How well will the Irish do in Barsalona ??

kilkenny runner

With a good World Championships last year, the Europeans are getting closer........
It looks like the irish will have it's strongest and biggest squad heading to Barsalona........

What your thought on the chances for finalists and medals ????

Gillick to medal ??
Derval for gold ??? kallur is bad tho :mad:
Hession ???
olive to be the star again ??
maybe mary cullen, cragg or fagan to steal the show ??

Pisco Sour

kilkenny runner wrote: »

With a good World Championships last year, the Europeans are getting closer........
It looks like the irish will have it's strongest and biggest squad heading to Barsalona........

What your thought on the chances for finalists and medals ????

Gillick to medal ??
Derval for gold ??? kallur is bad tho :mad:
Hession ???
olive to be the star again ??
maybe mary cullen, cragg or fagan to steal the show ??

I can only base this on last year's form as we dont know how well they are going to run this season, and whether they stay injury free.

But my guesses would be:

Gillick has a great shot at gold and at the very least should come away with a medal. I'd be surprised if he didnt at least medal.

Derval has a chance at Gold for sure, but if fully fit and on top form Kallur will be tough to beat. Definetely a good chance of a medal.

Hesh has a chance at a medal but I doubt he'd get gold. He could be up against Chambers and the Azerbaijan chap so it certainly wont be easy for him to make the medals but I'd give him a decent shot at it anyway.

Olive of course is another medal shot, but remember that the Walking events are dominated by Europeans so it wont be much easier than the Worlds were, and Olga Kaniskina is in a league of her own. If Olive got a medal of any colour I'd be thrilled.

4 really good shots of a medal, but what are the chances that they all medal? Not high. My guess is probably 2 medals. Maybe 3.

Nobody else will medal I dont think, but Cullen, Fagan, Proper and Chamney could impress with strong top 8 performances. A keen interest in seeing how Kelly gets on. She is one for the future.

Pisco Sour

I'd also add the 4x4 as a possible medal chance but it all depends on the scheduling of the races and whether we would have our best team available for the heats.

myflipflops

Gillick is odds on to medal. If he carries his indoor form (and fitness) to Europeans then he's in national record form and 44.7/44.8 WILL medal in Barcelona.

Derval is about the most hot and cold athlete I've ever seen. Her chances there depend completely on how she's going at the time. She has the obvious ability to medal along with the potential to be a round one exit.

Hession is quite interesting. It looks an open 200 in Barcelona and he's been a very solid championship runner for the last 2 years. On known form, he should be in the final with a middle lane.

Presumably Olive Loughnane has a slightly better medal chance in Barcelona than she did in Berlin????

Of the others, Fagan would be competitve in the marathon if he got there fit. It seems his body doesn't like marathon training though.

I'm predicting 2 medals of any colour in Barcelona.

04072511 wrote: »

I'd also add the 4x4 as a possible medal chance but it all depends on the scheduling of the races and whether we would have our best team available for the heats.

I can't think of a team that would really put us in with a shout. World indoors was a big wake up call there.

Rineanna

A lot will come down to who of the competitors are fit and healthy.

In Gillick's case, if the Borlée twins are both fit and healthy and his trining partner Martyn Rooney is back at his best, then it's not going to be an easy ride, even for a minor medal.

In O'Rourke's case, I've learned the worst thing to do is write her off even if she's in crutches a week before the championships or something. With her, it really doesn't matter what she's run prior to the championships, as Berlin showed us last year. If she's Fit and healthy going in, then it doesn't matter if her SB is just under 13 seconds. That said, it'll be interesting to see Kallur's form and if she'll remain healthy. You also have to throw Christina Vukicevic, Carolin Nytra (she's a bit of a yo-yo) and the Czech Skrobakova into the mix, with Kondakova and Yanit to a lesser extent. It'll prob take 12.7x to win.

If this was three years ago, then I would've said Hession would nearly be a lock for at least a Silver. He's been consistent in the 20.4, dipping into 20.3, for a couple of years, but the event's moved on, and, as noted above, you now have Guliyev, Lemaitre, and a couple of emerging Britons (plus Chambers if he takes 200m seriously).

Cragg. I honestly don't know. He has the potential to medal at 5k or 10k but Bezabeh, other Spaniards, Farah, etc will be tough. Being pessimistic, can't see him medalling based on Championship form since 2005 indoors.

