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data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/your-money" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Money</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_your-money" aria-label="Show Your Money sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_your-money"><li class="subsection-item" 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data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/property" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Property</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_property" aria-label="Show Property sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_property"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/residential" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Residential</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/commercial-property" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Commercial Property</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/interiors" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Interiors</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/food" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Food</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_food" aria-label="Show Food sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_food"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/food/drink" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Drink</a></li><li class="subsection-item" 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viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_health"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-family" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Family</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-fitness" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Fitness</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-wellness" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Wellness</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-fitness/get-running" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Get Running</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Life & Style</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_life-style" aria-label="Show Life & Style sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_life-style"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/fashion" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Fashion</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/tags/beauty/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Beauty</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/fine-art-antiques" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Fine Art & Antiques</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/gardening" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Gardening</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/people" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">People</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/travel" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Travel</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/culture" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Culture</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_culture" aria-label="Show Culture sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_culture"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/art" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Art</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/books" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Books</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/film" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Film</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/music" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Music</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/stage" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Stage</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/tv-radio" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">TV & Radio</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/environment" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Environment</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_environment" aria-label="Show Environment sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_environment"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/environment/climate-crisis" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Climate Crisis</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/technology" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Technology</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_technology" aria-label="Show Technology sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_technology"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/big-tech" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Big Tech</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/consumer-tech" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Consumer Tech</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/data-security" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Data & Security</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/gaming" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Gaming</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/science" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Science</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_science" aria-label="Show Science sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_science"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/science/space" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Space</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/media" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Media</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/abroad" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Abroad</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/obituaries" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Obituaries</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/transport" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Transport</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/motors" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Motors</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_motors" aria-label="Show Motors sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_motors"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/motors/car-reviews/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Car Reviews</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/listen/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Listen</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack 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It wasn’t even sadness, it was just emptiness’</a></h3></div><hr class="c-divider"/><div class="b-results-list b-results-list--show-image"><figure class="c-media-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/09/no-sporting-comeback-is-entirely-risk-free-but-always-worth-the-gamble/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="No sporting comeback is entirely risk-free, but always worth the gamble" class="c-image" loading="eager" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/LAA5PTZEMBANIN3HTF7HG55JPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba4de126c28c7117d99358e8d2e6179738bfec018c9a82eb618247a3fd9279bc&width=500&height=333" srcSet="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/LAA5PTZEMBANIN3HTF7HG55JPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba4de126c28c7117d99358e8d2e6179738bfec018c9a82eb618247a3fd9279bc&width=250&height=166 250w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/LAA5PTZEMBANIN3HTF7HG55JPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba4de126c28c7117d99358e8d2e6179738bfec018c9a82eb618247a3fd9279bc&width=500&height=333 500w" sizes="(min-width: 48rem) 500px, 250px" width="500" height="333"/></a></figure><h3 class="c-heading"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/09/no-sporting-comeback-is-entirely-risk-free-but-always-worth-the-gamble/">No sporting comeback is entirely risk-free, but always worth the gamble</a></h3></div><hr class="c-divider"/><div class="b-results-list b-results-list--show-image"><figure class="c-media-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/athletics/2024/11/08/sonia-osullivan-a-jog-down-olympic-memory-lane-shows-how-far-irish-athletes-have-come/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="Sonia O’Sullivan: A jog down Olympic memory lane shows how far Irish athletes have come" class="c-image" loading="eager" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/R3ECKV46R5D4MIUCNBSVVT6XXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d463a71b4821257aa82070448846ce498dfae65e5b92ef5fd97100cc34efab5f&width=500&height=333" 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alt="Olympic Federation of Ireland confirms two candidates running to be new president" class="c-image" loading="eager" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/2S7RAEAELJDAFDTOX6IC3LIPSM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e3549d5d8d8c2505da4a347b8b65c1826543128fc2bf834a4c915ebae528c43&width=500&height=333" srcSet="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/2S7RAEAELJDAFDTOX6IC3LIPSM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e3549d5d8d8c2505da4a347b8b65c1826543128fc2bf834a4c915ebae528c43&width=250&height=166 250w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/2S7RAEAELJDAFDTOX6IC3LIPSM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9e3549d5d8d8c2505da4a347b8b65c1826543128fc2bf834a4c915ebae528c43&width=500&height=333 500w" sizes="(min-width: 48rem) 500px, 250px" width="500" height="333"/></a></figure><h3 class="c-heading"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/2024/11/06/olympic-federation-of-ireland-confirms-two-candidates-running-to-be-new-president/">Olympic Federation of Ireland confirms two candidates running to be new president</a></h3></div><hr 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ranking list, with Doyle currently within a ranking place, the other two sitting just outside it. Conor Kelly is selected for the mixed relay, and may also make the ranking quota for the individual 400m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NGR4NZFMPRDF5DTCJNKFZTMCFQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Both Andrew Coscoran and Sarah Healy have opted to run the 3,000m, both improving the national records in recent weeks, Healy’s run from New York earlier this month ranking her second best in Europe.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WR4TWAY7O5GHBASIVQSDUFTEFE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Sharlene Mawdsley is selected for both relays, plus the individual 400m, and Sarah Lavin will also be eying up a place in the 60m hurdles final, having finished sixth in the last European indoor final in Istanbul.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F3VPTCYNHVE6VKD3MEVG6IKTRE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Kate O’Connor is also a contender for a medal in the pentathlon, having broken the national record with a score of 4,683 in Estonia earlier this month, leaving her ranked second best in Europe this season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N2JXXF2F6NAK5F5TN5Q55QQN7M","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Irish team: </b>Sarah Lavin (60m hurdles, Emerald AC), Sharlene Mawdsley (400m, 4x400m relay, 4x400m mixed relay), Phil Healy (4x400m relay, 4x400m mixed relay, Bandon AC), Rachel McCann (4x400m relay, 4x400m mixed relay, North Down AC), Cliodhna Manning (4x400m relay, Kilkenny City Harriers), Lauren Cadden (4x400m relay, Sligo AC), Arlene Crossan (4x400m relay, Finn Valley AC), Sarah Healy (3000m, UCD AC), Kate O’Connor (Heptathlon, Dundalk St Gerard’s AC), Mark English (800m, Finn Valley AC), Cian McPhillips (800m, UCD AC), Andrew Coscoran (3000m, Star of the Sea AC), James Gormley (3000m, Carmen Runners AC), Conor Kelly (4x400m mixed relay, Derry Track Club), David Bosch (4x400m mixed relay, UCD AC), Marcus Lawler (4x400m mixed relay, Clonliffe Harriers).","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q6STXQXMURGBZIOQO2SDNWLWX4","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Provisional selection: </b>Jodie McCann (3000m, Dublin City Harriers), Bori Akinola (60m, UCD AC), Cathal Doyle (1500m, Clonliffe Harriers).","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Championships to be held in Apeldoorn from March 6th-9th"},"display_date":"2025-02-24T22:05:22.495Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ireland team named for next month’s European Indoor Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"Q4TZSXIBHI3C6WXNUMG2P4XJVQ","auth":{"1":"51a3023345468eeaa3485a13c900bcf40825575eb2420f27771849babc394279"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/Q4TZSXIBHI3C6WXNUMG2P4XJVQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2025/02/24/ireland-team-named-for-next-months-european-indoor-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"HP6HBIBW6NG6TEDFREG5UFGJ7Y","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":289,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/85c02a4e-d627-4140-8028-9ae3a8fd7ada/versions/1740340449/media/ea0e76d4308b97741d38e03066881644_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/23/bori-akinola-runs-down-irelands-fastest-man-israel-olatunde-to-win-first-national-title/","content_elements":[{"_id":"7FOB2LOHXNBLFB2BZDE3DEZCGA","additional_properties":{},"content":"All athletes will say you’re only as good as your last race, only Bori Akinola won’t easily forget the first time he beat <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-olatunde\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-olatunde\">Israel Olatunde</a>. Not soon anyway – their 60 metres showdown at the National Indoor Championships on Sunday also teasing out the latest bragging rights among Ireland’s fastest men.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R55OQDA64VHXZNKXWEBB24UJXQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"In 21 previous races, Olatunde had beaten Akinola in them all, and came to the sold out Sport Ireland Arena at Abbotstown chasing an eighth national title, and a fourth successive indoors. Instead it was Akinola who dominated, winning his first title and delighting himself and many of those around him in the process. Olatunde, Ireland’s fastest man indoors and outdoors, had to settle for bronze.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z4D7MEPXBZEE3LIYMMPQK6EOLQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"After crossing the line, Akinola promptly sprinted back down the track, then over to the spectator stand, embracing his mother Kemi, who was witnessing her son racing in person for the first time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R7ILEVM7UNCNXPB5F3GSBNFI2Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"If the shortest race of the weekend packed in the most intrigue, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-healy\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-healy\">Sarah Healy</a> produced the most impressive winning margin by some distance, breaking the championship record in the 1,500m for the second time in 24 hours, winning in 4:08.74. It was a breathtaking run, even if Healy was running well within herself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z44IZGRNOVCE3A2MCJPBECL7VY","additional_properties":{},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley\">Sharlene Mawdsley</a> also made sure of another title in the 400m, racing clear at the 200m break to win in 51.91 seconds, with Phil Healy second in 53.25. Both athletes are rounding into form ahead of next month’s European Indoor Championships in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn. Conor Kelly from Derry Track Club, still only 17, again improved his national under-20 record when running 46.54 to win the men’s title.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XI6EFZ2EEJAXVNADAI7YFZUW5U","additional_properties":{},"content":"For 23-year-old Akinola, who is nine months older that Olatunde, it was all about the victory, the UCD AC athlete admitting beforehand that so much of his motivation over the winter months was ending his losing streak. With Max O’Reilly of Riverstick/Kinsale AC blasting out of the blocks first, Akinola judged his effort perfectly, coming through to win in 6.61 seconds, improving his previous best of 6.64. O’Reilly held on for silver in 6.69, with Olatunde from Tallaght AC third in 6.72.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M74SXMB37RGOHHCS6BTEKTCV4U","additional_properties":{},"content":"“In my head was just ‘execute’, don’t think about anyone else, or anything else,” said Akinola. “Just go through the motions, get my start right. But it was a great race, I was patient with my entire race, didn’t panic, but went through the phases, and it’s all good, delighted.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7ADBY55545FFQ33IL7DCAYO77U","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LHDGG6XINZGPHPG2TAAGXSZX4M","additional_properties":{},"content":"Although Olatunde appeared short of the form that saw him win here two years ago in 6.57 seconds, he has been training hard over the winter in Florida alongside Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DRCSHT2HGRE2BBMMCHK3BI7QFI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mawdsley has also moved on since the Paris Olympics, now working with UK sprints coach Tony Lester, and after enduring a considerable battle to get through the autograph hunters when coming off the track, she declared herself delighted with her effort.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U3X6T74MTJFN3LQLDF2LPC6CWQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"“The support I had today, when they said my name, was just amazing,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that I attacked that first 200m today, because yesterday, in the semi-final, I didn’t do that. I also think that’s why my 200m is so much better this year, because there’s always so much traffic at the break, and I don’t like traffic. But the 400m never gets easier, no matter how fast or slow you run it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"L4Q3AZLLFFDFZJV7IZSQ6HX67A","additional_properties":{},"content":"Healy has now broken a record of some sort every time she’s raced this season, twice improving her own indoor 3,000m mark, plus the 1,500m mark, before twice improving the championship record here. Her 4:08.74 was effectively run solo from gun to tape, with Lucy Holmes from West Waterford winning the battle for second in 4:23.10.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PXNSTUGWGVFX7P3KOHNB3CADCM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It felt really good, really strong, sometimes it’s nice to have the track all to yourself,” Healy said. “I wasn’t exactly sure of my splits, I wasn’t too bothered about the time when you’re running on your own. But I don’t get to race at home too often, so that’s nice.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"KP6DJJVE6VH3HPVDANFAFWM4YU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Sarah Leahy had to battle hard to win back her 60m title, the Killarney sprinter just getting the better of Limerick’s Ciara Neville, 7.39 seconds to 7.41.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GDQ6M76CYVGI5BX4R7YCBX24OU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Cathal Doyle won a purely tactical men’s 1,500m in 3:58.10, the Clonliffe runner also rounding into form for Apeldoorn, while in the field events, Colm Bourke from Raheny won the long jump after years of trying, with Meabh Corkery from Midleton AC winning the pole vault in 3.40m.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sarah Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley also shine on day two of the National Indoor Championships at Abbotstown"},"display_date":"2025-02-23T18:45:30.958Z","headlines":{"basic":"Bori Akinola runs down Ireland’s fastest man Israel Olatunde to win first national title","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"2C3WQC766UHLDM5CTCNYMHD7XQ","auth":{"1":"796b4d5ec8cecf757699f710ee08850812c21652a230857528b692d9d18a6bd5"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/2C3WQC766UHLDM5CTCNYMHD7XQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/23/bori-akinola-runs-down-irelands-fastest-man-israel-olatunde-to-win-first-national-title/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"MLDSDOD22BHTFAJJH57YGFWEDQ","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":221,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/a1c73659-9a39-41da-b709-55d2313ed952/versions/1740251364/media/e52e2da4a05d9e6805fbe4c1bd1c2f45_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2025/02/22/sarah-healy-and-marcus-lawler-set-new-championship-marks-at-irish-indoors/","content_elements":[{"_id":"QQTS7CUDCVENVJSSJD6HTJLSSA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Championship records by <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-healy\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-healy\">Sarah Healy </a>and Marcus Lawler were among the standout performances on the first day of the Irish Indoor Athletics Championships, with the promise of more to come at the sold-out Sport Ireland Arena on Sunday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"26X73QLM6ZD3HOHKRD7V5AR3MM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Healy was running the 1,500 metres heats seven days after improving her own national senior record to 4:01.62, and she simply cruised through to Sunday’s final, her winning time of 4:12.37 improving the championship record of 4:13.96, set by Fionnuala McCormack back in 2013.