Athletics 2022

Tombo2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119594867#Comment_119594867

I would agree with this.

I would add that its condescending - its pretty well documented how extensive doping is, there have been long discussions in the past on boards on Irish athletes that have doped, never mind any international athlete that isnt Russian. We are hardly coming at this from a position of ignorance.

But obviously at this point on boards a comment is only challenged when its 'reported'.

Strazdas

I wouldn't be so sure that Ciara is not a medal contender for the Worlds next year. Her form in the Commonwealth, Euros and two Diamond League races this year would very much put her in contention for a top 5-6 finish and maybe even get on the podium.

BeepBeep67

Splits from last night

Itziger

Very interesting data there. I'm surprised to see she was only 0.3 behind with 200 to go. Must watch the race again. Someone on here was saying 'Maybe she should have tracked FK closer' but that suggests she did.

I do think people are getting a tiny bit carried away as well, even if it's understandable. CM would need an unbelievable run, and Kipyegon would need a bad night for the positions to be reversed. We're talking a double Olympic champion at the distance.

BeepBeep67

Closing in 58.7 for Ciara showed real strength, it would be interesting to see how she would go over 3000m indoors where she might be able to grind the kick out of some of the sit and kickers.

RacoonQueen

Folks, a reminder that if there are posts in a thread you have a problem with please do report them. Just because you have reported a post in the past that wasn't actioned does not mean you do not report the posts again in the future. The mods review all reports, we may not agree with your viewpoint in one report but that doesn't mean we will not the next time or we will not if a number of reports come in.

We may be posting in a thread without reading all posts. Don't expect that because mods or admin are posting in a thread they have read all the recent posts in the same thread, particularly in megathreads. We are busy and have our own lives too :) Indeed, we may have even read all the posts and not picked up the same veiled messages in it which others may - report them so we can attempt to read them through other people's eyes.

You all know the rules, we do not want to shut down discussions or be biased towards particular athletes by shutting down any discussion on them, there is a very, very thin line between allowing discussion on the performance of athletes and outright accusations and we are never going to get it right for everyone.

Tombo2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119596844#Comment_119596844

Its me who said that.

I suppose its always hard to say watching the race how much any athlete has left in the tank.

Watching the Euro 800m final, I thought Mark English got trapped in behind the Spanish runner and that maybe it stopped him pushing for a higher medal...but then in the interview afterwards he said he was hanging on for dear life.

In the race on Thursday, Ciara overtook Hailu in the final strait which is good going in its own right.

Dubh Geannain

A couple of weeks old but worth a post.

https://youtu.be/Nxqi5JmAi20

dna_leri

Great interview with Ciara on Citius Mag podcast with Kyle Merber:

https://youtu.be/kzoqUlTE3rI

Also on spotify

yerwanthere123

Suppose a World Record is worthy of a mention?!

https://mobile.twitter.com/Cathal_Dennehy/status/1573967279448006663

Tigist Assefa runs the 3rd fastest women's marathon of all time

https://twitter.com/Statman_Jon/status/1573977246976598023

Assefa ran 2:34 on her debut in Riyadh back in March. Started her career as a 400m runner and has never ran a track 5k or 10k. This is quite the leap, so I do hope it's all above board.

Go Japan, don't think they will be winning many but an impressive performance from their guys.

BeepBeep67

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/63112107

Ciara Mageean: NI athlete says doping questions after breaking Irish record were 'crushing

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119701478#Comment_119701478

While the question might have been crushing she should hardly be suprised given the history of athletics. She does make the point that athletes are held to account and imo are tested far more that most other sports save for cycling, it shouldn't be a suprise that some people will ask questions.

And I'd also be of the opinion that these questions should be ask, most journalists are afraid to even mention doping across all sports.

yerwanthere123

Yep, as disappointing as the questions raised may have been for Ciara, it unfortunately comes with the terriorty. If a Kenyan of a similar age took that much time off their PB then I'd certainly have raised an eyebrow.

marathon2022

The questions should be asked but don't be a coward hiding behind an anonymous account on some website. Show yourself and your credentials. Otherwise back under your bridge and leave it to the sporting body to carry our due diligence.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119703191#Comment_119703191

Just wondering if this a general comment or directed at someone specific?

deisedude

Cathal Dennehy had a very good article a few weeks back about how athletics and cycling get a bad rap for drugs which is fair but at least they are trying to clean up the sport whereas other sports like soccer don't seem to even bother. The most popular sport in the world with the most money on offer and you never hear of drug cheats. Funny that

yerwanthere123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119705586#Comment_119705586

Exact same with tennis. Every once in a while they'll find someone down in the 400's to make it seem like they're making an effort, but otherwise, shove it all under the carpet.