I'm hoping this is Cullen's breakout year in the 5000m after her run of bad luck outdoors. She's already run 15.27 this season, and 8.59 in the 3k, but I'd imagine there's much more to come when she gets into a decent race. Health is the key with her. She said in an interview, think it was last year, that she definitely thinks she had the A standrad for the worlds in her (sub 15.10?), so if she can run that sort of time she should be in for a top 6 (8?) finish. With the likes of Abygelesse, Bekele, Weissteiner and the Portugese contingent, a medal will be tough but not out of reach.

Agree with above about Kanaskina, but would definitely not rule out a Silver again for Loughnane due to experience.

Now that Chamney and Campbell have broke through 1.46, hopefully one or both will make final.

As for Proper, would love to see her consistent around 6.6x this summer season after her 6.62 indoors.

myflipflops

Rineanna wrote: »

Cragg. I honestly don't know. He has the potential to medal at 5k or 10k but Bezabeh, other Spaniards, Farah, etc will be tough. Being pessimistic, can't see him medalling based on Championship form since 2005 indoors.
.

I don't know what his plans are but I'm not sure we'll see Cragg in Barcelona.

If he's taken a real step up to marathon training then his ability to medal at 5k are probably terminally dimished considering Farah, Sanchez amd Bezabeh are knocking about.

He's a bit of an enigma though so I wouldn't rule out him running and even winning the 10k!!

Pisco Sour

Anyone heading over to the championships? I'm thinking of doing the Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat. That way I get to see Derval, Hesh, Gill and Olive in all their races bar Gillicks first round heat which he should sail though.

Thinking of going for a class C ticket to keep the cost down.

Rineanna

04072511 wrote: »

Anyone heading over to the championships? I'm thinking of doing the Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat. That way I get to see Derval, Hesh, Gill and Olive in all their races bar Gillicks first round heat which he should sail though.

Thinking of going for a class C ticket to keep the cost down.

I'll hopefully head over if I can, not sure yet. May also just pick two or three days. I did the dog on Berlin last year and spent a small fortune so might try and keep costs down for this year.

Pisco Sour

Rineanna wrote: »

I'll hopefully head over if I can, not sure yet. May also just pick two or three days. I did the dog on Berlin last year and spent a small fortune so might try and keep costs down for this year.

Flights about 200
Tickets 100
Hostel 5 x 25 = 125

Then allow 150 for expenses

575 for the trip! Not too bad.

Must try get a hostel near the stadium!

woodchopper

Cragg. I honestly don't know. He has the potential to medal at 5k or 10k but Bezabeh, other Spaniards, Farah, etc will be tough. Being pessimistic, can't see him medalling based on Championship form since 2005 indoors.

Cragg will not medal in 5k but should scrape a medal in the 10k if he does it. The race is sub standard for international level at 10k (very few sub 28min guys) with only rui silva of portugal and a couple of lesser known spaniards likely to challenge and the fast finishing german. Only Cragg actually competes with the EAST Africans the rest are cowards so cragg has more courage then ye folk give him credit for.

TrackFan123

myflipflops wrote: »

I can't think of a team that would really put us in with a shout. World indoors was a big wake up call there.

Gillick on first to keep us in contention (not some 48. runner)

Gregan second (hopefully running 45. )

Hession third! (a la John Regis, all he needs to do is latch onto someone and then kick down the home straight, he relies more on speed endurance than pure speed so i reckon he could pull out a 45. relay split)

McCarthy on anchor, showed improved form this indoors, again i feel in a relay (runnign start) he could split 45. and would be very strong on anchor

myflipflops

woodchopper wrote: »

Only Cragg actually competes with the EAST Africans the rest are cowards so cragg has more courage then ye folk give him credit for.

Who didn't give him credit? I think he's a phenomonal athlete.

Decent bloke too apparently.

TrackFan123

Another challenge to Derval could be Jess Ennis if she runs the hurdles, which she was planning on doing in Berlin

Pisco Sour

Rineanna wrote: »

I'll hopefully head over if I can, not sure yet. May also just pick two or three days. I did the dog on Berlin last year and spent a small fortune so might try and keep costs down for this year.