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q7FUPEZNHBEVFM6JEXQ5DUBMBI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Just turned 24, Healy has indicated her preference to race the 3,000m at the European Indoor Championships in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn next month, and has clearly brought a new consistency to her racing which can only auger well for her medal prospects.","type":"text"},{"_id":"37OF765MT5BK7DSJFZKBY6HFQQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 200m is not a championship race at European level, still Lawler went all out to win the national title. The Carlow athlete won by over a second in 20.74, eclipsing the championship record of 20.77 set two years ago by Mark Smyth,","type":"text"},{"_id":"5BUTLJ54WJH5RCNVJRLNCLV36A","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I was the form runner coming into these championships and I had a couple of bests along the way, but it’s a long time since I picked up a national title, so I’m delighted,” he said. “I’m 30 in a couple of days’ time and that’s an indoor best in a championship record, so I’m thrilled”. Adam Murphy was second in 21.75, with Luke Timlin third in 21.76. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"46GUFY4ZSJHIZAKT64TA6HEDI4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Katie Bergin won her first national senior indoor title with a season’s best performance to win the women’s 200m title 24.03.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K3EUUSAAQZFCBOLJMHCH4V3ATQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-lavin\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-lavin\">Sarah Lavin</a> was back in Abbotstown chasing a seventh national indoor title in the 60m hurdles, and duly won in 8.11, ahead of the St Laurence O’Toole duo of Molly Scott (8.34) and Arabella Adekoya (8.71). Lavin clipped her opening hurdle, but remains in form to make the European Indoor final. The men’s 60m hurdles went Adam Nolan, defending his title in 7.95 seconds, ahead of the fast-finishing Seán Carmody (8.33).","type":"text"},{"_id":"YHDDT2AOXHHKPYV2MRTSKB2IRM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"7WCAJ4ATIZAHVJN2CTEQX5B37U","additional_properties":{},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley\">Sharlene Mawdsley</a> (Newport AC, 52.86), Cliodhna Manning (Kilkenny City Harriers AC, 54.02), Lauren Cadden (Sligo AC, 54.05), Rachel McCann (North Down AC, 53.63) and Phil Healy (Bandon AC, 53.98) all progressed to Sunday’s women’s 400m final. Conor Kelly of Derry Track Club set a new national under-20 record of 46.63 when qualifying for the men’s final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LFL62RROYBDJVNJPFR5GU7AKNQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the weight-for-distance Michael Healy from Leevale won with a best throw of 8.78m, with Kotryna Pacerinskaite of Fanahan McSweeney AC also retaining her title, bettering her own championships record with a throw of 8.30m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"52B7ASZDP5H4RD46O2U33ALXNA","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the other field event finals, Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley) and Tara O’Connor (Dundalk St Gerards) both cleared 1.81m in the women’s high jump. Lecky ultimately winning gold on countback, with Ciarán Connolly (Le Chéile AC) returning from over two years of injury to take the senior men’s title with a clearance of 2.0m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6V3K2IMHYJAEDH3EFAJRE7JZ7U","additional_properties":{},"content":"Sarah Buggy won a remarkable 23rd national senior title in the triple jump, taking the gold with a best of 12.85m, with David Onwudiwe (Ennis Track AC) producing an impressive first round jump of 14.29 in the win the men’s triple.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IXNCFCSUAJBBPPZSGMSSUZJXYE","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sarah Lavin claimed a seventh Irish indoor title in the 60m hurdles on day one of action in Abbotstown"},"display_date":"2025-02-22T19:04:19.103Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sarah Healy and Marcus Lawler set new championship marks at Irish Indoors","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"OZAEEKMPWKFNLNPZJVSOKIH5HA","auth":{"1":"3841ff6609ed77cc9170a37059a0f74a39b2551d87601093ffc6242c5e60641b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OZAEEKMPWKFNLNPZJVSOKIH5HA.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2025/02/22/sarah-healy-and-marcus-lawler-set-new-championship-marks-at-irish-indoors/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"IXRNEKUJWBGGHKG34RTJX4BQFY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":394,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/6cd97132-3918-4620-9a5d-699d8d5c79e7/versions/1740161847/media/dd34ac8d5c6c49580b849589a3e72a54_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/22/from-the-cowshed-to-abbotstown-the-odyssey-of-the-irish-indoor-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"ABHC6HYMFZH5LJYWYCXCZZNIZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766721},"content":"Once upon a time just getting to the Irish Indoor Athletics Championships took a toll.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TWSQ6SJKMBBS7GWY575HPQL6EY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880230},"content":"Part road trip, part expedition, and all about the adventure. Because unless you lived in the immediate surroundings of rural North Tipperary, this usually meant a trek of some inordinate length to the Nenagh Indoor Complex, the then only indoor venue on the entire island, and affectionately known by some as “The Cowshed”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MYYM2B4TOZHIXOXMGPRINC7AOA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766722},"content":"The simple grey concrete walls and corrugated iron roof finished in rusted burgundy helped give it that appearance, even if that look is trending these days. It was in many ways a unique structure, both ahead of and behind its time, and somehow engineered to feel consistently colder on the inside than it ever was outside.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7NVF5WX3CRAHJOM4HBG2XQXPZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766723},"content":"First developed in 1984, it was originally intended to serve the needs of Nenagh Olympic Athletic Club, who a year after its founding in 1955, had turned the North Tipperary Agricultural Show Hall into an indoor training facility.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z7J4YXX7MBAWNF63JESYCCHK4Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880233},"content":"Yet it soon became a sort of national indoor arena – by accident, not design – and staged the first Irish Indoor Athletics Championships in 1988, when the track surface was nothing more than hard mud.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HPFBGS66RJHEHCCCCIXRAJX75A","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766724},"content":"Two years later, a new tartan banked track helped transform the place into something resembling a proper indoor facility, club co-founder Seán Naughton leading the way. That track was hard <i>and</i> fast – having once raced there, I still have a dull ache in my shins as a lasting souvenir.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VK2HTBQGLJHADAD3SHHKYC4GKI","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880235},"content":"Naughton would have been perfectly aware of the running joke in Irish athletics at the time, that despite boasting some of the best indoor athletes in the world, the country still didn’t have a proper indoor facility.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JNL4EQQHXBDORF3TPIK3CRD2EE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880236},"content":"In 1987, he was the Irish coach at the first World Indoor Athletics Championships in Indianapolis, when we sent a team of four athletes: Eamonn Coghlan, the gold medal favourite, fell in the heats of 1,500m, only for Marcus O’Sullivan to win gold anyway, before Frank O’Mara and Paul Donovan went one-two in the 3,000m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LBYYTCN5ZFHRXO7BZG2WOHZ6TI","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766726},"content":"Indeed Irish athletes had been making their indoor presence felt going back to 1950, when John Joe Barry, better known as the Ballincurry Hare, won the US Indoor mile. Ronnie Delany won his first indoor race in 1956 and went unbeaten indoors over the mile until March 1959 – also breaking the world indoor mile record on three separate occasions.","type":"text"},{"_id":"56MTDX4ZKJDTDN7M77GW5LXCAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880238},"type":"image"},{"_id":"XSKJZTOHIJF2RAIGGC5I5546N4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766727},"content":"Later in 1987, the government made the first of its many promises to build a national indoor arena, with then taoiseach Charles Haughey, after a feasibility study costing over one million of our dear old punts, approving a site in the Dublin Docklands. That never materialised.<b> </b>In 1999, Jim McDaid, then minister for sport, also unveiled plans for an indoor arena adjacent to the athletics stadium in Santry. No stone was turned.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3WWKSUPDRRGXHKZ72F4ZDXFHG4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766728},"content":"Meanwhile, the Irish Indoor Championships became a moveable feast, staged at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on and off from 2003 to 2012, when a temporary track helped transform that place into looking the part.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GKQBXO2TZRF3TCIZZC5C3YGEJI","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880241},"content":"I made that trip only once, in 2011, claiming to know the way after seeing Bob Dylan play the Odyssey back in 2004, only to mistake a turn and end up on a completely unknown route in via Banbridge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XGYVG7DZMJGDTNZXVZGXOJAVIA","subtype":"youtube","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"AOBO62YT2RADNBPMHRNBCVZWGY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766729},"content":"Still it was worth the toll, one of the athletes to stand out that day being a 17-year-old schoolboy from Letterkenny named Mark English, who won his first Irish senior indoor title in 800m in 1:51.62. A year later, English missed out on the 2012 London Olympics by .17 of a second, running 1:45.77, and has since won four European Championship medals at the distance, two indoors and two outdoors.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YMETSPPOTVEF5IGT7JGF7MRRJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766730},"content":"In 2013, the first World Athletics-approved indoor track in this country was opened at the Athlone Institute of Technology, Eamonn Coghlan describing that as “the most historic day in Irish athletics”, before in 2017, the Government eventually delivered on its promises with the opening of the Sport Ireland Indoor Arena at Abbotstown, the now permanent venue for the Irish Indoor Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F7KDAJRRJFAYZMAG7KSO7HUNDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880245},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AJAHRGISIVDURNMFUK5G6IHHKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766731},"content":"Part of the attraction of Abbotstown is its accessibility. With a limited capacity of just 4,000, including athletes, it’s not surprising that Sunday’s session of this weekend’s championships was sold out by midweek, even if many of the top Irish athletes have chosen to stay away.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QFQWKBPTZNBCFHNHKEHQUR7LXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880247},"content":"This isn’t about any toll involved in getting there. English, for example, withdrew from the 800m due to a quad muscle injury, having lowered his Irish 800m record to 1:45.15 at the Millrose Games in New York earlier this month. All his focus, naturally, is on winning a fifth major championship medal, when the Dutch city of Apeldoorn stages the European Indoor Championships from March 6th-9th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YWNVWR5RK5BRXLYAENPALXHTEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766733},"content":"It is a pity but English, now a qualified doctor, has nothing to prove here, having already won 18 Irish 800m titles in all, nine indoors and nine outdoors.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XK3H5VODJFCGTE5QVFUSH2JX5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766734},"content":"It’s only natural too that the younger generation of athletes are excited about the prospect of racing at Abbotstown – unaware perhaps of this brief history of Irish indoor athletics – and none more enthusiastically than Bori Akinola.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KYEVYJX6ZRF75HF6Q5IFMNX75M","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880250},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PF62CCDK2NASBBPSXEUVNYRKYA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880251},"content":"At 23, Akinola is still a relative newcomer to the Irish sprinting scene, first starting in athletics in 2018, a year after moving here from Nigeria with his mother and two siblings. Since then, he’s made rapid progress up through the ranks, but has yet to win his first Irish senior title, indoors or out, or indeed ever beat Israel Olatunde.","type":"text"},{"_id":"35XPHFJ3MVDU3GNR7JPJEASQ2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880252},"content":"In Abbotstown this time last year, Akinola finished second to Olatunde, Ireland’s fastest man, running 6.76, just .05 of a second behind.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5DK5UR2NYRB65OPFKT2W447FE4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880253},"content":"At the National Championships outdoors last July, Olatunde won again in 10.27, Akinola a close second in 10.29. This season, Akinola has improved his indoor 60m best to 6.64, and will look to deny Olatunde a fourth successive indoor crown on Sunday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TCADFQELG5DMNLFGXLEJZFIGKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766737},"content":"“Israel is number one in the country, in order to be number one, you have to beat him,” says Akinola, by his own admission not low on confidence. “The rivalry has pushed me on, because I know it is something that can be done.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2G4XNGFP65G5ZL2OX5LCVSOMWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766738},"content":"It’s a still fledgling rivalry, yet more evidence of the exciting future of Irish athletics, and a long way from “The Cowshed”.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Irish athletics has come a long way since the humble beginnings of the event in rural North Tipperary"},"display_date":"2025-02-22T06:00:01Z","headlines":{"basic":"From The Cowshed to Abbotstown: the odyssey of the Irish Indoor Championships ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"Y7MFI6ZHQ5GJRH76UOHCWYFBSA","auth":{"1":"1c0c26cceb69039c10bf6409ffbd8723ba8261c0ff101b076d81c65aefcd10d5"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/Y7MFI6ZHQ5GJRH76UOHCWYFBSA.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/22/from-the-cowshed-to-abbotstown-the-odyssey-of-the-irish-indoor-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"CZOQ32F74ZDRHE6OLBJDMACFTE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":397,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/13725f34-1c5c-4b70-8a13-ecb0292bbf7e/versions/1740071602/media/fa03ac742ce56a9cbff9fafdbe7b49ae_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/21/sonia-osullivan-sold-out-irish-indoor-championships-still-missing-some-star-irish-athletes/","content_elements":[{"_id":"KVAKS6QTYZHY7IMBVXVRXEY4OA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060580},"content":"Such is the relentless pace of world indoor records being broken in recent weeks that it’s hard to keep up. Some marks have been broken twice in the same week, and who else but <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jakob-ingebrigtsen/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jakob-ingebrigtsen/\">Jakob Ingebrigtsen</a> to come out in his first appearance of the season and broke two world records in the same race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LXQI4CZWQVDEDAOAU34DJMK2MU","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060581},"content":"Starting at the Millrose Games in New York earlier this month, Grant Fisher and Yared Nuguse from the US broke the indoor 3,000m and mile records respectively, within the space of two hours. It had been more than two decades since a US distance runner had broke a world record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QIFFGRBCKNA2DKDSUOFZL37HZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060582},"content":"Five days later in Lievin, France, Ingebrigtsen broke Nuguse’s mile record, plus his own 1,500m record, and two days after that in Boston, Fisher also broke the indoor 5,000m record. Worth mentioning too is Jacob Kiplimo’s world half marathon of 56:42 set in Barcelona on Sunday morning, which makes an official sub two-hour marathon a lot more possible.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BDCJJXVCTNH7FFKFPOU3VIJ2XE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060583},"content":"Irish athletes have also been busy setting national indoor records, Sarah Healy improving her 1,500m mark last Saturday, having broken her 3,000m record twice over the previous weekends. Mark English took almost a second off his 800m mark, and Andrew Coscoran broke the men’s indoor 3,000m and then mile records.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FEGZ34ZTEBHB5CKUF74VHF7CIY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060584},"content":"The Irish indoor mile record had stood to Eamonn Coghlan for over 40 years, the period when he was known as the Chairman of the Boards. Indoor running tracks have improved significantly since then, in design and surface, and there’s no disputing that carbon-plated spikes are also improving performances. More athletes, particularly in the US, are also realising the controlled environment of “short track” indoor races are more favourable for fast times, and pushing beyond the mythical barriers and limits athletes often set themselves.","type":"text"},{"_id":"74J6XH77RRCGXLH7TSTBH6H6IA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Eamonn Coghlan, 40 years after his biggest win: ‘Something spiritual happened me that day’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"DXP5WPWBGJG7ZLINPTGROUXGK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060585},"content":"However, fast times and world records can count for little when it comes to championship running and there will be evidence of that this weekend at the various national indoor championships across the globe. The Sport Ireland Arena will again host the Irish indoor championships, and Sunday is already a sell-out, another reflection of the growing popularity of the sport","type":"text"},{"_id":"ATCSKBIKABE6DIRCDFODWKHWEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060586},"content":"The championships also act as a trial for the European Indoor Championships taking place in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands from March 6th to 9th, and the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China two weeks later. Unlike all the carefully orchestrated and paced races of recent weeks, Apeldoorn and Nanjing will be all about race tactics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RBLJXQ3Y5ZBGTCGV5Y3NCZBUKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060587},"content":"That’s something the top Irish athletes should be keen to practice this weekend, although it appears they won’t all be there, English unlikely to race the 800m due to a minor muscle strain, while Coscoran is nursing a minor illness. Athletes training and competing at this high level are often operating on a knife edge and never too far away from a potential injury or illness, but there is the opportunity to see some of our biggest stars in action.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BHJGWXZMPBEEFGX7QXTIBPXSBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060588},"content":"This weekend will also be the first track and field event in Ireland since the heroics of many athletes last summer, although some have chosen to forego the indoor season and keep working on their winter strength and conditioning before what will be an intense and long season culminating at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2QTKKBWR3NBD3CQG4SUYV7RXGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060589},"content":"We know <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> is focused on outdoors, so not available for indoor selection. For those competing now, the championships are where you really find out about where you stand, what changes, if any, need to be made.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BDINDJARMNERRARDC4MUUWGJF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060590},"content":"Some countries don’t have the dispensation loophole that is so often used by Irish athletes, right when they should be maintaining the momentum by using the Irish championships to connect with the fans. I think one way to encourage the best athletes to compete at the Irish championships would be to allow a top 10 world-ranked athlete a bye into the final. They have achieved this level of respect and in return are more likely to respect the championships if they are encouraged to compete.