kennedy would the best bet if fully fit and would go 46 if he was. The 800 boys might do a decent 400 but unlikely they'd do 46 or even 47.

TheRoomWrecker

Tingle wrote: »

Gordon Kennedy would the best bet if fully fit and would go 46 if he was. The 800 boys might do a decent 400 but unlikely they'd do 46 or even 47.

yep there is a a group of 400m athletes that could get the final place after gillick, gregan, and the Hess,

kennedy if fit has the talent and potential to run sub 46

doyle will have to improve a good bit,

maybe john laffey can avoid injuries as I believe he is a super talent and still a bit of a novice at the 400m


would love to see what hession can do over 400
as this 300 below when he chased the great Jeremy Wariner shows his speed endurance is not too bad:cool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv6PBCpLWss&feature=PlayList&p=2B1A2CD75D7FF322&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=23

helpisontheway

Tingle wrote: »

Gordon Kennedy would the best bet if fully fit and would go 46 if he was. The 800 boys might do a decent 400 but unlikely they'd do 46 or even 47.

David McCarthy the 800m runner[former 400m runner] has a PB of 46.53!
Is Paul McKee still around,i know hes 32 but surely still capable of 46 if fit and injury free.
Id agree that Gordon K is the obvious candidate but either billy Ryan or John Laffey have the ability to make the breakthrough this season imo.I always tought Darragh Graham would have made a fantastic 400m runner;saw him run a relay leg in the league last year-Savage!

As for Individuals leaving out the obvious choices;Gillick,O Rourke etc,i can see Kelly Proper having a big year this year,Hopefully a Euro Final.
I also have a feeling that this is going to be a break through year for Tom Chamney in possibly the 1500m-possible Euro medal?
After Brittons XC run she will hopefully transfer it over to the Schase.
Hesh just has to medal in the 200m!

TheRoomWrecker

helpisontheway wrote: »

David McCarthy the 800m runner[former 400m runner] has a PB of 46.53!
Is Paul McKee still around,i know hes 32 but surely still capable of 46 if fit and injury free.

David has a pb of 46.05 indoor i know madness he never progressed at the 400

I think McKee is retired??? but I know of a few 'retired' top athletes that a making a hush hush comeback:eek:

Pisco Sour

Any chance we'll ever see Adrian O'Dwyer back? It pains me to think of how much of a wasted talent he was.

helpisontheway

04072511 wrote: »

Any chance we'll ever see Adrian O'Dwyer back? It pains me to think of how much of a wasted talent he was.

He competed a few times last year.Has supposedly been spotted training in Nenagh a few times this winter!
Any sign of Ciaran O Connell?

helpisontheway

TheRoomWrecker wrote: »

David has a pb of 46.05 indoor i know madness he never progressed at the 400

I think McKee is retired??? but I know of a few 'retired' top athletes that a making a hush hush comeback:eek:

Go on tell us who.;)

notsofast

04072511 wrote: »

Any chance we'll ever see Adrian O'Dwyer back? It pains me to think of how much of a wasted talent he was.

He has been training this winter but is injured again apparantly.

Kourosh is a better HJ prospect at this stage, 2.18 last year and now training at DCU, it will be very interesting to see how he gets on this year. 2.25 is standard for the Europeans and I wouldn't bet against him making it. Still only 19.

TrackFan123

What happened to McCarthy this year he only ran a 1.52?

Kennedy once ran a 33. 300m, if he can get back into that sort of form he should take the final spot for the relay, maybe evne claim an individual spot.

Billy Ryan should've ran at least 47.5 this year. He won the AAAs in 48.1 indoors but was then disqualified, but only 48.29 outdoors. Maybe he's just an athlete suited to running indoors?

limericklion

helpisontheway wrote: »

I also have a feeling that this is going to be a break through year for Tom Chamney in possibly the 1500m-possible Euro medal?

Chamneys best bet is in the 800 metre. The level of competition at 1500 metre at Eurpean level is world class. Meidi Baala the defending two time champion and third place in the Olympics. Juan Carlos Higuero forth at olympics behind Baala and a 3.31 runner. Andy Baddeley a sub 3.50 miler, Evestez and the other Spainards on home soil along with Ivan Hesko,and an Italian who made the Olympic final. The competition at 800 is tough put a top six is more realistic in this event.