Actually where would you advise to be the best place to book my tickets for?

http://www.bcn2010.org/paginasFront/Noticies/Detall_Noticies_/_IZ5g6X2evdGM6e5B-6J7zAVvQfJ9bvsPYfg51h1l3F1EdvEho9Q2TqaPs6KcmmiPobdV33rdRsY

I want to sit in Zone 3, but Zone 3 is enormous so where abouts within this section would you recommend? I was thinking over behind the start line for the 100m and Hurdles events would be pretty cool. Maybe up towards the back of the first tier to get a nice view. Would also be a good spot to catch the 200m and 400m runners coming around the final bend.

shels4ever

04072511 wrote: »

Anyone heading over to the championships? I'm thinking of doing the Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat. That way I get to see Derval, Hesh, Gill and Olive in all their races bar Gillicks first round heat which he should sail though.

Thinking of going for a class C ticket to keep the cost down.

Looking at a week in Salou around that time so it might work out well, Havent told the OH that i might go to a race ( for a few days).

brutes1

Is Mary C targetting the 5 k or 10 k or both does anyone know- assume its the 5k, im sure she will be close to a medal.

Wonder will any of the marathon mission squad make it - Fagan and Mccambridge have the times already am i right in thinking...

ecoli

brutes1 wrote: »

Is Mary C targetting the 5 k or 10 k or both does anyone know- assume its the 5k, im sure she will be close to a medal.

Wonder will any of the marathon mission squad make it - Fagan and Mccambridge have the times already am i right in thinking...

Fagan came out saying that it is one of his big targets this year however with pulling out of his spring marathon will be interesting to see is that still the case.

runjb

David Gillick has the potential to win gold - but in my opinion his main challenger will not be M Rooney or the Borlée twins but a certain Leslie Djhone.

He ran one 400m indoor race in 45.85, and a 300m in 32.47 both new French records, which clearly states his in his best form yet!! With an outdoor PB of 44.46 set at a major championships I'd be a little worried that he is going to be in taht kind of shape once more this summer going by his form indoors. He clearly stated after his limited indoor season that his main focus was the Europeans and that he wasn't going to waste more time on Indoors. I think a 44.60/70 will be needed for gold!

Gillick for silver I think, gold I hope!

Derval O'Rourke - Our best chance of a gold medal. On her day she will beat anyone. She is currently in very good shape - maybe her best shape yet!
Suzanna Kallur hasn't raced in about a year and a half - I read that she hopes to run Europeans and defend her title. I think she will be a little race rusty and with hurdles it does take a few months of racing to get back into it. Saying that she is a fierce competitor, but still I would tip our Derval this summer to beat her. I don't think Jessica Ennis will be any threat - and personally I don't think she will compete in the hurdles - if she does, I don't think she is a threat for gold. Christina Vukicevic will be a girl I think we should watch out for.

Bring it home Derval!!

Paul Hession will be up against it for a medal to be honest. I think a place in the final and a top 6 finish would be a very good outcome.

Maybe Mary Cullen could sneak a medal of some colour in the 5K - she is in good shape and expect her to be determined come summer time especially after her disappointment at the Europeans CC.

I hope Róisín McGettigan can get back to the form she was in over a year ago and be up there among the best in the women's Steeple chase. Maybe a dark horse for Ireland this summer.

Olive Loughnane will once again be a medal contender - it will be just as competitive as the world's so a medal of any colour would be super expecially with some classy Russians against her.

Other top finishes hopefully will come from Joanne Cuddihy, Kelly Proper, Alistar Cragg, Robery Heffernan, Eileen O'Keeffe etc.

I can't wait:D

TrackFan123

runjb wrote: »

David Gillick has the potential to win gold - but in my opinion his main challenger will not be M Rooney or the Borlée twins but a certain Leslie Djhone.

He ran one 400m indoor race in 45.85, and a 300m in 32.47 both new French records, which clearly states his in his best form yet!! With an outdoor PB of 44.46 set at a major championships I'd be a little worried that he is going to be in taht kind of shape once more this summer going by his form indoors. He clearly stated after his limited indoor season that his main focus was the Europeans and that he wasn't going to waste more time on Indoors. I think a 44.60/70 will be needed for gold!

Gillick for silver I think, gold I hope!

Derval O'Rourke - Our best chance of a gold medal. On her day she will beat anyone. She is currently in very good shape - maybe her best shape yet!
Suzanna Kallur hasn't raced in about a year and a half - I read that she hopes to run Europeans and defend her title. I think she will be a little race rusty and with hurdles it does take a few months of racing to get back into it. Saying that she is a fierce competitor, but still I would tip our Derval this summer to beat her. I don't think Jessica Ennis will be any threat - and personally I don't think she will compete in the hurdles - if she does, I don't think she is a threat for gold. Christina Vukicevic will be a girl I think we should watch out for.