Itziger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119704408#Comment_119704408

Well, as I was the person who got this ball rolling - on an anonymous Message Board - I presume it's directed at me. But as it's so ridiculous, it doesn't bother me in the least. There is a fear here of mentioning doping which I find stunning. My point was, if this was an athlete from almost anywhere else in the world, a lot of 'us'/Irish would be asking questions. But as CM is Irish we don't.

I'm not a coward and I'm not hiding behind an anonymous account. I'm curious and if I had access to CM as a journalist say, I'd ask "How do you explain this huge improvement at this age in an event you've been running for about 10 years?" Personally, I think that's a valid and necessary question.

Pherekydes

If only there were other data points to consider than her PB in Doha and her PB in Brussels. Wait, there is! She set an 800m PB in 2020, and a 3000m PB this year. So we should really have expected PBs in 2020 and 2021, but they didn't happen for various reasons (niggles, illness and the not inconsiderable loss of her mentor, Jerry Kiernan). So she packed 3 years' improvement into this year. It was coming.

MichiganIrish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119711154#Comment_119711154

Exactly! She also ran a great 1000m of 2.31 in 2020 along with the 1.59 800m. That kind of form suggested that she could have run 3.58 or so back then in the right 1500m race. Further improvement at 800m (1.59.0 in a mixed race) this year and at 3000m and you would have expected 3.57 or so in a well-paced race.

Snodge

OLYMPIANS, MUNICH MEDALLIST, AND DEFENDING CHAMPIONS TO DESCEND UPON DONEGALAthletics Ireland

Some great races in store!

ReeReeG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119883377#Comment_119883377

Any chance of this being livestreamed do you reckon? Bit far for a Sunday drive :)

token56

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119884857#Comment_119884857

Apparently it will be here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQkmg_q7gMU&ab_channel=AthleticsIrelandTV

TeaTotal

Great races. Griggs and Casey in Junior race was brilliant.

looks like we have some strong teams for euros

Itziger

Some fantastic races there. Sorry to say, but the Mens Senior spoiled a little by the amount of lapped runners. Jaysus, they were weaving in and around dozens of lads. I'm a believer in elites Vs elites and the rest of us...... in a different race.

TeaTotal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119898396#Comment_119898396

I think the laps were just too short. 2k per lap instead of 1500m would have been better. Felt sorry for the leaders over the last few laps having to run through so many people

Itziger

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/63674874

A nice little story here on CM.

Tombo2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119898916#Comment_119898916

I remember one year at the Great Ireland Run, the 'elite women' went out ahead of the 'elite men' - now there were some very average runners in the 'elite women' section.....anyway, Kenenisa Bekele is appearing, arguably greatest mid distance runner ever & tearing up the field. In the final 200m he is just running past and through dozens and dozens of women plodding along. Was a strange spectacle.

Tombo2001

Line up for this years Euro Cross Country looks very strong to me, especially at underage - Efrem Gidey, Darragh McElhinney, Sarah Healy @U23 and Griggs & Casey in U20.....

Notable also no Fionnualla McCormack - she's been on the team for almost 20 years anow.

TeaTotal

Very strong team. Thought it was surprising to leave out Michael Power on the under 23 team who was a high scorer last year? Abdul Laadjel out of the under 20 team after finishing 6th last year is mind blowing.

Tombo2001

Could be just injured. Gidey won a medal and then didnt run the next two years I think. Goes to show the strength in depth though.

TeaTotal

Yep great to see strength in teams. Michael ran at NCAA and Abdel posted that he was disappointed not to be selected after setting Irish under 20 10000 metre record and 6th last year. By not coming home for the race, you’re leaving it up to the selectors.

kirk.

Rumours of kenya being banned from athletics

Can't see it happening but crazy amount of doping going on

phelimcas

Agree that it's a strong team generally across the board.

The U20 and U23 Mens team look like being serious medal contenders as does Sarah Healy in the U23 Womens. Other teams have outside chances if all goes well.

Anyone know if Fionuala McCormack is injured. If fit she's really valuable to the team.

Pherekydes

Brian Fay ran 13:16.77 today in Boston. Barry Keane ran 13:21.57 in the same race. Both are faster than the NR Keane set at this meet a year ago. Augurs well for the Euro XC.

yerwanthere123

Gidey making her marathon debut in Valencia this morning, will be shown on Eurosport from 7am. Will definitely be one to watch, the world record will probably go down.