TrackFan123

limericklion wrote: »

Chamneys best bet is in the 800 metre. The level of competition at 1500 metre at Eurpean level is world class. Meidi Baala the defending two time champion and third place in the Olympics. Juan Carlos Higuero forth at olympics behind Baala and a 3.31 runner. Andy Baddeley a sub 3.50 miler, Evestez and the other Spainards on home soil along with Ivan Hesko,and an Italian who made the Olympic final. The competition at 800 is tough put a top six is more realistic in this event.

Yeh i looked at the European rankings and Chmanye and Campbell are both in the top 8 in europe in 2009

traininglog

Mark Kenneally to run Lonon marathon and get the standard?

Kiptanui

Kenneally was inside the European 5000m standard last summer so I reckon he will probably concentrate on that. Any venture to the marathon would be carefully and strategically planned with Mark Carroll but I'd be surprised if he ran London. Mark Christie was only 2 seconds off the standard and his early season form would suggest a big PB and qualification time is well within him.

Re the earlier chat of 4x4, I hope hesh ticks to the 200 this summer. For once he is a genuine medal contender and shouldnt sacrifice it for an event that we won't get a medal in.

thirtyfoot

Kiptanui wrote: »

Re the earlier chat of 4x4, I hope hesh ticks to the 200 this summer. For once he is a genuine medal contender and shouldnt sacrifice it for an event that we won't get a medal in.

I think the suggestions of his inclusion are based on the fact that he wouldn't specifically target the event but just do it at the end of the champs a la Regis in Tokyo. He has spoken in the past about being part of it so its a possibility.

Timetable would permit, 200 final is on at 19:25 on Friday, heats of 4 x 400 on Saturday at 11:20 with Final on Sunday at 21:55. If we are going to be medal contenders then the squad could qualify for the final without him so he would have a days rest. If they can't qualify to final without him then they aren't medal contenders so no point risking him on the Saturday. Thats the way I'd see it. Its a no risk situation for him.

3:02 at the very least would be needed. That means 2 guys probably in the 45s that season and two consistent 46s (not including Hession). We'll have 1 44 man, one likely 45. Who knows what the season will throw up. Its worth looking at and is being targeted with plans to send a team to the world indoors if enough guys come up to scratch. Relays are great and more effort should be (and is) being put towards them. I'm sure Christine McMahon benefitted a lot from her non-participating trip to Turin last year as much as Gillick did on his trip to the World Juniors on a relay. Mens 4 x 4 are not an obvious medal hope but they are an outside chance.

Kiptanui

Tingle wrote: »

I think the suggestions of his inclusion are based on the fact that he wouldn't specifically target the event but just do it at the end of the champs a la Regis in Tokyo. He has spoken in the past about being part of it so its a possibility.

Timetable would permit, 200 final is on at 19:25 on Friday, heats of 4 x 400 on Saturday at 11:20 with Final on Sunday at 21:55. If we are going to be medal contenders then the squad could qualify for the final without him so he would have a days rest. If they can't qualify to final without him then they aren't medal contenders so no point risking him on the Saturday. Thats the way I'd see it. Its a no risk situation for him.

3:02 at the very least would be needed. That means 2 guys probably in the 45s that season and two consistent 46s (not including Hession). We'll have 1 44 man, one likely 45. Who knows what the season will throw up. Its worth looking at and is being targeted with plans to send a team to the world indoors if enough guys come up to scratch. Relays are great and more effort should be (and is) being put towards them. I'm sure Christine McMahon benefitted a lot from her non-participating trip to Turin last year as much as Gillick did on his trip to the World Juniors on a relay. Mens 4 x 4 are not an obvious medal hope but they are an outside chance.

Yeah definitely worth a shot if they were abe to get to the final without hesh - its a long shot but worth considering.
Totally agree re gillick and Christine McMahon. Same with Shane Quinn being sent to the euro cross last year; these are investments that will sometimes pay off and well worth the chance.

Relays have got a rather high profile in recent times and I hope the depth materialises to back it up. I think an outside medal chance is a little optimistic but I would be delighted to be wrong

TrackFan123

Kiptanui wrote: »

Kenneally was inside the European 5000m standard last summer so I reckon he will probably concentrate on that. Any venture to the marathon would be carefully and strategically planned with Mark Carroll but I'd be surprised if he ran London. Mark Christie was only 2 seconds off the standard and his early season form would suggest a big PB and qualification time is well within him.

Re the earlier chat of 4x4, I hope hesh ticks to the 200 this summer. For once he is a genuine medal contender and shouldnt sacrifice it for an event that we won't get a medal in.