Bring it home Derval!!

Paul Hession will be up against it for a medal to be honest. I think a place in the final and a top 6 finish would be a very good outcome.

I think Rooney is the big rival, as is the better Borlee. Dihjone also looks in good form but i think Rooney is the one who could go below 44.5 - such a talent. Shame he doesnt run for us (turned up to his first GB international with an Irish passport)

Ennis certainly could be a big threat if she did compete over the sticks ... she ran 12.81 last year with a 8.25 60mH SB to her name (8.18 pb), this year she has ran 7.95 and dropped her 60m flat pb by a big chunk as well, without a particularly good start - factor in her strong speed endurance (rapid 200m times) and brilliant competitive spirit she could be a very strong competitor over the hurdles. I think she could run 12.6

Hession definately has a chance of a medal, he was ranked 4th European last year and I think 2nd European in the Worlds, it wasnt his best year either so hopefully he can get back to his best and improve his NR (I just hope his peak wasnt 2007). Gulyiev he wont beat (though I think that guy is dodgy, as are most Azerbaijani athletes it seems ...), Herring from junior the other junior last year and which ever Brits are running are his main threats, but I think he can take all them. I doubt Chambers will attempt to double up again. Jeffrey Lawal-Balogun is the one to watch, only been in the sport for approx 4 years and has a 20.38 to his name.

Pisco Sour

TrackFan123 wrote: »

Ennis certainly could be a big threat if she did compete over the sticks ... she ran 12.81 last year with a 8.25 60mH SB to her name (8.18 pb), this year she has ran 7.95 and dropped her 60m flat pb by a big chunk as well, without a particularly good start - factor in her strong speed endurance (rapid 200m times) and brilliant competitive spirit she could be a very strong competitor over the hurdles. I think she could run 12.6

Ennis won't be competing in the hurdles. It clashes with the Heptathlon which is on towards the end of the championships.

brutes1

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/european_athletics_championships_20101.pdf


These are the times needed to qualify, wonder how many are already qualified...should be a big enough team hopefully...

TrackFan123

04072511 wrote: »

Ennis won't be competing in the hurdles. It clashes with the Heptathlon which is on towards the end of the championships.

Ah right. Didn't know that. Thanks

Milesandmiles

04072511 wrote: »

Actually where would you advise to be the best place to book my tickets for?

http://www.bcn2010.org/paginasFront/Noticies/Detall_Noticies_/_IZ5g6X2evdGM6e5B-6J7zAVvQfJ9bvsPYfg51h1l3F1EdvEho9Q2TqaPs6KcmmiPobdV33rdRsY

I want to sit in Zone 3, but Zone 3 is enormous so where abouts within this section would you recommend? I was thinking over behind the start line for the 100m and Hurdles events would be pretty cool. Maybe up towards the back of the first tier to get a nice view. Would also be a good spot to catch the 200m and 400m runners coming around the final bend.

I haven't looked at tickets yet but if past major championships are anything to go on, you'll just be using your ticket to get in. Once inside you'll be able to roam quite a bit, esp if you're thick skinned. Unfortunately the stadium is unlikely to be full so you'll be able to choose where you want to sit... within your section anyway.

Pisco Sour

Milesandmiles wrote: »

I haven't looked at tickets yet but if past major championships are anything to go on, you'll just be using your ticket to get in. Once inside you'll be able to roam quite a bit, esp if you're thick skinned. Unfortunately the stadium is unlikely to be full so you'll be able to choose where you want to sit... within your section anyway.

Do you reckon there is much point in even buying tickets beforehand so? Would I be better off just paying at the gate?

runjb

TrackFan123 wrote: »

I think Rooney is the big rival, as is the better Borlee. Dihjone also looks in good form but i think Rooney is the one who could go below 44.5 - such a talent. Shame he doesnt run for us (turned up to his first GB international with an Irish passport)

Ennis certainly could be a big threat if she did compete over the sticks ... she ran 12.81 last year with a 8.25 60mH SB to her name (8.18 pb), this year she has ran 7.95 and dropped her 60m flat pb by a big chunk as well, without a particularly good start - factor in her strong speed endurance (rapid 200m times) and brilliant competitive spirit she could be a very strong competitor over the hurdles. I think she could run 12.6

Hession definately has a chance of a medal, he was ranked 4th European last year and I think 2nd European in the Worlds, it wasnt his best year either so hopefully he can get back to his best and improve his NR (I just hope his peak wasnt 2007). Gulyiev he wont beat (though I think that guy is dodgy, as are most Azerbaijani athletes it seems ...), Herring from junior the other junior last year and which ever Brits are running are his main threats, but I think he can take all them. I doubt Chambers will attempt to double up again. Jeffrey Lawal-Balogun is the one to watch, only been in the sport for approx 4 years and has a 20.38 to his name.

