Leevale sprinters have created history. For the first time ever three Leevale sprinters have been selected to compete in the same major championships. Athens Olympian derval O’Rourke set a new Irish record for 60m hurdles to win the bronze medal at the British AAA championships. The same meet also saw Ailis McSweeney set a new Irish record for 60m, good enough for another bronze medal.
Jer O’Donoghue came desperately close to the qualifying standard in the 60m. His 6.76 was just one hundredth outside the standard set by AAI. However, the Irish selectors considered his form over the season good enough and have also selected him to join Derval and Ailis at the European indoor championships in Madrid.
Seasoned middle distance runner Mark Carroll will join them after qualifying for the 3,000m.. Winner of the 3,000m gold in Ghent in 2000, as well as an outdoor European bronze over 5,000m, Mark will be strongly fancied to add to his medal collection in Madrid. (And European junior gold in 1991).
Congratulations to all four and best of luck in Madrid.