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UBT4DPLUGFCWZAQWIJ3N4Q4N3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060591},"content":"Another area that could be changed is to set an entry standard for athletes competing. As it stands, any athlete that is a member of a club in Ireland can just sign up for the national championships. This is not a road race, and there is just simply not space on the track for the numbers entered. The risk of falling is certainly a deterrent for the best athletes turning up, especially if having to go through rounds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IUEWJHEYHZFLFIXNTJKKNSF2OM","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060592},"content":"An event such as the 3,000m should be limited to a straight final. As it is, there are 60 men’s entries, and while it is a positive to see so many people taking part in our sport there needs to be a line drawn on the high-performance stage.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3GHNPYYQZBBUPLB3LU5XAMG7FQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060593},"content":"Some athletes also leave it to the last minute to decide which event they will race in, or if they will race at all, and this doesn’t help in the promotion of the championships. There certainly could have been a couple of mouth-watering clashes on the track had English lined up against the young Cian McPhillips, who last weekend posted a time just .15 of a second slower than English’s national record over 800m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GVGS3DINUFD7PFEW2OHKV4HQWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060594},"content":"And likewise with Olympic semi-finalist Cathal Doyle lining up against newly crowned national record holder Coscoran. Which is also why it was refreshing to hear <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley/\">Sharlene Mawdsley</a> this week talking excitedly about her new training group, and looking forward to racing in Abbotstown this weekend.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AEYIXNQEQRHHNKK5H2ARHLVJU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060595},"content":"Still fresh from her record-breaking runs, Healy will probably race the 1,500m, and should have it all her own way as Ciara Mageean is still recovering from surgery, and Sophie O’Sullivan is also focused on the outdoor season. Healy has shown she is on another level this year, and she may just sit in and practice race tactics as she looks forward to racing the 3,000m at the European and World Indoor Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CIDMVRTIANEMBL7BQIDEAIYMCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060596},"content":"Sarah Lavin in the 60m hurdles and Kate O’Connor in the heptathlon are both qualified for Apeldoorn, and know that value of competing on the national stage and inspiring the next generation of young athlete.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P4Q3UUI7WZA5FAEBIFNPXWDPJA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060597},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-olatunde/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-olatunde/\">Israel Olatunde</a> has never shied away from the national championships, and back from his training in Florida with Noah Lyles, will probably face another sprint showdown with Bori Akinola in the 60m. It’s certainly hard to predict the outcome there, which is what championship racing is all about.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}},"name":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Rhasidat Adeleke is focused on outdoors, while others will probably be absent this weekend through injury or illness"},"display_date":"2025-02-21T06:00:01Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sonia O’Sullivan: Sold-out Irish indoor championships still missing some star Irish athletes","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"GIDWKTSRJO5QQ4PX24LEP7TTPE","auth":{"1":"4b262423f6da82c96bff0226774673b0da881f437abfdba57ef642744bffa268"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/GIDWKTSRJO5QQ4PX24LEP7TTPE.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/21/sonia-osullivan-sold-out-irish-indoor-championships-still-missing-some-star-irish-athletes/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"XAOCLSP7EFHDZNT3ONNU3U36TM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":154,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/52e6d236-5ee1-4efa-8a81-e8722b5c2be0/versions/1740064940/media/47b682843ca6ffab62d94e64d6c908d9_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/20/sundays-session-of-national-indoor-championships-sells-out/","content_elements":[{"_id":"FJQRS7ELKNA4HHFYOQP5SJO5XE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Athletics Ireland have announced that Sunday’s session at this weekend’s National Indoor Championships is now sold out, advising spectators not to travel to the venue without a ticket.","type":"text"},{"_id":"437P23QGWBHLTNY25EYHGLRXGM","additional_properties":{},"content":"The official capacity at the Sport Ireland Arena in Abbotstown, now the permanent venue for the championships, is 4,000, with 400 permanent seats adjacent to the homestretch of the indoor track.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PUDE7HGD65BZPA3HIHYWXQR6IM","additional_properties":{},"content":"It’s the first time a session at the event has sold out, further reflecting the increasing popularity of the sport after both the European Championships in Rome last June and the Paris Olympics last August. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"N4PEVOBMJJBXHDOK2NQJRR4BSI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Tickets are still available for Saturday’s session, which includes several finals including the 200m and 60m hurdles, plus the high jump and triple jump.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NABD54KGYJAEJIJPIZ6FH5UNUY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Although some of the top Irish athletes will not be competing, with Rhasidat Adeleke already indicating she’s focused entirely on the outdoor season, the likes of Sharlene Mawdsley, also part of the mixed relay that won gold in Rome, and Sarah Healy have confirmed their intention to race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EDIR64GRNJGBFEEZIN5XOLDBOU","additional_properties":{},"content":"However Mark English, who recently improved his own Irish 800m record, has withdrawn due to injury, while Andrew Coscoran, who recently set Irish records over the mile and 3,000m, is unlikely to race due to illness. Jodie McCann, who recently set indoor bests over the 1,500m and 3,00m, has also withdrawn due to illness.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FGN7WYX7GBCLRNRMJP73MR2N44","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"C5JCLNL42JHCVL3NUVX4B4QNSQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Meanwhile organisers of next month’s Dublin City Half Marathon, for which the 12,500 entries sold out in just two hours, have announced additional general sales from entries originally allocated for charity, sponsorship, partnerships, and community programmes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NL67RBCMWREXRB6MA5GCUT6OZ4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Given the unprecedented demand for the race, we are releasing a limited number of these spots for general sales. These places will be distributed through a lottery system that goes live on the event website, <a href=\"https://dublincityhalfmarathon.ie/\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://dublincityhalfmarathon.ie/\">dublincityhalfmarathon.ie</a>, at noon on Friday February 21st and will close at midnight on Sunday February 23rd.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"WLRPNVCDOZDTBNVL47YW3S66PI","additional_properties":{},"content":"There is a €5 administration charge for each lottery entry; this fee is redeemable against the entry fee if successful. Already successful entrants can also transfer their entry to another runner, if desired, from February 21st to March 9th. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"QEX4YVSO5NCFLHXHQFQNI7TMLA","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"PDXMJFAY3ZHQDDOS4WOJYYC664","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"CNJDTLI7JRH7PEKWDJNALW27S4","additional_properties":{},"content":"The race will start and finish on O’Connell Street at 8.30am, the northside route taking in Ballybough, Whitehall, Killester, Howth Road, Raheny, St Anne’s Park, Clontarf, Fairview Park and Seville Place.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Tickets for Saturday’s session still available as popularity of athletics continues to grow "},"display_date":"2025-02-20T15:17:13.254Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sunday’s session of National Indoor Championships sells out ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"BUVPRD7UNCFEEAKW2J7S7K4L6M","auth":{"1":"5d82533ae66afa4cbd710d1b0a316878a9621d1e78341c49dde908d8ab27b116"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/BUVPRD7UNCFEEAKW2J7S7K4L6M.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/20/sundays-session-of-national-indoor-championships-sells-out/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"R7MTPJ5SFVEFLPDH2MJ3TMOQBU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":288,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/aadd4080-111b-4594-b532-1245c504e35f/versions/1739909071/media/07c27a4849361d5bbf23cd0d0345b71e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/19/i-think-im-listening-more-to-my-body-sharlene-mawdsley-on-the-changes-made-since-the-paris-olympics/","content_elements":[{"_id":"R7BDOMWT3NAYBKSMV3HZNFMSQY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Times moves quickly on from the Olympics, and six months after Sharlene Mawdsley ran the anchor leg in the bittersweet symphony that was the women’s 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics things have changed fast too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GE65KVVIV5HK3PVEE7WEMRRIGI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mawdsley has already replayed that race countless times in her own head – the last track event, on the last night of action inside the Stade de France, and on her 26th birthday to boot. As unbearably close as it was − the Irish quartet finishing just 0.18 of a second away from Great Britain (who won bronze) after Mawdsley took over the baton in second − she doesn’t lie: there’s also the lasting sense of what might have been.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EBBLXH5UORDTPBDRZMLJVBXPYA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It’s funny, I literally watched the interview last night, with me and the girls,” says Mawdsley, speaking in Dublin ahead of this weekend’s Irish Indoor Championships. “I think it’s a nice thing to look back on now even though it feels like a lifetime ago. So I don’t think about it often.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PL4LT6I5LFGALDVCK5CXTQ3S6I","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It’s hard because I’ve read some of the comments, and they’re like ‘what if she just kept going, and [Britain’s] Amber Anning had to run on the outside’, how that would have played out. But you simply don’t know, I could have blown up and hit lactic way sooner and we could have finished even further down. So fourth is just that bittersweet place to finish.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6VX762WXYNFLXHYG7K76Y3MXT4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And even though LA is three years you look to that so much as well, because you reach such a high at the Olympics, then it’s a really low comedown, and you have to look for ways to keep yourself motivated. So your mind is changing all the time in athletics.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CVBD75OPOZFAZA2DWEVRJEKJGA","additional_properties":{},"content":"That it came a night on after Rhasidat Adeleke also finished fourth in the individual 400m made it even more bittersweet, although in truth the Irish quartet possibly surpassed themselves, running an Irish record of 3:19.90, which would have been enough for silver in every previous Olympic final apart from 1988.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EH24Q2CLL5FK5ILC6BYQZYGQDI","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"TETTPJK25ZASNEX6BXNYILC4KM","additional_properties":{},"content":"It has unquestionably put them in the mix for the coming years, starting with next month’s European Indoor Championships in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn, where the Irish quartet are one of the six invited finalists: there’s also a mixed 4x400m on the opening night, Mawdsley also considering that after anchoring Ireland to glory at the European Championships in Rome last June.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JEXGS2S6JRBDZGHJG4P3DITOJI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Not long after Paris Mawdsley made the decision to change her training set-up, stepping away from Tipperary’s two-time Olympian Gary Ryan at their training base in Limerick, and linking up with London-based Tony Lester, whose group includes the Nielsen twins, Lina (who won bronze in the 400m hurdles in Paris), and Laviai (who won bronze in the 4x400m and mixed relay).","type":"text"},{"_id":"BJDCSYNIYZE6PMJAPJD5OHK2U4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I’d always set my whole Olympics to 2024, hadn’t looked after that. Then you look to 2028, and I’ve already said that’s the year I will retire. So that’s four more years, how am I going to get through that, get to LA and do better than I’ve ever done?","type":"text"},{"_id":"BEPORG7EPZGY7PI7I3EDSGOG3Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I’d always said I’d love to train in a professional group, and that’s where I had to look at moving coach, because in Ireland I was very much training on my own. It was never a chore, but I knew after 2024 I would struggle a little with the motivation, and when I looked at it Tony was the best person for me at the time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BKK6EL6A4BCT5DE4JEAJMMVVY4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I haven’t officially moved over yet, I’m living out of a suitcase at the moment, in South Africa in January, we go to Tenerife quite a lot. But in the coming months a move to London will be on the cards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3RSAALGXB7LRKQYZR65VXMOAA","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"X62PVPNTRVCV7POIU67P4D5IBY","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It’s a big change. I think I had more control [over] how I trained before, and maybe now, if the coach tells me to do something, I do it. And I’m training with Laviai and Lina Neilsen, who are the best in the UK. Laviai has broken 50 seconds, so I see that she does the sessions, and makes me say ‘okay I’ll do that’.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MEXTVHVH6VEWDK6LDWPA3APZUM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Like I swore before I’d never run a 500m, and this year one of the repeat sessions was 4x500m, so you just have to get out of your comfort zone. The sessions are probably more intense, but I have more recovery, don’t train on Fridays and Sundays on a normal week. And more emphasis on S & C (strength and conditioning). I can do pull-ups now, so, so far so good.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ATEKT4BFRZCNXN5AC3A4O3QALU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mawdsley opened her indoor season by improving her indoor 400m best to 51.69 in Glasgow earlier this month, and is gunning to defend her title in Abbotstown this weekend. But she has also changed her approach to racing so often.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SYAFXWUWNVFIPH7RJBICJRUUXM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I think I’m listening more to my body this year. I was meant to race last weekend but just knew I was a little fatigued. That’s something I definitely would have ignored in the past.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"IUAPC3FPSZAP7CS3C4TIFCOWR4","additional_properties":{},"content":"<i>♦ Sharlene Mawdsley was speaking in Dublin at the announcement of SPAR continuing their support of Irish athletes at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn</i>","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The 26-year-old Tipperary athlete has joined the training group of UK coach Tony Lester"},"display_date":"2025-02-19T06:00:01Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘I think I’m listening more to my body’: Sharlene Mawdsley on the changes made since the Paris Olympics ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"FREK4YPS55CKHCGOUV4WVVUR4I","auth":{"1":"3ac68870dfd74f3c77010cdf05a08a90dd307b9d95b508ba32f7d0b38ac5d6ff"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/FREK4YPS55CKHCGOUV4WVVUR4I.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/19/i-think-im-listening-more-to-my-body-sharlene-mawdsley-on-the-changes-made-since-the-paris-olympics/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"XAAVNYG75JELTBSQJB25M66BBY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":255,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/609d97e9-9b00-4454-9ab4-ce041828f225/versions/1739879425/media/0d33d22406149c24cdecc8abe61c39a1_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/17/its-work-train-sleep-theres-not-a-lot-of-time-for-anything-else-sarah-leahy-on-her-chase-for-another-irish-sprint-title/","content_elements":[{"_id":"4IJUEC2ASNEM7O3SSLQNNMQKUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051768},"content":"A current day in the life of Sarah Leahy is easily recountable, and even if it’s all a bit repetitive she wouldn’t have it any other way. A small price to pay for dreaming big about her sprinting potential.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YS5HO5P6ORCW3MG5HPOLWVKQQI","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051769},"content":"At this weekend’s Irish Indoor Championships at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sport-ireland/\">Sport Ireland Arena</a> in Abbotstown, Leahy will look to win back the 60 metres title she first claimed in 2023. That wasn’t long after she returned to the sport after focusing on women’s Gaelic football in previous years with her club Killarney Legion, the University of Limerick, and also the Kerry county team.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VDVRUMY34BHKXPBB5YMYWCQOFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051770},"content":"Now based in Dublin training with the sprint group under coach Daniel Kilgallon, Leahy also works full-time as an engineer with Winthrop Technologies, in Ballymount; Kilgallon’s sprint group, which formerly included the likes of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\">Rhasidat Adeleke </a>and Israel Olatunde, train at nearby Tallaght AC.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SXSC7AOQSFFPLMIQX6WAHMKO64","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051771},"content":"“I’m a BIM technician (building information modelling),” says Leahy, “and currently working on a project that’s based in Sweden, so I’m obviously not on site. I’m going to try to stay in the head office as long as possible because I don’t want to leave my training group.","type":"text"},{"_id":"II7YKMKIOBAHDHWZQBIJL6JYGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051772},"content":"“So I get up at 7am, start work about 8am to 8.30am, depends on the day, and I go straight to training for 7pm. So I might leave work at 5.30pm, get to the track, change, get ready, and then when I get home it could be 9.30pm, shower, eat, bed, repeat.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SXSEF5CUHNB4TAVFZWZ3SVRB7M","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051773},"content":"“So interests outside of athletics are quite small because it’s work, train, sleep – there’s not a lot of time for anything else. But that’s what we chose to do, and we love it, so I’m happy.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LB5GFML5JBE2RD54VRLGKYEU6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051774},"content":"So Leahy knows all about the commitment to both sports, and while she would have been entitled to some intercounty expenses had she stayed within the GAA, she doesn’t yet qualify for any support in athletics. Not that she’s complaining – ask not what your country can do for you, etc.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PU7PRPS6JEEDELKBZBQMDOJVA","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051775},"content":"“My parents are actually doing a little bit at the moment, with my club at home to get me a little bit of extra funding, because obviously I work full time. I was fortunate to go to a few competitions this indoor season abroad, but I have to take the week unpaid off work because obviously I only get 21 days of holidays during the year, so I have to save that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6ZLBFS4ERRDZ5DFE3P76J4XO7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051776},"content":"“I do have a little bit of support from a company, Danu Sport, they help me a little bit as well, for travelling and stuff, but outside of that, no, it’s all self-funded.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CNWHWIDICJGI3G5TSPK2FIEM5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051777},"content":"At age 25 Leahy is still off her sprinting prime, returning to athletics in 2021 after first joining the local club, then Spa Muckross AC, at age 10. The lockdown during Covid-19 helped force the decision to move away from Gaelic football, and she hasn’t looked back","type":"text"},{"_id":"HPNB7PUFLNHL3HODHUEVKTNTDA","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051778},"content":"“I remember seeing the 4x100m women’s senior relay at the world Relays in Poland, I just got this kind of realisation, like, I really want to do that, that looks so much fun . . . So, yeah, in 2021 I went back competing in athletics, didn’t expect how quickly, I suppose I would have improved, and it was the best decision I made.