I don't think Rooney will dip below 44.50 to be honest. He has struggled to recapture his form from 2008 and David and one or two others should have the beating of him.

Hession has a slight chance of a medal but at European Championships athletes who mightn't have ran the world's 200m will certainly fancy their chances here. Don't go by results of the worlds when trying to predict winners in this event. Should be exciting and Paul will probably need to smash the NR to sneak a medal - fingers crossed!!

TrackFan123

runjb wrote: »

I don't think Rooney will dip below 44.50 to be honest. He has struggled to recapture his form from 2008 and David and one or two others should have the beating of him.

Hession has a slight chance of a medal but at European Championships athletes who mightn't have ran the world's 200m will certainly fancy their chances here. Don't go by results of the worlds when trying to predict winners in this event. Should be exciting and Paul will probably need to smash the NR to sneak a medal - fingers crossed!!

Thats because Rooney was injured all of last year! Still managed a 45.3 though and a very quick relay leg in Berlin. He'll be a big threat this year, jsut ask Gillick!

Rineanna

04072511 wrote: »

Actually where would you advise to be the best place to book my tickets for?

http://www.bcn2010.org/paginasFront/Noticies/Detall_Noticies_/_IZ5g6X2evdGM6e5B-6J7zAVvQfJ9bvsPYfg51h1l3F1EdvEho9Q2TqaPs6KcmmiPobdV33rdRsY

I want to sit in Zone 3, but Zone 3 is enormous so where abouts within this section would you recommend? I was thinking over behind the start line for the 100m and Hurdles events would be pretty cool. Maybe up towards the back of the first tier to get a nice view. Would also be a good spot to catch the 200m and 400m runners coming around the final bend.

Sorry for delay. Well in the stadium in Berlin last year, I mostly sat up in the rafters in the middle of the home straight, except for a couple of days where I sat in the same location on the back straight. Both had their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the events taking place. But had a pretty good view of everything from where I was. Binoculars helped though to see some things!

I wouldn't chance not buying your tickets, particularly for the evening sessions towards the end of the week.

anfearruaaris

I wonder if Radio Teilifis Eireann might show 23mins of the whole championships the following Tuesday evening at 5.00pm .... or will be be treated to the usual 'highlights' spot at 11.00pm!!

It'll be Eurosport and BBC all the way for me.

Pisco Sour

anfearruaaris wrote: »

I wonder if Radio Teilifis Eireann might show 23mins of the whole championships the following Tuesday evening at 5.00pm .... or will be be treated to the usual 'highlights' spot at 11.00pm!!

It'll be Eurosport and BBC all the way for me.

RTE will have the Europeans.

They have invested in all the European events rather than the World ones, as they have no faith in our ability to excel on the world stage. How wrong they were proved in Berlin.

ecoli

04072511 wrote: »

RTE will have the Europeans.

They have invested in all the European events rather than the World ones, as they have no faith in our ability to excel on the world stage. How wrong they were proved in Berlin.

Its not about the investment as they had already paid for the Worlds as part of a package and just didnt bother sending anyone to do the coverage as far as i remember

Pisco Sour

ecoli wrote: »

Its not about the investment as they had already paid for the Worlds as part of a package and just didnt bother sending anyone to do the coverage as far as i remember

Yeh that further proves my point. They were unwilling to spend a few extra measily €€€€€'s to send over commentators etc, because they had no faith in our athletes. I remember Jerry Kiernan before the championships on RTE's highlights show of the National Championships. He didnt give out athletes much of a chance really.

ecoli

04072511 wrote: »

Yeh that further proves my point. They were unwilling to spend a few extra measily €€€€€'s to send over commentators etc, because they had no faith in our athletes. I remember Jerry Kiernan before the championships on RTE's highlights show of the National Championships. He didnt give out athletes much of a chance really.

But if they wouldnt spend the money on sending over commentators when the coverage is already paid for it could be viewed that the Europeans may not be on the agenda either. However i feel you may be right with the fact that they were caught out from Berlin.