World Indoor Athletics

Ben Reynolds (North Down AC) will receive his first Irish cap after hitting the standard of 7.74 to break his U23 Irish Indoor 60m Hurdles Record at the International Flanders Athletics Meeting in Belgium earlier in the month.

Ciaran O’ Lionaird who placed 10th at World Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Daegu last August will line up in the Men’s 1500m. O’Lionaird is in confident mood having recorded a personal best of 3:54.76 in the mile at the USA Track and Field Classic, the eighth fastest in the world this year.  Speaking about the championship he said: “It’s a great honour to represent Ireland at a global event again. I think the competition will be really tough but my preparation has gone very well but I need to be tactically aware in order to make sure I progress to the final. I am hoping to improve on my placing from Daegu and gain more experience for London.”

Derval O’Rourke is also part of a small but quality team for the World Track and Field Championships which take places in Istanbul from the 9th to the 11th of March.

Her seasons best of 8.16 places her well down the World rankings, however, she is a renowned championship athlete who views this competition as a key stepping stone towards her ultimate target this year the London Olympic Games.

Kevin Ankrom Athletics Ireland High Performance Director said “For the likes of Derval, Ciaran, and Ben this is the beginning of a long season and just one piece of the overall building process towards London. At any championship we are looking for our athletes to compete at a high level and it will be a litmus test of their programme and a great opportunity to compete against other world class competitors.”

Team Selection

Derval O’Rourke (Leevale AC)                            60m Hurdles

Ben Reynolds (North Down AC)                         60m Hurdles

Ciaran O’ Lionaird (Leevale AC)                          1500m

Team Management

Team Manager Patsy McGonagle

Team Leader Kevin Ankrom

Team Coach Sean Cahill

Team Medical Kyle Alexander (Soft tissue therapist)

Timetable

Istanbul Time     Irish Time

Friday 9th March

12:55                10:55                            M         1500 Metres                  Heats

17:00                15:00                            W         60 Metres Hurdles         Heats

Saturday 10th March

09:40                07:40                            M         60 Metres Hurdles         Heats

17:10                15:10                            W         60 Metres Hurdles         Semi-Final

19:00                17:00                            M         1500 Metres                  Final

19:45                17:45                            W         60 Metres Hurdles         Final

Sunday 11th March

14:45                12:45                            M         60 Metres Hurdles         Semi-Final

17:20                15:20                            M         60 Metres Hurdles         Final

Television Coverage

Channel 4 and British Eurosport