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"EQ2PABFPMVDJHNRCRDO2WS3XZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051779},"content":"In 2022 she was part of the 4x100m relay at the world Championships in Oregon, and in 2023 at the European Team Championships in Chorzów, and is currently part of the national 4x100m relay squad looking to qualify for the world Championships in Tokyo later this year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"INFIUX7UJBHFTJME35OAIFBABU","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051780},"content":"Abbotstown this weekend is another small step on that journey, and having finished second last year Leahy is clearly gunning for the title once again. She’s learned a lot since last year, briefly meeting Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles from the US when training and racing in Florida last summer.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M5GUALSIXZFDFFNANKX5DMW5XY","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051781},"content":"“I think two years ago I went in really confident, came out with a national title, then last year I think maybe my mindset wavered a little bit, and then I paid the price, I didn’t have my best race in the final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M2Y7JAGSNBBABOC2AIMIZYRRCA","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051782},"content":"“That happens, and so I’m learning a lot. You don’t really know until you’re on the line but there’s a lot of focus going into the weekend, the preparation, and I’m confident I’m gaining experience every time, because I’m still quite new to the sport, so I’m very excited.”","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The 25-year-old is also part of the Irish women’s 4x100m relay squad aiming for World Championship qualification"},"display_date":"2025-02-17T19:03:31.84Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘It’s work, train, sleep, there’s not a lot of time for anything else’: Sarah Leahy on her chase for another Irish sprint title ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"IHVTKLJUPKXKBZKWL72PLK2WMI","auth":{"1":"72fd3b87af6d8f90ad179bd13583c83423763f527456da90f49cdec3a024559c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IHVTKLJUPKXKBZKWL72PLK2WMI.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/17/its-work-train-sleep-theres-not-a-lot-of-time-for-anything-else-sarah-leahy-on-her-chase-for-another-irish-sprint-title/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"62BN6QAUF5HJ3BFWU7UWZVDSC4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":362,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/9b9485e3-2346-4692-a9de-cc66dfef2737/versions/1739567905/media/381aa8c29cee3815d7619096e9b59e60_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/16/monitoring-ozempic-use-in-sport-the-miracle-drug-that-surely-swerves-the-doping-code/","content_elements":[{"_id":"GNLPU2IYHNEOFDW3N74IBNYZ4M","additional_properties":{},"content":"Who doesn’t love the promise of any quick and easy fix in life, and there was no disguising such lusty enthusiasm in the voice of Sarah McInerney as she wrapped up the latest conversation around <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ozempic\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ozempic\">Ozempic</a> on RTÉ‘s Drivetime on Thursday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SORU73WBXJF7BKA4HPYIFPLBHE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It does seem to be a miracle drug though, doesn’t it,” she said. “It seems to do everything.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"J76Y2BKCHBEOVPLPBVSCRFMM24","additional_properties":{},"content":"McInerney is certainly not alone in that way of thinking, especially after the study published by the American Medical Association on Wednesday presented strong evidence that one of the potential side effects of semaglutide, the active ingredient in the diabetes and weight-loss medication sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, was a significantly reduced craving for alcohol.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PER2XSVMLBE6TIRFXVFJMHOK5I","additional_properties":{},"content":"It was a randomised controlled trial, following just 48 adults who met criteria for alcohol-use disorder. By the second month those taking semaglutide were drinking nearly 30 per cent less alcohol, on average, compared to a reduction of about 2 per cent in the placebo group. Probably beats going to rehab.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PNCKJXWN6BDUHKZIIHO54VTT5I","additional_properties":{},"content":"Given there’s more anecdotal evidence that Ozempic can also help reduce cravings for other addictions, including nicotine and cocaine, plus reduce the risk of a stroke or a heart attack, there may well be this “miracle” element – although Drivetime might want to consider another conversation around some of the potentially health-damaging side effects of semaglutide, including increased risk of thyroid tumours and loss of vision.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PHOY6FAPGJH3LNAV4U3RTK7RIM","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the meantime, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has taken note. These are already testing times for the protectors of all things fair and unfair in sport, given Wada’s future funding is under threat over its supposed soft handling of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/07/04/explainer-drugs-sport-and-politics-whats-going-on-with-chinas-olympic-swimmers/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/07/04/explainer-drugs-sport-and-politics-whats-going-on-with-chinas-olympic-swimmers/\">23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance</a> before the Tokyo Olympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5BKHXQ4OMVFBRPEUUL4XNMLRAA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Wada understands well the potentially performance-enhancing benefits of any fast weight-loss medication, miraculous or not, while also allowing the athlete to retain power, especially approaching competition. Which is why it has long banned several weight-control medications, mainly stimulants and diuretics, last year adding the substance 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP), an extremely dangerous compound often marketed for weight loss, and Rev-Erb-a agonists, also advertised as a weight-loss peptide, although not approved for human therapeutic use.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AC2ZLCP52FFHNJ5LLTZHKDEYHY","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GU43G6IEPRD23KSGHTUI6VGZUE","additional_properties":{},"content":"For now, Wada has placed Ozempic on its watch-list for this year, which means it’ll be monitoring how much semaglutide is showing up in its global testing network of 30 Wada accredited anti-doping labs, and whether there are any patterns of use and abuse in certain sports. Put miracle and drug in the same sentence and there’s no doubt some elite athletes already have taken note, too. The gains only need to be marginal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DUCTOC5JUZF75POMXKUF4EEG5U","additional_properties":{},"content":"To be added to the Wada banned list, the substance or method needs to meet at least two of the following three criteria: it has the potential to enhance or enhances sporting performance; it represents an actual or potential health risk to the athlete; it violates the spirit of sport (as outlined in the Wada Code).","type":"text"},{"_id":"QIWO3LVPPFDUZN4PMF3OMHHJ2M","additional_properties":{},"content":"Dr Olivier Rabin, Wada’s senior director of medicine and science, told triathlon.com last month that Ozempic “goes beyond a simple drug for obesity” and “opens up a lot of reflections, not only in sport in our environment but also in society in general”. So, is it fair or unfair?","type":"text"},{"_id":"DVTW52AL6NGS7CZLGHD37D6K6I","additional_properties":{},"content":"“If you can improve your weight-to-power ratio, you’re going to have a benefit in cycling, running, and possibly in swimming as well,” Rabin added, suggesting Ozempic at least meets the first criteria. Whether Ozempic is ultimately a health risk to the athlete or violates the spirit of sport is more open to interpretation. And even if Wada does ban its use, who’s up for some therapeutic use exemption?","type":"text"},{"_id":"CBGLIMDR75G5VHM6IRTYCHG22M","additional_properties":{},"content":"Wada is also known to be considering the banning of another so-called marginal gain in sport, with cycling once again leading the way here around the performance-enhancing potential of carbon-monoxide inhalation. That’s not a misprint.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IWTMSGNM2FAKLAHHER5LECWSVU","additional_properties":{},"content":"While the obvious health risk to the athlete here is ending up dead, carbon-monoxide inhalation – or “rebreathing”, as they prefer to say in cycling – has been in use for many years, a well-worn technique applied across endurance sport to measure total haemoglobin mass and blood volume, particularly when it comes to the effectiveness of altitude training.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UZB3V3XA6BHR3LXN4IMPTOKNXE","subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"DFHEZJNO3NBG5EU44GDBBOSPG4","additional_properties":{},"content":"However, some of those in the peloton also realised that more frequent rebreathing of carbon monoxide could potentially boost the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, that expensive practice linked with three teams in last year’s Tour de France: UAE Emirates, Visma-Lease a Bike and Israel-Premier Tech.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4YVPGF6UTRE55NDMZTR5CEBJH4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Although quickly played down – race winner Tadej Pogacar from UAE Emirates saying “it’s not like we’re breathing exhaust fumes from cars every day” – the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body of world cycling, clearly got worked up about it, and earlier this month applied its own ban on carbon-monoxide inhalation, and in this case advising Wada to take note too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YX4GYT5FLJCNVDTDNHPEA6QHDM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“The UCI takes a bold and necessary stance by banning the repeated use of carbon-monoxide inhalation on medical grounds,” UCI chief David Lappartient said. “Our priority is to protect the health and safety of our athletes and the decision is another significant step in this direction.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"RG5WXGJV2RDWBCIBFXFSWBVHDU","additional_properties":{},"content":"The UCI said: “The ban is independent of the Wada and the UCI Anti-Doping Regulations, however the UCI has officially requested Wada to take a position on the repeated use of carbon monoxide in and out of competition.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKPSLAXYWBEXPMWG6MBY3UCRQU","additional_properties":{},"content":"UAE Emirates have recently said they’ve already moved on from carbon-monoxide use anyway. Whatever about the potential performance-enhancing qualities, few riders or teams could stand over the use of a toxic gas otherwise known as the silent killer, strictly medically supervised or otherwise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TKD4GNRB45FIDPLSXAJE7OVEDY","additional_properties":{},"content":"The swift addition of Ozempic to any banned list may not be as straightforward, even if Wada does discover it’s being used and potentially abused beyond its intended purposes. But even if Ozempic may prove a miracle drug for some people, that alone should be reason enough to ensure it has no place in any sport.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The World Anti-Doping Agency has added the active ingredient semaglutide to its watch-list for 2025"},"display_date":"2025-02-16T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Monitoring Ozempic use in sport: the miracle drug that surely swerves the doping code?","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"XO2BB66IMVC5HXNZWRSFLXFXOE","auth":{"1":"bce8a40ca3eaaa99a4b661ad36a73676f45b84c3835a429d85bcdf5087ef74dc"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/XO2BB66IMVC5HXNZWRSFLXFXOE.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/16/monitoring-ozempic-use-in-sport-the-miracle-drug-that-surely-swerves-the-doping-code/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"F372CZH64VEGRCDJMZL2LEQXW4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":123,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/40d169b5-fb89-4f1b-8cf7-2f3407b23758/versions/1739482711/media/a0d7952e97de6cf3562b7c1963b5b196_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2025/02/13/jakob-ingebrigtsen-breaks-world-indoor-mile-record-in-france/","content_elements":[{"_id":"FCVWGJKIBNBALKQ2LROBPVQ2NI","additional_properties":{},"content":"All the talk beforehand was that <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jakob-ingebrigtsen\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jakob-ingebrigtsen\">Jakob Ingebrigtsen</a> <i>not</i> breaking the world indoor mile record would be a big disappointment, and as if on cue the Norwegian star dispelled any doubts, clocking 3:45.14 at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Liévin in France on Thursday night.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OHFAE3PUMBDFJBGB4H74646V44","additional_properties":{},"content":"Chasing the mark of 3:46.63 set only last Saturday night by Yared Nuguse from the US at the Millrose Games in New York, Ingebrigtsen passed through 1,500m in 3:29.63 – taking almost a second off his own world record mark for that distance set on the same track in 2022.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3I2ZDCE4SBEGLOIYJE4VZXTTVE","additional_properties":{},"content":"He held on for the final half-lap and, roared on by the sell-out crowd, charged through the finish line in 3:45.14, taking just under a second and a half off the short-lived world record, becoming the first man to break 3:46 indoors in the process.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XSCDFX6K7FHA5BTJJQSDHWTBME","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ireland’s Cathal Doyle improved his indoor mile best to 3:53.18 when running a well-timed race of his own to finish in third, with second place going to Stefan Nillessen in a Dutch record of 3:52.70.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C6N5CCBH25DKHD5WVVWDZ57X6Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"At the Armagh International 5km Road Race, known as “the world’s fastest” given its unrivalled depth of fast times, Efrem Gidey found the pace of the shorter distance a little too hard to handle as he had to settle for eighth place in 13:51. Andrew Colley from the USA took the win in a course record of 13:33, holding off Britain’s Jack Kavanagh, who was second in 13:35.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F5KPZNTO4BDMXABPTQELK7FITA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Gidey was looking to add to his half-marathon record of 60:51 set in Copenhagen last September, and his 10km record of 27:43 set in Valencia last month. His 13:51 is still a personal best for 5km on the road. In the women’s international 3km, Verity Ockenden from Swansea AC took the win in 9:05.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BTG53BLHVNDFLKV4PXMHLAF4CI","additional_properties":{},"content":" ","type":"text"},{"_id":"CWIJYKCF4ZA25JXVMB52IPWIF4","additional_properties":{},"content":" ","type":"text"},{"_id":"3CDJTRXNS5D2JLVIGRABQEDMQY","additional_properties":{},"content":" ","type":"text"},{"_id":"SDP6B4RKYREKHLZHIPDXNVMD6A","additional_properties":{},"content":" ","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Norwegian takes just under a second and a half off Yared Nuguse’s mark set last Saturday"},"display_date":"2025-02-13T21:33:18.931Z","headlines":{"basic":"Jakob Ingebrigtsen breaks world indoor mile record in France","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"P4CIS6OH7B6WJ5AE6XN52N3XBQ","auth":{"1":"2b458f403dbca9cd9c6937b4a1f6cc4012ea64aa920d27e0680b2623f2d59092"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/P4CIS6OH7B6WJ5AE6XN52N3XBQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2025/02/13/jakob-ingebrigtsen-breaks-world-indoor-mile-record-in-france/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"7TCNQU7DZVH4BPLZJPTKPDISG4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":220,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/5e5d6f3a-357f-4843-8416-f26643ff52d0/versions/1739386740/media/d6ddd92c24482cbaba6c391c6de38d8b_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/12/efrem-gidey-targeting-another-irish-record-at-the-worlds-fastest-5km-in-armagh/","content_elements":[{"_id":"VD3SUOHQHVG2FNIOF7JLSWW4D4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Every sporting event pens its own different label of attraction, and when the Armagh International 5km Road Race calls itself “the world’s fastest” it is not without some proof or merit. The 33rd staging of the race, set for the Cathedral City on Thursday evening (8.30pm), should only help reinforce that label.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UL5TU5OPYZG7TLXLWZDWBFMYUM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Efrem Gidey certainly hopes so, as the 24-year-old is aiming to break a third Irish road race record within six months, adding to his half marathon record of 60:51 set in Copenhagen last September, and his 10km record of 27:43 set in Valencia last month – that race incidentally labelled as “the world’s fastest 10km”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CTVPUVQCS5D2HKOIFRTWNGYTKE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Armagh focuses on the 5km for men, and the 3km for women (plus a series of open juvenile races from 6.30pm), and unlike mass participation road races is built solely around elite or sub-elite runners. Last year, despite the bitterly cold and snowy conditions, the top 132 finishers all broke 15 minutes – a time considered the benchmark for the sub-elite at the distance – while the top 17 all broke 14 minutes, which many consider world-class.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZNFKYRHWDJCZLO3Q4HC7YGAPB4","additional_properties":{},"content":"It’s that depth of fast times which has earned Armagh that label of “the world’s fastest”. Back in 2020, the top 139 finishers all ran under 15 minutes, and no other 5km road race in the world has since surpassed that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JSC24BMQERDL3NXWKDRU4SNWGQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We hold that record,” Armagh race director James Vallely told the BBC. “We have made this claim many times, and it has not been refuted by any other events around the world.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"U7OHRNQK5FFUHMVTNC75GQ36ZA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Organised by Armagh Athletic Club, the 5km is properly international too, and last year 191 of the 237 total finishers were from outside the island of island. The race was won in 13:49 by Topi Raitanen from Finland, a Tokyo Olympian and 2022 European champion in the steeplechase.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GQNIPBTZL5GJNKWZRRUSMFQWWQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"For men to qualify, they must have run a time of 16 minutes or under for 5km in the previous 12 months. Despite the nominal prizes (£200 for the winner) and prospect of unfavourable conditions on a Thursday night in mid-February, its popularity has also grown steadily over the years, in part thanks to its unique race atmosphere.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OKHMYRR6Z5FSXAI7UBHEN7MYTA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Taking in five laps of the mostly flat Mall circuit of the city, with live commentary throughout all the races, most of the runners themselves are keenly and competitively driven on by the simple prospect of breaking that 15-minute barrier, if not their personal best.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CRL6MGC44BBW5HXU3PLFJU5PHE","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Armagh course record of 13:37, set by Britain’s Henry McCluckie in 2023, and for Gidey, who last month also won the Raheny Five Mile road race in an impressive time 22:37, the target time will be the Irish 5km road record of 13:26. That was set by Alistair Cragg in Carlsbad, California in 2012 – another race often labelled as “the world’s fastest”, only without anything near the depth of Armagh.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3HLMWXPPQ5CIXEE7ZFQCQMRUGY","additional_properties":{},"content":"It won’t be easy, although Gidey, who arrived in Ireland as a refugee from Eritrea in 2016 and received citizenship here in 2019, is unquestionably in form, now benefiting from training full-time, still based largely in Dublin while under the guidance of London-based coach Andy Hobdell. His 10km time last month improved by three seconds the Irish record held by John Treacy since 1985, and if the 5km record is to drop, where better than Armagh?","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Now in its 33rd year, the Catherdal City event is unrivalled in its depth of fast 5km times"},"display_date":"2025-02-12T18:20:11.806Z","headlines":{"basic":"Efrem Gidey targeting another Irish record at ‘the world’s fastest' 5km in Armagh","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"RN34IQGYOARS57LAMVF6E34FAE","auth":{"1":"8bdf426ac5167fb0671e06f81ac74193de528a66077303d1b57f05d3e4737c06"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/RN34IQGYOARS57LAMVF6E34FAE.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/12/efrem-gidey-targeting-another-irish-record-at-the-worlds-fastest-5km-in-armagh/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"66ZLO2X63VCWRHNMPAODR72RW4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":315,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/3bd44ee4-c09e-4d98-a86f-516573481ccc/versions/1739109634/media/f1589a711434c19f8a2c46d11f715feb_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/09/andrew-coscoran-sets-new-overall-irish-mile-mark-at-millrose-games-in-new-york/","content_elements":[{"_id":"T7JPRXVLCZBPFD3UILOHLM65FI","additional_properties":{},"content":"For over 40 years the Irish mile records, indoors and outdoors, had stood alone like some glittering relics from another time and place. That was before <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/andrew-coscoran\" target=\"_self\">Andrew Coscoran</a> ran faster than both marks in setting a new Irish mile record with a stunning run at the 117th Millrose Games in New York on Saturday night.