E.coli

Sinead Diver taking down the Aus National record this morning also puts her as fastest Irish Woman of all time

YFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119955147#Comment_119955147

Her mother in law messaged me earlier. Time 2:21:34. Beat the Australian record by 62 seconds.

Amazingly Brett Robinson broke the Australian men's record in Japan today with 2:07:31.

yerwanthere123

Heartbreaker for Griggs today, was on course to win the U20 cross country when a stumble cost him

https://twitter.com/Cathal_Dennehy/status/1601868993807237120?t=aQ_7AAduZe-NDJ2GsOEPDQ&s=19

Sarah Healy was in third place when she pulled out with an injury

https://twitter.com/Cathal_Dennehy/status/1601926027944415237?t=G-hS4LQn1SuXFTTKNdYlcw&s=19

Paddy1234

Very poor form by the RTÉ panel. They really went for Sarah - talking about her mindset without knowing anything about why she pulled out. The commentating was terrible too. They hadn’t a clue. She was obviously gone but they hadn’t a breeze. And then he thought he saw her in 6th after she had pulled out.

phelimcas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119985786#Comment_119985786

Agree with comment here. Assumption that it was a sign of mindset weakness on her part when not having the facts was really bad. She's still young enough and talented enough to have long-term success as an athlete.

Overall though really strong performance by the teams generally. The senior women without Fionuala McCormack and Ciara Mageean really did a great job. Pity Stephanie Cotter had been laid low with injury last season as her NCAA Div 2 win came too late for her to be included in the team. She's a really promising athlete.

While on paper the mixed relay team looked strong the nature of the course (technical and tough) was too alien for track runners imo.

TeaTotal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119985786#Comment_119985786

Rob is usually very good to be fair. The two commentators are awful. Dave Matthews and especially Greg Allen, he is really poor. Greg constantly makes mistakes about athletes counties and clubs etc. He clearly doesn't follow athletics or know the athletes. I turned them off and followed on the euro athletics channel.

In terms of the athletics, junior men were fantastic. Nick looked to buckle with fatigue in last few metres. The top 3 from last year dropped out of the race so it was a great run from him and Casey. McGinley who came 6th in trials finished 12th as well.

Under 23 men have great depth considering Darragh dropped back after going with the early pace. Senior women produced great result without Ciara and Finn.

Overall very good day for Ireland.

TeaTotal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119989963#Comment_119989963

I think they need to have a 1500metre/mile trial at the national cross country. its the only way to do it. England have a trial for the mixed relay. Nadia had shown form in coming 3rd on that same course few weeks previous but I dont think any of the other 3 had raced since summer (I could be wrong). They didn't show any cross country form anyway. I know andrew ran the senior race in trials last year. They should at least ask athletes to run the senior race to see some form beforehand. They were way off the pace from the gun

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119989963#Comment_119989963

I'd agree that the senior women's team did fantastic and above expectations really. Absolutely delighted for them the joy in the face's when they found out they medaled was great to watch.

But I wouldn't agree with your comments about the mixed relay team and the course no suiting them. If you look at the vast majority of the athletes taking part in the relay they are all track athletes. That's not to say that some individuals don't run well in cross country race but that's different that saying that it just didn't suit our team. Also you could argue that Jacob is a track athlete and he seemed to do alright on the same course. One of the issues could be that they don't run enough cross country.

The mens senior team were also disappointing

TeaTotal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119991629#Comment_119991629

Barry Keane and Fay ran a 5k indoors the week previous. You would wonder how wise that is after a long ncaa season. Fay obviously set Irish indoor record but during XC season you would imagine cross country would take preference.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119992520#Comment_119992520

Sometimes I often feel as a really negative hurler on the ditch. But there's times when you have to say what's on your mind.

It's all well and good setting a record and I don't want to take from both their achievements in dipping under the previous record. But the reality is, it doesn't mean much if you can't produce a performance in a championship race. There is a lot of runners that can run a fast time but the good ones produce it when it matters. Let's hope they can both reduce that performance in Istanbul.

As I said in a previous post. Not everyone is suited to xc, but Fay proved it last year in the euro Cross.

Pherekydes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119993619#Comment_119993619

I'd imagine their first priority would be the NCAAs the week after Istanbul, so they're unlikely to appear for the Euros.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119993755#Comment_119993755

That would make sense. I didn't realise that they were so close. Pity

ReeReeG

Not sure where this deserves to be posted but Sean Tobin made his marathon debut... In Antarctica!!

Course record of 2.53 😅

Seems to be organised by Richard Donovan who I believe sponsors some of the DTC runners...