I didnt mean he was going to switch to 400 and then be part of a relay. i just menat he could probably be our 2nd or 3rd best 400 runner if he ran in a relay. He has brilliant speed endurance as his 300m NR shows (which he ran against Wariner) and if he latched onto a high 44/low45 runner in the relay he could pull off a fantastic split.

thirtyfoot

Kiptanui wrote: »

Yeah definitely worth a shot if they were abe to get to the final without hesh - its a long shot but worth considering.

The top 4 last year have identical combined times as the top 4 (Gillick, McKee, McCarthy, Doyle) that qualified for the Euro Final back in 2006. As things stand, with all healthy and running ok they would qualify for the final as they could run 3:04/3:05.

Kiptanui wrote: »

Relays have got a rather high profile in recent times and I hope the depth materialises to back it up.

Why would depth have to materialise to back anything up. What is this higher profile you speak of - as in powers that be finally taking it half serious, is that what you mean? Depth is there in mens and only the 800 and 1500 has greater depth than the 400, the depth is there right now as there are potentially over half a dozen guys who could get the individual standard fro Barcelona. The profile (if any) came from the athletes taking ownership, eg, them setting up Project 400 for Beijing etc. At every major champs, it should be major focus to get a relay team, whether 4x1 or 4x4, going.

I don't think anyone who is trying to promote the event or get more activity on the relay front need to back anything up, they need more backup! That way we could have a great quartet in London '12 and for years ahead.

Kiptanui

Tingle wrote: »

The top 4 last year have identical combined times as the top 4 (Gillick, McKee, McCarthy, Doyle) that qualified for the Euro Final back in 2006. As things stand, with all healthy and running ok they would qualify for the final as they could run 3:04/3:05.



Why would depth have to materialise to back anything up. What is this higher profile you speak of - as in powers that be finally taking it half serious, is that what you mean? Depth is there in mens and only the 800 and 1500 has greater depth than the 400, the depth is there right now as there are potentially over half a dozen guys who could get the individual standard fro Barcelona. The profile (if any) came from the athletes taking ownership, eg, them setting up Project 400 for Beijing etc. At every major champs, it should be major focus to get a relay team, whether 4x1 or 4x4, going.

I don't think anyone who is trying to promote the event or get more activity on the relay front need to back anything up, they need more backup! That way we could have a great quartet in London '12 and for years ahead.

The depth I was referring to was the fact that if either Gillick or Gregan got injured then this bid is in the bin.Thats not a criticism, just an unfortunate fact that hopefully won't be a factor.

The comparison to the 800m and 1500m , while probably accurate is irrelevant as their is no team event in either discipline.

With regard to it being a specific focus, I think that the same level of support should be available for all potential qualifiers - not just a relay. Dick Hooper would request the same for the Marathon! AKB would probably contend that a fully fit senior ladies in the Euro Cross represent the best chance of Irish team medals at european level. Its simply a matter of preference.

If we are talking about building a 4x4 team for London and beyond then we should focus on guys like Billy Ryan. Regrettably McKee and Gordon Kennedy are unlikely to bring us there. Few would wager on either to equal their PB's again. I hope we get a team into the final and challenge for a medal but I believe its a long shot as we have no margin for error with either Gillick or Gregan.

myflipflops

TheRoomWrecker wrote: »

but I know of a few 'retired' top athletes that a making a hush hush comeback:eek:

I hope Tomas Coman is one. He was a serious talent.

thirtyfoot

Kiptanui wrote: »

If we are talking about building a 4x4 team for London and beyond then we should focus on guys like Billy Ryan. Regrettably McKee and Gordon Kennedy are unlikely to bring us there. Few would wager on either to equal their PB's again. I hope we get a team into the final and challenge for a medal but I believe its a long shot as we have no margin for error with either Gillick or Gregan.

McKee and Kennedy aren't in the equation I used regarding the top 4 last year and their comparison to the 2006 team - only Gillick would remain from that team. If they are fit they would be a huge bonus and would add greatly to the team (and its depth). David McCarthy hasn't even been considered, the potential that huge improvements from Billy Ryan (now training with Dakin) could take place or that the likes of Laffey or Hogan shake off their problems of last season and progress again. Here is a list of guys who can get close to low 47 next season:

Gillick
Gregan
Burke
Murphy
Laffey
Hogan
Ryan
Kennedy
McKee
McCarthy (to make it ten).

That is depth. Granted if Gillick is hurt then we are screwed but how many teams would survive the absence of a 44 man. Very few. All on paper I know its fun to surmise and talk about these things. Forgot to add Hesh to that list too.