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JOM2B4RZWVFJ5N4WFKAHPFDVTE","additional_properties":{},"content":"It proved a historic night on several fronts, Coscoran’s 3:49.26 in finishing seventh in the famed Wanamaker mile eclipsing by over half a second the previous Irish marks held by Eamonn Coghlan and Ray Flynn, while Yared Nuguse from the US became the first man to break 3:47 indoors, winning in a new world indoor record of 3:46.63.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YJ4NKNWIQNFIXO6N6IGZBRZAUY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Coscoran’s time also came hot on the heels of Mark English and Sarah Healy improving their own Irish indoor records over 800m and 3,000m respectively, English smashing 1:46 indoors for the first time when running 1:45.15, the third fastest by a European so far this season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"55FPBNTVEVBWNKBEGDCMEANFNU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Coghlan and Flynn were both present at The Armory on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Coghlan as the previous seven-time winner of the Wanamaker Mile, while Flynn is the Millrose Games meeting director. Both were among the first to congratulate 28-year-old Coscoran, his 3:49.26 finally rewriting Coghlan’s Irish indoor mark of 3:49.78 set in 1983 (and a then world indoor record which stood for 14 years). Flynn’s outdoor marginally faster outright mark of 3:49.77 was set back in 1982 in the Dream Mile in Oslo.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3TCMUII335ETJKED6D4I6QC3YM","additional_properties":{},"content":"On an exceptional night for indoor running, Nuguse was closely followed home by US team-mate Hobbs Kessler, who ran 3:46.90 and was also inside the previous world indoor mark of 3:47.01, set by Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia in 2019. Cam Myers from Australia also set an outright world under-20 mile record, the 18-year-old coming home third in 3:47.48.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SGJZKNOLSFFKPH7YOQSGXZWTVI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Coscoran’s mile record also comes a week after he broke the Irish indoor 3,000m record in Boston, running 7:30.75, the Dublin athlete clearly benefiting from his recent change to his training set-up. He is now coached by Helen Clitheroe at the New Balance Team in Manchester, but also enjoyed a productive spell of altitude training in Flagstaff in Arizona prior to the indoor season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GBZNDASUZZBZTB22NNQYUEUWRM","additional_properties":{},"content":"At 31, English has also changed set-up over the winter and is now working with Australian coach Justin Rinaldi. His 1:45.15 on Saturday night left him a close fourth in a world-class 800m field. Josh Hoey took the win in a US record of 1:43.90, while English improved his own indoor mark of 1:46.10 set at the Sport Ireland Arena in Abbotstown back in 2021.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q2UFZJ66Y5HQVNSHBIVBVYO664","additional_properties":{},"content":"Shortly before that run, Healy produced one the best performances of her senior career to date, finishing third in the 3,000m in 8:30.79, also taking over four seconds off her own Irish record of 8:35.19, also set in Boston last Sunday. Victory there went to Whittni Morgan from the US in 8:28.03, with Healy, who turns 24 next week, out-kicking Olympic 1,500m silver medallist Jessica Hull from Australia into fourth.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T5CETRWUIJFDZMEP47KU5CXQ4Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"For Coscoran, English and Healy, all three performances will clearly put them in the mix at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands early next month, with the World Indoor Championships in China two weeks' later also an option.","type":"text"},{"_id":"72IBCV47VZDSFNXA5QDH2QVNQY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Among the other highlights of the Millrose Games was Grant Fisher from the US running 7:22.91 to break Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma’s world indoor 3,000m record of 7:23.81, with his US team-mate Cole Hocker also dipping under that old mark with his 7:23.14 second-place finish","type":"text"},{"_id":"LAXT3MQ57VDFPGCX55L3EPNCBU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Closer to home, Sharlene Mawdsley continued her impressive start to the indoor season in Metz in France, finishing second overall in the women’s 400m. The Tipperary athlete won her heat in 51.86, with only Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands running faster when winning her heat in 51.70.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YZW6CYREEZC3LKPHWHZR2FH5JE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Jodie McCann improved her personal best to finish sixth in the 1,500m, her 4:09.18 moving her up to third on the Irish indoor all-time list for the event behind Healy and Ciara Mageean, while Darragh McElhinney was also sixth in the men’s 3000m in a season’s best time of 7:45.25.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Dubliner beat both Eammon Coghlan’s indoor and Ray Flynn’s outdoor records that have stood for over 40 years "},"display_date":"2025-02-09T13:32:09.736Z","headlines":{"basic":"Andrew Coscoran sets new overall Irish mile mark at Millrose Games in New York","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"DYCFE6MFHXGCR5RMHPR4ZZ4D54","auth":{"1":"b2658780cf87b323cd2d81ed28def72aa6c738ea9bff1a431bb58610514c2534"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/DYCFE6MFHXGCR5RMHPR4ZZ4D54.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/09/andrew-coscoran-sets-new-overall-irish-mile-mark-at-millrose-games-in-new-york/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"OE4MOOIYC5CRPHPUUNZGFR33BU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":400,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/8854619a-55b8-466d-ae51-cc72d20241e1/versions/1738951120/media/f8d7a95a27364d3ada10a5e280ff2f28_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/08/running-up-that-dune-how-keely-hodgkinson-follows-in-the-training-footsteps-of-the-greats/","content_elements":[{"_id":"4J56CVOR5VGTZHPV43GCJ63HOE","additional_properties":{},"content":"In its now 80 years of enduring publication Athletics Weekly has had plenty of apt and iconic cover shots, and rightly appearing among them on the front of the latest February issue (the magazine went monthly five years ago) is Keely Hodgkinson, unquestionably the face of British athletics and one of the best runners in the world.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DHY3VTVSPBARNE72IWAMVBPDIY","additional_properties":{},"content":"I willingly inherited several boxes of back issues of Athletics Weekly starting from the early 1960s (the magazine was founded in 1945 by Jimmy Greene in the bedroom of his bungalow in Kent); these days my subscription is strictly digital, but the publication still delivers plenty of wordy and worthy content. Now read on.","type":"text"},{"_id":"463PIYM2HNA5VOR6L7CYHI6ZTA","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Hodgkinson cover shot includes the caption “The Star Attraction”, a reference not just to her current status in global athletics, but also to the Keely Klassic indoor meeting in Birmingham next Saturday, where the 22-year-old will race for the first time since winning the Olympic 800 metres gold medal in Paris last August, having gone unbeaten in 2024.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DL5VYWTIANATHDJKRGNPLNSUEA","additional_properties":{},"content":"That race, incidentally, was the most-watched event on the BBC throughout the entire <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024\">Paris Olympics</a>, with 9.1 million people tuning in as Hodgkinson’s bold front-running move with a lap to go inside the Stade de France saw her hold off Kenya’s world champion Mary Moraa, improving on the Olympic silver medal she won as a 19-year-old in Tokyo in 2021.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4MTXLVT3BRGERKZMTZ43PJWBFA","additional_properties":{},"content":"That performance also helped to crown Hodgkinson the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2024, ahead of teenage darts sensation Luke Littler, with her husband-and-wife coaching team of Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows also jointly named BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year. A nice sweep for any sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HLW3HFWHBJCKNGWRDKAVAY5OO4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Part of Hodgkinson’s appeal might well be her simple and no-nonsense approach to the sport, and that of her coaches, Painter helping to make that point when telling Athletics Weekly that the preparations for Paris included some old-fashioned sand dune training, at Formby beach, a short drive west from her home in Manchester and Painter’s home in Wigan. Ireland’s Sarah Healy is also part of this training group.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XMLE7P3YOBEA3K7XRNWFHHJ4L4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Just because you’re over the hill or, like me, long past your running prime doesn’t mean you can’t still take a tip from this. Sand dune training is the one session most distance runners love to hate, knowing full well how cruelly tough it is to run uphill against the stubborn resistance of the grainy sand – or indeed downhill for that matter – while also realising this is exactly what develops potentially untapped reserves of strength and stamina, all while demanding no compromise on good running technique. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"HEWJ5GZH5NHVLOSK27EYGUG4BI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It’s a really brutal session,” Painter explained. “It’s formulates your mind as well as your physiology.” And trust me, it also forces runners of all abilities to address any weaknesses, rather than just work on their strengths, because there is no hiding from the truth of all that on the sand dunes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GRDZRTFKNJCQNOHFKC4CNMBTLE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Sand dune training has drifted in and out of popularity over the years. There is a magnificent picture of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ronnie-delany\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ronnie-delany\">Ronnie Delany</a> in his book Staying the Distance training on the sand dunes of Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast, just south of San Francisco, in the spring of 1960. Delany was based there at the time, working as a representative for Aer Lingus, and often linked up with Don Bowden, the first sub-four minute miler from the US, in their preparations for the 1960 Olympics in Rome.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y6UYM5D3YG2G6HOHRGP3QDUTPM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"YBS2QNINYNCLNDLWCRBCXJF3JU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Even when running up against the shifting, sandy gradient, Delany’s elegant if slightly upright style is unmistakable from that which saw him win the Olympic 1,500 metres gold medal in Melbourne four years previously. Sadly, an Achilles tendon injury would ultimately deny Delany the chance to defend his title in Rome, although, as it transpired, that race was won by another willing servant to sand dune training.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EP6O22SOHRGAXCD2WRSPWX73M4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“You might think you can run faster than me,” Percy Cerutty, Australia’s legendary distance coach, would snarl at his young pupil Herb Elliott, “but you’ll never run harder than me.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5YAY5MDSFFHURGMN3ABHBUAF5Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"Cerutty grew up in extreme poverty and didn’t taste any kind of fruit until he was 15. In 1942, at age 47, his health had failed so dramatically that he decided to do something dramatic about it. He revolutionised his diet, eating only raw, unprocessed food, and embarked on a punishing exercise regime. Five years later, at age 52, he ran a marathon in exactly three hours.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2X6WEQK4BZBVBPJ7EEAOCWHPB4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Keen to spread his running gospel, Cerutty set up a training camp at the small seaside town of Portsea, on the Victorian coast, perfect for his murderous training sessions over the vast sand dunes. Among the runners first drawn there were John Landy, who had come second to Delany in Melbourne, and, later, Elliott, who won the gold medal in Rome in a then world record of 3:35.6 before retiring two years later, undefeated in 44 races over the 1,500m and the mile. Cerutty continued coaching until 1975, when one evening he sat on those same sand unes at Portsea, took a deep breath, and exhaled his last.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AIV6YC2OKHJTQUNDRJM3TOZM6I","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VCZCQEYNNNCZ7LGTME5VPQADAI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Steve Ovett, who was favourite to win the Olympic 1,500m gold medal in Moscow in 1980, only to end up winning the 800m instead, was also a frequent (if perhaps slightly less willing) proponent of sand dune training, usually at Merthyr Mawr in south Wales, along with his coach Harry Wilson.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CH2LH44TOFC2ZLTGLPR5UJ3M7I","additional_properties":{},"content":"Hodgkinson, meanwhile, has made no secret of her record-breaking ambitions this year, starting in Birmingham next Saturday, where she is targeting the 800m world indoor record of 1:55.82 belonging to Jolanda Ceplak from Slovenia since 2002, and set coincidentally on March 3rd, the same day Hodgkinson was born.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XVQU4QSSMBHYDBNO6FGQNSMXIM","additional_properties":{},"content":"That’s proved a tough record to break for several reasons. Ceplak was pressed all the way at those 2002 European Indoor Championships in Vienna by home favourite Stephanie Graf. Five years later, Ceplak tested positive for EPO, and in 2010 Graf was also banned for the attempted use of a prohibited doping method.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SFZX5UOL5BA6PCS2THAX7SZLX4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Outdoors, Hodgkinson has an 800m best of 1:54.61, set when winning the London Diamond League last July, and this summer will also target the oldest and one of the most controversial world records in the books: the women’s 800m mark of 1:53.28 set back in 1983 by Jarmila Kratochvílová from the former Czechoslovakia.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MLWPXH36HFBB3OHKK46WMCXGCI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Hodgkinson will need to improve by almost a second and a half; still, it’s clearly within her range and ability in the coming years. The tip is in repeatedly running up the sand dunes at Formby beach, helping to point the way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WDV5LO2GFRGRNNTPR63MU737EQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sand dune training has drifted in and out of popularity, with Ronnie Delany and Steve Ovett tapping into powder power"},"display_date":"2025-02-08T06:00:01Z","headlines":{"basic":"Running up that dune: How Keely Hodgkinson follows in the training footsteps of the greats","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"MBBQLP4VWOAYL62DQZ4YDQQRDE","auth":{"1":"1252706cf0143532741a08cc99a0558f8f3909793f5bdc8086ffb304bee356e7"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MBBQLP4VWOAYL62DQZ4YDQQRDE.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/08/running-up-that-dune-how-keely-hodgkinson-follows-in-the-training-footsteps-of-the-greats/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"EHUOOULQAVDH7BK7AD4AX4MH7I","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":246,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/dcf69afc-6cf3-4f32-b758-01bff8a4b045/versions/1738592728/media/0b244f698c1ec174b441aab12023cb9f_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/03/new-irish-indoor-records-for-andrew-coscoran-sarah-healy-and-kate-oconnor/","content_elements":[{"_id":"JFIVIEGQ7VAZ5LDNF5FUVGBZ5U","additional_properties":{},"content":"The first proper action of the new indoor season and with that <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/andrew-coscoran/\" target=\"_blank\">Andrew Coscoran</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-healy/\" target=\"_blank\">Sarah Healy</a> have both rewritten the Irish 3,000 metres records, Coscoran nailing the biggest victory of his career to boot.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I5TNDIQZ25ERPHAUAYYUHEKYKA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Competing at the sold-out New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston on Sunday night, Coscoran toppled the world-class field with a bold move to the front with two laps remaining, rewarded with a winning time of 7:30.75, the fourth fastest by a European, and improving his previous best by 10 seconds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MYVFH4BHORGZTEVVC25HZKCBAI","additional_properties":{},"content":"It was a superbly confident run by the Dublin athlete, taking eight seconds off the previous Irish record which has stood to Alistair Cragg since 2004, and only Mark Carroll’s outdoor record of 7:30.36 is faster on the Irish all-time list.","type":"text"},{"_id":"55SCTIOCSBDJTG6SOJCAKEDXRQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 28-year-old Coscoran, who recently joined the New Balance Manchester group coached by Helen Clitheroe, timed his run to perfection, running a blazing 26.71 seconds for his last lap, after overtaking long-time leader Azzedine Habz from France, who also ran a national indoor record of 7:31.50 in second; 18-year-old Cameron Myers following his world under-20 indoor mile record in New York last month with an Australian indoor record of 7:33.12 in third.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P67Z5VHD5RFW7O3544VKBPFSQI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I’ve had a good couple of coaches over the last couple years who have been unbelievable as well,” Coscoran said, acknowledging the input of his previous coach Feidhlim Kelly at the Dublin Track Club. “This is a couple years’ worth of work on the track.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FUEUD56NZRCITAYWWIVJPMQIHE","additional_properties":{},"content":"In a similarly competitive women’s 3,000m, Healy finished in fourth place in 8:35.19, improving her own Irish indoor record of 8:36.06 set last year. The 23-year-old from Dublin has also benefited from a move to the UK in recent seasons, where she trains under Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRAXXSLS6JCVFMFOMJYOZTJDWI","additional_properties":{},"content":"The victory there went to Melissa Courtney-Bryant from Wales, who ran a lifetime best to 8:28.69, the European indoor bronze medallist improving her previous best by more than nine seconds. Elise Cranny from the US was second 8:29.87.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YVEZQJJALZAZJFBVMG5C5H6FIA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mark English was also in action over 800m in Boston on Sunday night, the Donegal man finishing fifth in 1:46.82, and all three athletes are clearly building nicely towards the European Indoor Championships in the Dutch town of Apeldoorn next month.","type":"text"},{"_id":"25IGVIDRLJDVRJZSVMS6AI2ERQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Kate O’Connor was also in Irish record-breaking form over the weekend, at the Tallinn Combined Events meeting in Estonia, setting personal bests in all five disciplines to smash her own Irish indoor pentathlon record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WLRWGQASDNB7DIQTJWY24K6WNQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 24-year-old O’Connor recorded a tally of 4683 points, finishing to second behind Finland’s Saga Vanninen (4843), and notably higher than the 4396 points she recorded in France two years ago.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E2ZPSLOFUBD3DHFTZNHPXRNVSY","additional_properties":{},"content":"O’Connor’s effort included a throw of 14.42m in the shot put, plus an indoor best of 2:13.60 over 800m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DZ5AVS23UFBAZHWSVEAFLXL3VQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"At the Scottish Athletics Indoor Invitational in Glasgow, Sharlene Mawdsley also got her season off to a winning start, clocking an indoor personal best of 51.69 to take victory in the 400m and secure an automatic qualifying standard for Apeldoorn – running .22 faster that her previous indoor best. Dublin-based Bori Akinola clocked 6.74 in the final of the 60m to claim second.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Andrew Coscoran nails the biggest victory of his career at grand prix in Boston"},"display_date":"2025-02-03T14:20:22.187Z","headlines":{"basic":"New Irish indoor records for Andrew Coscoran, Sarah Healy and Kate O’Connor","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"KO36HHRWTRMUQFENU6YJYSWR5Y","auth":{"1":"5dd7d4945b6afffebffd4d76bd002f69062aae39f2abea1b01a88289c79d1a9a"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/KO36HHRWTRMUQFENU6YJYSWR5Y.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/03/new-irish-indoor-records-for-andrew-coscoran-sarah-healy-and-kate-oconnor/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"FK6VSX6AIZDI7L3OVMYVRKBVNM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":328,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/f668cf65-85de-44e6-a076-f828a2e42f50/versions/1738087515/media/e2b5557751a7bdfe82e4ea263cd2e5c9_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/30/dave-hannigan-sad-spectacle-as-marion-jones-bids-to-rebuild-her-ruined-brand/","content_elements":[{"_id":"B2W6IKHLMZB2PIKQLMIGOEK4LI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Before donning boxing gloves and a headguard, Marion Jones did an earnest piece to camera, in the practiced manner of a woman dealing with media obligations since her time long ago as California’s teen sprinting phenom. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"K6VSI3SRRVGWRGJ5RPYRWSMPPM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Styling herself as an unlikely middle-aged scrapper, she talked about how during her stint in jail she got into an altercation with another inmate that earned her 49 days in solitary confinement. No humble brag.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R6D57355PFHLXJRMHP6JOOOV7M","additional_properties":{},"content":"“If I have to fight,” she said, “I will fight.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UJJFGEYBYJATPO4LVCJ3EPPI5A","additional_properties":{},"content":"When she squared up to Kayla Nicole, an opponent described as model, influencer and former girlfriend of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, her experience of hand-to-hand combat in the clink didn’t count for much. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"54M3YM56XVHKRDUVBACLTGQIEA","additional_properties":{},"content":"As the two women flailed wildly at each other with more enthusiasm than skill, the younger Nicole landed cleaner hits and 49-year-old Jones eventually crumbled to the ground clutching her ribs, complaining of pain and shortness of breath.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZXGYBV4PIJFQPPHRXXMI5EWPHA","additional_properties":{},"content":"That was her final, ignominious contribution to Fox TV’s Special Forces – World’s Toughest Test, one of those shows in which celebrities of various wattages and vintage endure physical and mental torture to entertain the masses and resuscitate their flagging brands. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"DOIANXV2QJD3ROXRBG7VH4XHZM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Reality television is the last refuge of too many scoundrels, and a quarter of a century since the Summer of Marion yielded five Olympic medals in Sydney, the most famous distaff drug cheat of all returned to America’s screens, a dreadlocked mother of three, ex-con turned personal coach and motivational speaker.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BFYRW2LBXJATVJTPDJ2YJV7ZUM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"G2RCHNV2DNEO5GZUAK7EDY6T54","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I can’t go back and change things,” she said. “But I’ve come here to set an example for my kiddos that courage is stepping out when you don’t want to with the possibility that there’s going to be critics, there’s going to be opinions, but you just don’t disappear.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"EAB3D3WGJBBT3ONTPKRGQ3SB44","additional_properties":{},"content":"Even for those of us who watched her starring role in one of athletics’ ugliest and all-too regular steroid scandals, there was something almost sad about this cameo. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"G5NJN2KZZJBEDBCWG6E4D2OG2I","additional_properties":{},"content":"A woman that history might well have remembered as the world’s fastest reduced now to arse-boxing a content creator for the price of a few weeks back in the national spotlight. It can be legitimately argued this is exactly where she deserves to be for her sins but there is a nagging sense too that Jones suffered a lot more than some other celebrated drug cheats of her generation. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"TNGZFDJE5RG4DOPG2BF6UBT3Z4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Lance Armstrong all perpetrated sporting fraud on a similar scale to her yet none ever did jail time for their myriad wrongdoings. Having once served 30 days house detention in his mansion, Bonds is special adviser to the San Francisco Giants CEO and works with the club’s most promising youngsters at spring training.","type":"text"},{"_id":"353QUR5HMNG7JGHVRUADYBRVTY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Armstrong, somehow, remains a hero to the current crop of amnesiac cyclists and his podcast was a vaunted element of NBC’s coverage of the Tour de France last summer. Rodriguez is the face of televised baseball in America. Each of them is still coining it, the stench apparently long since evaporated from their soiled reputations.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4NZGOQJGNJALFFYEGTHTATP2DU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Once Victor Conte blew up Jones’s scam in the Balco affair, Olympic officials came to her house to repossess the medals. She didn’t even have time to troll her enemies by posing with her trophies à la the infamous shot of Armstrong in his crib with his maillot jaunes. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"46OEQHBC4JAQBF3VSJYFOWRR44","additional_properties":{},"content":"A Texas judge sentenced her to six months in prison and 800 hours community service for lying to federal authorities about steroid usage, and cheque fraud. A one-time college basketball star, upon release, she dabbled briefly in the WNBA, averaging just under three points a game, before fading from public view for nearly a decade and a half.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NTAC3QDM6JH33HOYANOYTGYL74","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VUULZMNZABB47FHVYI2GEVPFWY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Twice-divorced Jones re-emerged last summer, taking to Instagram to announce she was in a long-term and happy relationship with a woman. There followed a revealing interview with SELF magazine, during which she was asked what counsel she might offer to today’s female athletes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M4WDZLLEQBGBHGETMRP7YEWGBA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“My advice would be to, number one, make sure that they are surrounding themselves with people who have their best interest at heart,” said Jones, who went from earning $80,000 per race to bankruptcy. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"YB2KJURV3BF4RISRB2ZWSDBVE4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It becomes very easy, especially if you’re young, for so many people to see you as a dollar sign. And they become what I like to call ‘yes people’ − who will say yes . . . no matter what. Even if it’s a poor choice, or it’s not the right company to align with. They’re like, ‘Yes, that’s great'.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5GAEHF5DF5EANOZ5JDJJBRPMME","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the accompanying photo spread, she wore Adidas, Reebok, and Puma gear. Significantly, not a swoosh to be seen. Nike made tens of millions off her in her prime, as it did from the tarnished achievements of Bonds, Rodriguez, Armstrong, and so many other chemically-enhanced swindlers. Nobody has ever sold ersatz greatness to gullible fans through slick, cloying television commercials better than Phil Knight’s snake oil merchants.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MAQVQUZECJF4FKNEKDC22VRBPE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“This communique is from Mrs Jones,” she said, in a 2000 Nike ad where she lectured America’s athletes about misbehaviour. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"3LJYK355FVFX7B2MAC7TISMVZA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Friends, enough is enough, the drug use, the spousal abuse, the violence, it’s got to stop. Whether you want responsibility or not, you are a role model. I know what Charles [Barkley] said, but you missed his point. He was calling for parents to get involved, he wasn’t giving you a licence to act the fool. We need more role models, the more the better. Can you dig it?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MWTT2AZWAZDVRO6TKM4RAV4YUM","additional_properties":{},"content":"That went down very well back then. Hits different now.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Dave Hannigan"}},"name":"Dave Hannigan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Reality television the last refuge of too many scoundrels as disgraced former Olympic champion joins a long list\n\n"},"display_date":"2025-01-30T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Dave Hannigan: Sad spectacle as Marion Jones bids to rebuild her ruined brand ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"KWZKHWQ32ZH6DICU3OUFYTHDDE","auth":{"1":"ef04635b295f430e38c88c27fff9bb86c77d0768d49e18df1d9633c87b9a74ab"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/KWZKHWQ32ZH6DICU3OUFYTHDDE.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/30/dave-hannigan-sad-spectacle-as-marion-jones-bids-to-rebuild-her-ruined-brand/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"2733LOLNMJHSXDWRLJLDD6IPKI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":140,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/06d550e6-3f02-4caf-9a83-505b4d6e9b8b/versions/1738157211/media/50669603a6565c3645d2fc2b56f10ea1_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/29/i-have-cherished-every-moment-thomas-barr-announces-retirement/","content_elements":[{"_id":"SJH2JRMADJBXJCVB2GZ63VT7VA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Three-time Olympian <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/thomas-barr\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/thomas-barr\">Thomas Barr</a> has announced his retirement from competitive athletics. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"WBWCXV4R35B3HJ6VGUUBLD2PXI","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 32-year-old 400m hurdler from Waterford won a bronze medal at the 2018 European Athletics Championships in Berlin, becoming the first Irish male sprinter to win an outdoor European medal in the 84-year history of the event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4PO7SRCDT5HP5AC5RFRAW5YA4E","additional_properties":{},"content":"In 2016, Barr finished fourth in the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games\">Olympic Games</a> 400-metre hurdles final in Rio in a time of 47.97 seconds, setting a new Irish record that still stands today. He was also the University World Champion in 2015 and holds multiple Irish records in the 400m hurdles, including Senior, under-23, and under-20 categories. Over his career, he has won 12 national titles in the 400m hurdles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7XWFVKACL5HGJHAKK3WVYDE22A","additional_properties":{},"content":"Last year, Barr enjoyed groundbreaking success as part of the mixed 4x400m relay team who became European Champions in Rome and secured a bronze medal at the World Relay Championships in the Bahamas.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBMP6SLYXKHJQ4N4FBXY52QZTA","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6OD265JNRVB73DAVWVFAWL4XIY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Reflecting on his athletics career, Barr said: “I am grateful to all the people who have been part of my journey, especially my parents, for their support. And my coaches, Drew and Hayley, who were central to my athletics performances. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"MN22VUKF35EGTNGTRA4AVTLY6M","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I have loved the sport from the day I joined Ferrybank AC as a young boy. I have cherished every moment, from winning national championships to breaking Irish records and representing my country on the European and World stage. I will never forget finishing fourth in the Rio Olympic Games and winning bronze at the European Championships in the 400m hurdles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6U4FNGS7DZFQXNQ37PLRVE2VZ4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“My final year gave me some magical moments; being on the mixed relay team that won a World medal and secured victory at the European Championships was incredible. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"7IKZ2JZI2RG6LJ7LNYME3TXAWA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I am grateful to Athletics Ireland and the team management for their support throughout my career. A big thank to you to the athletics community and the public who have cheered me on in both the good and bad times. As I close this chapter, I look forward to what the future holds and hope to stay connected to the sport that has shaped my life.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","type":"list"},{"_id":"FJQRS7ELKNA4HHFYOQP5SJO5XE","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"Three-time Olympian won bronze at the 2018 Europeans and finished fourth in Olympic final in Rio"},"display_date":"2025-01-29T13:31:33.503Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘I have cherished every moment’ – Thomas Barr announces retirement ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"CMB6FLYQSXTTNE6N56D5LWH25E","auth":{"1":"d0e9123b0372e8b1c515350cdabe626bf25d41729788eae0e53b8f3774acac83"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/CMB6FLYQSXTTNE6N56D5LWH25E.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/29/i-have-cherished-every-moment-thomas-barr-announces-retirement/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"BDOMBMQNLVEV3O2BRO7QWMY66I","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":349,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/dee90bac-2712-4687-a91d-6b25f9657aba/versions/1737050529/media/c563081146efa5ed6eb323c194e5525d_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/17/sonia-osullivan-relay-pool-an-open-door-for-young-athletes-hoping-to-make-a-splash/","content_elements":[{"_id":"7QJTAPLHCVARVKZ7NYMXAZJBHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886819},"content":"The Irish athletics scene is still in hibernation, with many of Ireland’s 2024 stars scattered around the southern hemisphere and the United States at various training camps. The big attractions are the warmer weather and high altitude locations mainly in the South African and Australian summer where the weather is consistently warmer and more predictable at this time of year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FANVKMDFPZFEXCMDMZ4CXVP4XQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886820},"content":"Even though the racing scene is fairly dormant apart from winter road racing and cross country, the athletes are putting in the ground work now that they expect to pay dividends in the coming months at the early season indoor races. This could lead to possible appearances by Irish athletes at the European Indoor Championships from March 6th-9th in Apeldoorn, Netherlands and the World Indoor Championships two weeks later in Nanjing, China before heading outdoors to the World Relay Championships, back to China again in Guangzhou on May 10th-11th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VY2XWXSQHFEA7F5TUCIUYDWPNQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886821},"content":"No Olympics this summer but it’s going to be a busy year for athletes with a lot of long-haul flights for the major championships, culminating with the World Championships at the end of the season in Tokyo in September.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6W63R36J5BE5VCYHGZA3MCI6RA","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886822},"content":"The medal-winning success of the Irish relay mixed and women’s squads in 2024, at the World relays and the European Championships, remain fresh in the memory as well as the heartbreaking fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympic Games by the women’s team.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NDG5MI6ZBFFIJNEVWKPB4VEYPQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886823},"content":"There was also a fourth place by Rhasidat Adeleke in the 400m and coming so close just fuels the fire as these athletes set their sights on solidifying these performances with even greater results in 2025.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGFRDCOLERE6BKDPBEWPHFWBMI","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886824},"content":"It’s not an easy decision for athletes who are qualified individually to also run the relay on tired legs knowing that the potential for greater success would require them to put all the eggs in one basket, but also rely on their team mates to deliver a complete performance at the highest stage.","type":"text"},{"_id":"G47JLARCDZHVNGGBZMQAFMTT2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886825},"content":"This is an area where Ireland are handicapped due to a lack of depth in quality to be able to field different athletes to qualify for the final. I believe the potential is here for young aspiring athletes to view this as an open door to be a part of a successful event in Irish athletics by raising the standard and increasing the number of athletes available to the relay pool.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ML7EDBNECVBYFGCPEEQIWSHR64","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886826},"content":"The relay is typically a bonus event at the end of a championship but, for some countries down through the years, it is seen as the greatest opportunity to bring home a medal on the Olympic stage and that’s what these next few years are for, to build on the success of Paris as we head down the road to LA 2028.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VEDHSW37W5DJDDEGKMAK4XRBZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886827},"content":"In the middle distance events, the European Indoor Championships are a good stepping stone for athletes on the cusp of success, for those that can run fast times but have yet to make finals. With so many championships and races this year on the Diamond League calendar and the newly formed Grand Slam track primarily taking place in the US, athletes will have to sit down and make some hard choices, and be careful not to spread their efforts too thinly, as they have to carry their form all the way to the World Championships in September.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IRJ3UPP7XVHJXMEA3ZJATPDYGY","additional_properties":{"_id":"I2G3JMIYY5AJXBIPQNO2PWUGAQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"S5KGGGGXLJCM5NHHUOEHSESREI","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886828},"content":"As much as we had success throughout 2024, there is still a lot of room for growth, particularly on the men’s side where the highest ranked in their event was Mark English who came in at 21st in the 800m. In doing so he solidified his qualification for all the major championships in 2025.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PQCB5GZGMNFQHGNF2R5OQC735I","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886829},"content":"When an athlete has their qualification in place it makes their life a lot easier as they can pick and choose a schedule to get them to the championships ready to race and avoid the need to desperately chase times whenever the opportunity arises.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CAOPA5F6A5GGHGBZZLUCK6AOH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886830},"content":"In 2024 there were five Irish female athletes ranked in the top 20 or better for their events – a good foundation of success to build on in the year ahead – and there was a noticeable level of respect shown towards Irish women who didn’t just hope to find themselves competing in finals and semi-finals, but had their sights set higher.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MLGWEKZ6IFEZPPZNEHNIUXIC3Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886831},"content":"The European youth medal-winning class of 2018 is leading the way, with Rhasidat Adeleke ranked fourth in the 400m, and so close to an Olympic medal. You know when an athlete is disappointed with a fourth place finish that they truly believe they could have achieved more. You also know the hard work and effort required throughout these winter months to get back up to that level again in four years’ time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4BKCWCDGQJCULCD73OXXLRDB3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886832},"content":"It will be interesting to see if Rhasidat takes the opportunity to chase a gold medal at the European and World indoors or if she will wait for the outdoors to re-start.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E2A6Y4ABNVHZ3HQAGON56UFCEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886833},"content":"Indoors is one stage that Sarah Healy, ranked 17th over 1,500m, can find some confidence in her championship racing. Sarah has shown her ability to keep pace with the best athletes in the world, improving her time to 3:57.46. She trains alongside Olympic bronze medalist Georgia Bell so she will know what it takes to succeed at the highest level. The European Indoors are the perfect stage for Sarah to challenge for her first senior medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HOYTW7DMYNCIRDMFV6MZ7WX3CI","additional_properties":{"_id":"PDCNFUK4H5GUXHBPKYO3MKN3UA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JRIOTQTDIZFL5KLJRROCIFYLCU","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886834},"content":"Sarah Lavin is another that knows she belongs in the finals; ranked 15th in one of the deepest events, she will certainly be eyeing a hurdles final at the European and World Indoors, where a year ago she placed fifth.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CTLORGDKNZBKNH62I5XQ7AGK74","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886835},"content":"Israel Olatunde has been in Florida the past number of months under the watchful eye of Noah Lyles’ coach Lance Brauman, training alongside the Olympic 100m champion, and it will be intriguing to see the impact this has on the Irish 60m and 100m record holder.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3J4T6O4VRFYNKZEEY3FPZVHKA","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886836},"content":"For sure, 2025 won’t have the same intensity that you see in an Olympic year and this is where opportunities can arise for athletes waiting in the wings, ready to take their chance when it arises. Let us hope we see some of that success land in the lanes of Irish athletes throughout this year.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}},"name":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sonia O’Sullivan: Relay pool an open door for young athletes hoping to make a splash"},"display_date":"2025-01-17T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sonia O’Sullivan: Relay pool an open door for young Irish athletes hoping to make a splash","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"5MHDUJ72NBE2JDG656WGPHMYX4","auth":{"1":"0000bca8cb9fb5f1f2e63e5a1d926489b59a87af23991f7bc3c4ea0d70d3370a"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/5MHDUJ72NBE2JDG656WGPHMYX4.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/17/sonia-osullivan-relay-pool-an-open-door-for-young-athletes-hoping-to-make-a-splash/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"LBWRRGASSBHHDKHMJUFSXVI23M","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":240,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/9433389f-c1f0-407e-b308-3ca35194024e/versions/1736370560/media/4e33f784e04525927496fa04b89cbb67_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/08/not-in-our-wildest-dreams-half-marathon-organisers-blown-away-by-demand/","content_elements":[{"_id":"JKTUYFTK35ACRLCC7PTOCPEVDY","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868415},"content":"Event organisers of the new Dublin City Half Marathon say not in their “wildest dreams” did they expect to sell out all 12,500 places in under two hours.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPDXMS7FEBAKRHKBAHDE2KWE3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868416},"content":"Entries for the March 30th event, which is being organised by <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> in conjunction with Dublin City Council, went on sale at 12pm on Wednesday with all race numbers snapped up before 2pm.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IAYD3YF7QZHFDG6TTMGT2ZHT3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868417},"content":"However, hundreds of hopeful entrants were left disappointed at missing out as the online registration system suffered repeated glitches, users encountering validation errors, the server appearing to crash on occasions and often sending purchasers back to the very start of the process.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TQJVCUISDNHJBMUZPD2ABAFZ2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868418},"content":"“We are aware that some users experienced problems. Our office has sent screenshots of any errors we received to Event Master to see if they can figure out why those errors came about,” said race director Jim Aughney. “We will review the process fully and consider options for 2026.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"HQE5UFKLLBHERIMFTWEDOUFR2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868419},"content":"For those left without a race number there will be another opportunity to get an entry as a transfer of places will be permitted, at a cost of €5, between February 21st to March 9th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZHUWZNVFHJD6PFZ7A47FGE3GU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868420},"content":"Such was the demand for entries the waiting queue exceeded 22,000 at times on Wednesday afternoon – though it does not necessarily mean that volume of individuals were trying to gain entry to the race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IW5SKKHFKBEIDIWL2WO7J4DF6I","additional_properties":{"_id":"4IEHPB3UYVFH3CS243YYGLBKFU"},"content":"Dublin City Half Marathon: 12,500 entries sell out in under two hours","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"PLRBNJZX3ZBZHOZWKYX7JVFJMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868421},"content":"“Same people could have had three sessions open on their phones and laptops, so while we know the demand was huge we don’t know what those numbers actually mean until the data is examined,” added Aughney.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNNX5L3JWZG2PPIZ3L3WSIDZTY","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868422},"content":"Either way, it is clear that several thousand more entries could have been sold. The race will start on O’Connell Street at 8.30am with the proposed northside route taking in Ballybough, Whitehall, Killester, Howth Road, Raheny, St Anne’s Park, Clontarf, Fairview Park and Seville Place.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZEBM5OJ4CNCU7O6LFYS6DBF5JY","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868423},"content":"The €68 entry fee – which includes a finisher’s T-shirt, medal and postage of race number – also generated debate on Wednesday. The total cost for many runners was €74.42 because of a €4.42 handling fee plus a €2 Athletics Ireland Licence charge for non-club members.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BOYVRNEKIBGMHLDMMG47X3TZ5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868424},"content":"Aughney said the price point was reached as the cost of running the event will be “north of €1 million”. “And just like with the marathon, any excess funds from entries will go back into the event as hopefully this will continue to grow over time,” he added.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BTQXA7FWOZF2BI2BU2R2BH2C5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868426},"content":"The capital’s more traditional 13.1-mile race – the Dublin Half Marathon in the Phoenix Park, which is part of the official Dublin Marathon Series – will again take place in September. Entries for that race will open on February 19th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XHKEB5WO3BFPZETVGTOB7VTNBI","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868427},"content":"The achievement of selling out the new Dublin City Half Marathon in a matter of hours demonstrates the huge appetite for such events.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HCQIH24JUND47AHWDIEHRQDAQE","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868428},"content":"“Not in our wildest dreams did we think it would sell out in just over an hour or so,” said Aughney. “If we sold all the entries by the time the event came around in March we thought we’d be doing really well.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IQQOKVZUCJEYJBKMYCXDF3WZFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868429},"content":"“So, this is clearly a huge statement from the running community in Ireland. We believed in the event but the level of interest was phenomenal and it kind of took us by surprise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"54BAF2XNCFHC7HJKZCFHFPHFMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868430},"content":"“We looked at the trend across Europe and the half marathon seems to be the sweet spot distance now that people are aiming for – most of the other bigger cities have half marathons roughly six months out from their major marathon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JIWJUXJKTVEYRI3PR53AGIR6HA","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868431},"content":"“Thankfully Dublin City Council supported us and the running community responded in huge numbers.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"Organisers acknowledge technical issues that hindered some users in securing a place"},"display_date":"2025-01-08T21:04:02.549Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘Not in our wildest dreams’: Half Marathon organisers blown away by demand ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"W2AP466ELZNDAHTB7AWFDIXYUU","auth":{"1":"30d10361ccfd1a2d5ac99be6118b7b2098930d2165ae6d2053e443f1d4e13485"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/W2AP466ELZNDAHTB7AWFDIXYUU.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/08/not-in-our-wildest-dreams-half-marathon-organisers-blown-away-by-demand/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"HYFPX6XC3VBZDACY2OSJP7FLRU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":94,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/a91f77a0-7ec1-42b7-a773-0b5dc4074b14/versions/1736347378/media/ebb5ba92680a5cf44cdefef1d7c85574_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/08/dublin-city-half-marathon-entries-sell-out-in-under-two-hours/","content_elements":[{"_id":"CNXMSLYWX5AAFL6YRNCYOFU5WM","additional_properties":{"_id":1736273193073},"content":"Entries for the new Dublin City Half Marathon have sold out less than two hours after going on sale.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TPYAOE6NWVDR5LNLCZ5KSEHV4U","additional_properties":{"_id":1736347601527},"content":"Having gone on sale to the public shortly before midday on Wednesday, the 12,500 available places sold out just before 2pm.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YQH5CB4TORFLTMBX66TAGHDOFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1736273193074},"content":"The event, which is being organised by Dublin Marathon in conjunction with Dublin City Council, will take place on Sunday, March 30th, with a €68 entry fee.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YWGAWNXAZVBTXNH7BTN6KDRZQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1736273193075},"content":"The race will start on O’Connell Street with the proposed route taking in Ballybough, Whitehall, Killester, Howth Road, Raheny, St Anne’s Park, Clontarf, Fairview Park and Seville Place.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NBUEFCDN7ZC3ZIM6W4G4VJGJDA","additional_properties":{"_id":1736273193076},"content":"Organisers confirmed there will be a transfer window from February 21st to March 9th, during which runners will have the opportunity to secure an entry via the transfer of places.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5BDC2EMQ4BF2PCJY5M22WRHJNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1736337461330},"content":"Commenting after entries for the event went on sale, Dublin City Half Marathon race director Jim Aughney said: “We knew there was a demand for another high-quality half marathon in Dublin, and today has shown that to be true as we sold out in a couple of hours.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QTVZUGNFPFAXLH6ZAVX2UWGY2I","additional_properties":{"_id":1736347108562},"content":"He added: “We are aware too that given the high demand, some users experienced difficulties with registration. We will review this fully and consider options for 2026 entries.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"Entries went on sale just after midday on Wednesday"},"display_date":"2025-01-08T14:42:55.713Z","headlines":{"basic":"Dublin City Half Marathon: 12,500 entries sell out in under two hours","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"FA3FM5JDUVGSPPBZEG2QI2WGSE","auth":{"1":"43db7be308c10f8a503ebf5c0f8ca38a0894dff3729875954d3843aaf896df59"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/FA3FM5JDUVGSPPBZEG2QI2WGSE.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/08/dublin-city-half-marathon-entries-sell-out-in-under-two-hours/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"BISONB5UY5A3LHPEOLYKQWRSW4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":799,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/917b30a5-8a3b-4d04-8012-3800f8a7f18d/versions/1734540687/media/1b8ae32f5ddba901c1c16d0866483236_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/28/denis-walsh-irish-sports-underdog-mentality-has-been-replaced-with-an-unabashed-hunger-to-be-the-best/","content_elements":[{"_id":"DDZS6ZV4D5BPXLWF7RMT7RBGJI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756873},"content":"On the opening weekend of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic</a> regatta <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paul-o-donovan/\" target=\"_blank\">Paul O’Donovan</a> walked into the mixed zone flogging a punchline, mercilessly. In the draw, the reigning World and Olympic champions were just the third seeds. O’Donovan greeted every microphone with a stand-up riff he had composed earlier, pretending to be injured by the slight, or pretending not to be.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XNED3YSDNJFVDNDXQLIYEM6ZYA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756874},"content":"“I can’t even count how many names are above us [in the seedings],” he said. “We are just here to enjoy ourselves, do the best we can and take a few of the big scalps – all going well.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"265BYA743VE6ZOMSWAMUWRIOFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756875},"content":"O’Donovan’s self-portrait as an underdog was deliberately preposterous. It was the only gag in the routine. O’Donovan and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/fintan-mccarthy/\" target=\"_blank\">Fintan McCarthy</a> were favourites to win the gold medal, just as they had been favourites for every race they had rowed together for the previous five years. For them, being an underdog or not being an underdog had no consequence. They had a cold contract with each other to make the boat go faster.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YTVWTBEUXVHVZHZBKUX4VPQHRY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756876},"content":"For generations of Irish sportspeople, being an underdog had been a fossil fuel. In the popular imagination, winning was wrapped up with fire. Put ‘em under pressure. Boot and bollock. Stand up and fight.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VHN7G7KCYZFOVHJDN6TPNPVBAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756877},"content":"It was a safe space where winning was optional and losing was available with a range of painkillers and rounds of applause. All of it was a cop-out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JVVEBIGLHFCDJHYAIQOPN2252M","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756878},"content":"In the Golden Age of Irish sport, winning has become intentional. Elite Irish sportspeople make themselves accountable to winning and losing rather than innocent hostages to the outcome. ‘If’ has been emasculated. O’Donovan and McCarthy were convinced they would become the first Irish athletes since Pat O’Callaghan to retain an Olympic title. They knew it was in their hands.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNG6GXK3U5DDZK5H53BZ4HJXYA","additional_properties":{"_id":"2MPKRBP5LNEITM5L4O5N5DS36M"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"D6X3AJ6JYZE3HFKJ6FFZYXA2AM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756879},"content":"Gymnast <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhys_mcclenaghan/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhys McClenaghan</a> and swimmer <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/daniel-wiffen/\" target=\"_blank\">Daniel Wiffen</a> were of the same mind, though they expressed it with chutzpah. “There’s some things you set out to do,” said McClenaghan a couple of months after he <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2024/08/03/tears-of-joy-flow-as-rhys-mcclenaghan-wins-historic-olympic-gold-medal-for-ireland-in-gymnastics/\" target=\"_blank\">won gold at the Olympics</a>. “Not just taking part but taking over. As soon as I could see the pathway to being the best in the world I was like, ‘Ok, I’m going to say it because it needs to be said.’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5NELQWOJ2VFCJLVHPII35FQLJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756880},"content":"After he <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2024/07/30/irelands-daniel-wiffen-wins-olympic-gold-medal-after-stunning-800m-swim-in-paris/\" target=\"_blank\">won his Olympic gold</a> Wiffen spoke about his nerves, but most of all he spoke about his certainty. “I had no doubt in my mind,” he said. “I had won this already, before I walked out [to the pool].” When he appeared at the RTÉ Sports awards before Christmas he said it wasn’t a question of ‘if’ he would be on the podium at the LA Games, it was only a question of how many medals he would win; his expectation is three.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TCHN6LGBHBBYBNTQEFAW5FRWQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756881},"content":"At the Olympics and the Paralympics this cultural shift was crystallised more than ever. It wasn’t forced or fake. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/orla-comerford/\" target=\"_blank\">Orla Comerford</a> won bronze in the T13 100m and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/09/03/there-is-lots-more-in-the-tank-orla-comerford-happy-with-paralympics-bronze-for-now/\" target=\"_blank\">her first reaction was “disappointment”</a>. At her third Games, this was her first medal. The two athletes who finished ahead of her had both broken the existing world record. When Comerford met her family, she said, her feelings softened, but her first reaction was the most truthful.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4RLGWT3275G63CUZRYVTY3A4AA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756882},"content":"“I reckoned at the start of the year that it was going to take a world record to win it and that’s what I had my eyes on,” she said. “I know that was ambitious, but I think that is well within my wheelhouse. I just feel like there is lots more in tank.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"IRQ3TZBHOJGTRE73AXVJ5FGWMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756883},"content":"It would have been easy to hide behind the bronze medal and pretend it was the measure of her dreams, and for generations of Irish athletes that would have been the instinctive response: be grateful for the bread on your table.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NMUN6DUYYFGJVGP3PRAGH2DOEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756884},"content":"Winning has no truck with moderation, though; it is governed by greed. In rowing, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/philip-doyle/\" target=\"_blank\">Philip Doyle</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/daire-lynch/\" target=\"_blank\">Daire Lynch</a> became the first Irish heavyweight crew to win an Olympic medal, but they weren’t satisfied with bronze either. “It was kind of a wave of positive and negative [as we crossed the finishing line],” said Doyle. “Relief and disappointment.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XHPWHWBV3BBY7EDJGHDQ5CU7XY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734536500991},"content":"The only way they could have won gold was to cultivate those feelings. If they had aimed for the bottom step on the podium, where would they have ended up?","type":"text"},{"_id":"S4AAK36E3VVO5ZBJTMD5EZMYCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"PBGSI2A5RFBSZKOMKKHPZZH7WI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"66DH7ZO7ZNHT5CPQVW6G76Z57M","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756886},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> ran the third fastest time of her career and came fourth in the Olympic final. To win a medal she would have needed to break 49 seconds for the first time in her life. In the course of her season, she set six new Irish records as an individual and six as part of relay teams. At the European Championships, she won two silvers and one gold. Good year?","type":"text"},{"_id":"24IR5DKA4JDDPOJ2YG65STWDRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756887},"content":"In a series of interviews hosted by one her sponsors before Christmas she said she still “had PTSD” from the Olympics. When she’s scrolling through photographs on her phone she skips the images from Paris, she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SIXGIKZDMFGMVMXF4VZQ3EFUPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756888},"content":"In terms of medals at major championships, Adeleke had the best season of any Irish athlete since Sonia O’Sullivan in 1998. But her goal was an Olympic medal, and all the other stuff couldn’t make up for that loss. The European Championships and the Olympics were different currencies, and there was no exchange rate.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZLR2X6Y3V5FYLET6COPDYCSOWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756889},"content":"Adeleke is one of the most talented sports people that Ireland has ever produced, and like Wiffen and McClenaghan and O’Donovan and McCarthy, she has no business sifting through the detritus of a loss in search of comfort, or mitigation. In her mind, she was accountable to the outcome.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MTV3I6NWHZDBHKBZPONBAJMJZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756890},"content":"“I didn’t achieve my dreams today,” she said immediately after the race. “In the future I just hope I’ll be able to perform at my best when it’s most important.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MZARBQHD2NC3BF7HPKOILXAZLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756891},"content":"At these altitudes the falls are precipitous. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/leinster-rugby/\" target=\"_blank\">Leinster Rugby</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rory-mcilroy/\" target=\"_blank\">Rory McIlroy</a> spend a lot of time near the summit. The footing is treacherous; they slipped again. Leinster are still stuck on four European Cups; McIlroy is stuck on four majors: flamboyant, brilliant, box-office, agonisingly close, tormented.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5GQHB5SDS5EQRHSCWBZH5CW3NU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756892},"content":"A month after he bogeyed three of the last four holes at the US Open, McIlroy turned up in the media centre at the Scottish Open, trying to explain himself again. In these situations, over the years, McIlroy has been remarkably candid and generous in his answers. He has sat behind those microphones and somehow led the case for the defence and the prosecution. McIlroy has always understood that being plausible after a crushing loss required a degree of self-rebuke and admission of weakness. Many other sportspeople don’t care about being plausible in public.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6MT5WU4W6VAEDKH6ZGU4RCXIXE","additional_properties":{"_id":"MYE774BUJNAHNHVZTPTMW6CHOM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SKTMVTWOIJGEVPRT7BBJUT5CLM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756893},"content":"The short putts he missed on the 16th and the 18th overshadowed the clutch putt he holed on the 17th. He came from three shots behind at the beginning of the day to put himself in a winning position at the only time in the tournament when that status mattered. To get there, he had managed his mind and played some brilliantly controlled golf.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O5GNE64W4FHUZEUFQPT6O4UK5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756894},"content":"In the press conference at the Scottish Open he gave a site engineer’s report on the sliding, slippery, smelly, downhill putt he missed on the final green, when he needed to hole it to be sure of a play-off, at least. It felt like the kind of putt that McIlroy could miss at any time, but, according to the statistics, he had not missed from inside five feet on the PGA Tour all season – from nearly 500 putts – until the closing holes at Pinehurst. By the end of the year, he ranked third on tour for putts holed from that range.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D7ZU6B7RJVBVFOERBAHCVVR4CM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756895},"content":"With McIlroy, the assumption is always that his mind let him down. He needed to confront that likelihood again. In elite sport, that component cannot be wished away. In that context, McIlroy said something interesting about the putt he missed on the 16th, which was shorter and much easier than the putt he missed on the final green.","type":"text"},{"_id":"33GENKOYVZDCJDQUCAUFG2W7ZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756896},"content":"“I can vividly remember starting to feel a little uncomfortable waiting for my second putt on 16,” he said. “The first putt [from distance] looked like it could be a birdie, and it ran a foot by where I thought it was going to finish. I marked it, Patrick [Cantlay] was hitting his putt, and he can take his time [Cantlay is one of the slowest players on tour].","type":"text"},{"_id":"IWTCNXSRMBE2PPDWIE6FM46DQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756897},"content":"“You have to be really deliberate in what you’re doing. I just think I had to wait a while to hit that second putt. The more you stand there it’s hard not to either start thinking about the future or notice where Bryson’s [De Chambeau] ball is in the fairway. But, again, that’s on me to make sure I’m in the right head space.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"RJJ5ASKX35ED3JOBNI6TP7ZJH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756898},"content":"With Leinster, just like McIlroy, it went down to the wire. By having a kick to win the Champions Cup in the final minute of regulation time, they had put themselves where they had planned to be: in a winning position when it mattered most. This was their intention.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KH2R2IGVWRB2TOYIXLETVU57IM","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZX2W3UZMW5A5DCENR6KLQPLKWI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6BL2JSCWHFGE5IXADEGRCJJWVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756899},"content":"Since they last won the title, Leinster have now lost four finals. There is no remedy for past defeats. Like Lot’s wife in the Bible, looking back will turn you into a pillar of salt.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T3K4ZXUTZVCYPJDNWR62VEC4TY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756900},"content":"“We said in the changing room, ‘When you want to do great things and you want to achieve great things, you always want the risk of failing greatly as well,’” said James Ryan afterwards. “Would I rather be in a team that tries to be the best team in Europe every year and have risks in a team like this? I still would.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"WEUQMVWF5JDIFHQCKSB6RUB3RI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756901},"content":"And that’s the point. Winning, wanting to win, being desperate to win, is the riskiest thing of all. Underdogs hold themselves to different standards. Being an underdog is an each-way bet. It is the realm of “might” and “maybe” and “what harm?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DBSRC4OEVVGMRMGSLDE7YPKYPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756902},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/willie-mullins/\" target=\"_blank\">Willie Mullins</a> gave that up a long time ago. On the day he trained his 100th Cheltenham Festival winner Ruby Walsh recalled Mullins’ refusal to sell a talented young horse called Wither or Which back in the mid-1990s. At that stage, Mullins had trained just one Cheltenham winner and the economy of Irish racing was such that most trainers were forced to sell their best young horses.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBC76SSBYZBDXE34PYYBCICOLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756903},"content":"Mullins made the decision that his yard wasn’t going to be like that. He embraced the risk. Mullins was still riding as an amateur at the time and in March 1996 he rode Wither or Which to win the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Twenty-eight years later, his 100th winner came in the same race, with his son Patrick in the saddle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"66KTA5ZWO5FRBC2XF5EXNKRPHE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756904},"content":"The growth of Mullins’ dominance over the last decade has been one of the most extraordinary stories in Irish sport. It is only 11 years since he became the Irish trainer with the most Cheltenham winners, beating Tom Dreaper’s record of 26 that had stood for more than 40 years. At no other time in the history of Cheltenham, though, was 100 festival winners imaginable.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3VQAWE7G65FH7GNZDKZNWIISNE","additional_properties":{"_id":"3U63DO6ZPNCS5GOJ363ZYOUELU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"D4V4QYCR6RAPLAUTJBJT3UUVBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756905},"content":"On the day in March when Mullins reached that milestone, he saddled a treble. In the opening race, a grade one for novice hurdlers, he trained the first five home. Less than two months later he was crowned champion trainer in Britain, the first Irish-based trainer to achieve that feat over jumps since Vincent O’Brien 70 years ago.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EUGPMALJTJAFJDEBOFS5R7GGZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756906},"content":"There are people in the sport who find his dominance oppressive and boring, but that is a relic of old thinking. He distanced himself from the herd. Great sportspeople make that separation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZQAECM7MOFELVFOEV73JZ63IKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756907},"content":"Aidan O’Brien has been at Mullins’ altitude for decades. Before Royal Ascot he trained his 400th group one winner, worldwide, an astonishing number. In November he trained his 20th Breeders’ Cup winner, joining D Wayne Lukas on top of the all-time list, at a meeting where the odds are weighted heavily in favour of American trainers.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OI6Z7YZGIFAIBGG6NYUUDEH7FQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756908},"content":"Mullins and O’Brien, we take for granted. The excellence of the Ireland rugby team has become a given, too. Excluding the pandemic-ravaged schedule in 2020, Ireland have, on average, lost five Test matches in the year after a World Cup; this year they lost just three times and won the Six Nations. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2024/07/13/ciaran-frawley-the-man-of-the-hour-as-ireland-strike-late-to-stun-south-africa/\" target=\"_blank\">Ireland won in South Africa for only the second time</a> in the fixture’s history and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2024/02/02/ireland-stun-france-with-best-ever-six-nations-victory-on-french-soil/\" target=\"_blank\">won in France for just the 13th time</a> in 114 years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGB62OU6AFFDZDBT6RKJLI367E","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756909},"content":"And yet, by the end of the year, there was general uproar about the clunkiness of Ireland’s performances in the Autumn Internationals. Success takes that toll. In the decades when Irish rugby was an underachieving underdog, those performances would have been given a God-help-us benediction. Which would we prefer?","type":"text"},{"_id":"MHIMDGRSHZEPXMMQRUJXMCIIA4","additional_properties":{"_id":"VAJT4MAFKVHFPD3QAXDEFKPTZI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AELHP2EJBJBTHLOCLFUTOZHWAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756910},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a> keeps getting the close calls that Leinster and McIlroy find so elusive. She keeps putting herself in winning positions too. Her resilience and drive and stamina and skill are outlandish. How many global pioneers in their sport have we produced? Maybe only Taylor.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZY6KJPX67REO5OLDPR5XEN2AFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756911},"content":"It is extraordinary, though, that <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a> should come along at the same time. In the beginning she might have followed in Taylor’s footsteps, but soon she made her own path. Double Olympic champion now. Heading to Paris, she carried the same expectation as Wiffen and McClenaghan and O’Donovan and McCarthy; none of them buckled. “Dreams are heavy things,” wrote Laurence Arnholt in one of his children’s books. Grown-ups know that too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H2RIJHPRIFBONLK23MCSQGL3MY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756912},"content":"The hurling championship was a glorious sunbeam in a cloudy summer. The All-Ireland final was a match of everlasting brilliance. Everything about it was heartening and uplifting. Armagh won the football All-Ireland as outsiders. They didn’t think like underdogs, though.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RQE5XTRZJ5F6BENFEN3UUSFJK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756913},"content":"That cop-out is dead.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Denis Walsh"}},"name":"Denis Walsh"}]},"description":{"basic":"In the Golden Age of Irish sport, winning has become intentional"},"display_date":"2024-12-28T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Denis Walsh: Irish sport’s underdog mentality has been replaced with an unabashed hunger to be the best","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"MX64ROKLF5CIHDXOBKB6GYZYRE","auth":{"1":"42b4f9b40dd5b3fd2135c15cc19c2536d3574044a9f61e387385859488a7abcb"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MX64ROKLF5CIHDXOBKB6GYZYRE.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/28/denis-walsh-irish-sports-underdog-mentality-has-been-replaced-with-an-unabashed-hunger-to-be-the-best/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"OEWYAH5XHBAQZNAS6F4WZUCM6Q","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":978,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/d12d50e5-ca7e-4618-a92c-d60270c9ed21/versions/1734027032/media/3ea01cd39c409e225066a3aa27ac2a77_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/12/28/sports-speak-2024-the-wit-and-wisdom-from-damian-duff-to-daniel-wiffen-kellie-harrington-to-rory-mcilroy/","content_elements":[{"_id":"5UQ6A4YNU5HFJDPPEP7CEAWO74","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500673},"content":"<b>January</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"6LBNJ6QYI5H6HLQJ7FDSC6D66Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500674},"content":"“I realised that my resources are not endless . . . we are not young rabbits any more and we don’t jump as high as we did.” <b>Jurgen Klopp catching Liverpool fans on the hop by announcing that he would be leaving them at the end of the season.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6DRIGB35TJFKRISDKILS77O4SE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500675},"content":"“I honestly wish it was my wife leaving me and not Jurgen.” <b>A soon-to-be single Liverpool-supporting caller to talkSPORT after Klopp’s announcement.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"UASL2OHS4RDEJGXVXZJXSO3GEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500676},"content":"“I enjoyed that, I really did. I started the week feeling a bit rough but I bought myself an air fryer and started eating a bit better.” <b>Ronnie O’Sullivan after finding his inner Ninja in his comeback against Judd Trump in the World Grand Prix final.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IG4SJIREXMAX2QZYP6GNHJUDHQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"XTSRY7QKJFBNBNLADMBHGOXOOI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VABLY446JNCGVGXZBMKCN3FZOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500677},"content":"“I just wake up, play on my Xbox, have some food, have a chuck at the board, go to bed and that’s it.” <b>Luke Littler on his life before reaching the World Darts Championship final at the age of just sixteen. It’s changed a fair bit since then.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EM4XEHFYAJHF5CJ2CGEF2NC2QY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500678},"content":"<b>February</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"DALWHI4CMFASVKNBYLFK6H7HMY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500679},"content":"“Speaking from experience, when you have a barnet like that, you have got to play well – and my God, did that boy play well.” <b>Brian O’Driscoll doffing his cap to Joe McCarthy (and his hair-do) after his most excellent Six Nations display in the victory over France in Marseille.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"5Z5IOKAZP5HLPGZ63ZWVORSR2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500680},"content":"“I’m in awe of Willie Mullins. He’s at the top of his profession and has been for over a decade. Some people are suggesting he should be restricted. Well, you don’t tell Taylor Swift to stop releasing albums so that other people can win the Grammys.” <b>Jane Mangan salutes trainer Willie Mullins and his crop of Swiftie horses.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"XCCQOSTHUFAZXEPGKQSASZCWS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500681},"content":"“I stopped someone following me in to the toilet the other day. They were like, `oh, can I get a photo?’, and I was like, `yeah, but do you mind if you wait for a bit?’.” <b>And this was before Daniel Wiffen won his Olympic medals. They’re probably snapping him at the urinal this weather.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"4KD245WDCRCU7PSPRQJSKWEJSA","additional_properties":{"_id":"E34PQLGEJJEZDKYBKS6WRXIXVE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"42EAPKULOVBO7I2HAC7FOHHSQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500682},"content":"“How do I word this? Maybe through someone through someone through someone, someone asked me would I be interested in speaking to someone.” <b>Damien Duff on whether the FAI contacted him about becoming Stephen Kenny’s successor during their interminable search for one. That was a definitely maybe.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JXNRDRQSW5GQDDOG5HBN276ATI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500683},"content":"<b>March</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WM5ZP2JSR5HGBEZBH52OC62JNQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"CH4SVKW76RDGLN3EEADQ4PLDGE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"R6AW4JAT3FH4LMJEN6Q7UY263U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500684},"content":"“She’s such an incredible rider. As good as she is everywhere else, she’s even better here. We’ve had some incredible days.” <b>Trainer Henry De Bromhead after Rachael Blackmore rode Captain Guinness to victory in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Having already won the Gold Cup and two Champion Hurdles, that secured Blackmore the third jewel in the festival’s crown.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KDZJWSARQJBVNCUKTKB3E7UVSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500686},"content":"“We unknowingly used a divisive expression. We deeply regret this error and apologise to those we have offended.” <b>MLS club Minnesota United after signing off their announcement about hosting St Patrick’s Athletic in a friendly with: “Tiocfaidh Ár Lá.”</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QQCCO757TZBDFN5L7ZNZORHO3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500688},"content":"“I have a poster of Novak on my wall. Every night I go to bed, I see him. He’s the best player ever. I will keep this moment with me for the rest of my life.” <b>Luca Nardi, the 20-year-old Italian who, when ranked 123 in the world, beat his poster boy Novak Djokovic at the Indian Wells Open.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"S27OLOOZUJAN5ANSJWBG2UNYUM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500690},"content":"“I told John that I’ll chase balls into the bushes or go look at players, whatever he needs. I’m delighted he feels I’ve something to contribute after all these years.” B<b>rian Kerr on returning to the Republic of Ireland set-up as a technical adviser to interim manager John O’Shea, 19 years after he was the gaffer himself.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MC3XVODHZBADJAKC3NGARAOCNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500692},"content":"April","type":"header"},{"_id":"GXK3PURBAFBTDODU7OTN7I7I4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500693},"content":"“He’s transformed the club from a place when they had people like me playing for them – that’s how bad it was.” <b>Peter Crouch saluting Jurgen Klopp as he closed in on his final game in charge of Liverpool.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"J3U5QVLBYMZTBUY47Z5ZYRJJQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"SZR4O5D3SFCUBGJPHPEBAK2H2I"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ID2KSA6BD5GQ3H5ILQUESI747E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500695},"content":"“I sort of liken it to when Northern Ireland went through the peace process. Catholics weren’t happy, Protestants weren’t happy, but it brought peace and then you just sort of learn to live with whatever has been negotiated.” <b>Rory McIlroy reckoning that a Good Friday agreement is needed to resolve the LIV v PGA war.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"4PBWKJK6HJCFZOYMUCFYZNFGYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500697},"content":"“Bristol Rovers Football Club would like to apologise for any offence caused by an error in wording in a recent communication. No harmful intention of meaning was ever intended.” <b>That “error”? “We will provide all disabled fans with free electronic ticket cards upon request. As for normal fans and older fans, they can purchase the card for £15.” Oh my.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"7R5BH7LYTJHZJNRDUNZZ6WYIUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500699},"content":"“He’s an intellectual earthquake that transforms itself into this athletic majesty. It’s not bomb and gouge, it’s laser-guided missiles that you’re watching here.” <b>Brandel Chamblee swooning, as only Brandel Chamblee can, over Bryson DeChambeau’s opening round of 65 at the Masters. The missiles were misdirected thereafter, DeChambeau finishing nine shots behind winner Scottie Scheffler.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"3MZIPARJGRBPRMLB4K3VC3JNV4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500701},"content":"May","type":"header"},{"_id":"W3LUFJ2C4GGQ2YOWVODL5OSVNA","additional_properties":{"_id":"TTCPVJ3KONF6JBY5HCTOHWT4W4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"K4BENKEC2JA7TBIG7DXP6O22FM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500702},"content":"“We’re going in full guns blazing.” <b>An unfortunate enough turn of phrase from Northampton Saints’ Tommy Freeman ahead of the Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster in Croke Park, just after he and his team-mates were told about the stadium’s history.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"44EGDGSVLRGKRM7Q67ZM6BNDXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500704},"content":"“Bruce had to be played, I suppose. They had to dance in the dark up here for a couple of days but the pitch was the one to suffer.” <b>Wexford manager Keith Rossiter none too impressed with the state of the Nowlan Park surface a couple of weeks after senior hurler Springsteen played on it.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q5PLJKY3VRGE5LJHXKKO53F5VA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500706},"content":"“Clearly, there is something rotten in Irish rugby for its finest ambassadors to bend the knee whether at international level or in the Champions Cup. There is no question here of shooting at the ambulance. We greatly sympathise with Leo Cullen and his kids.” <b>French newspaper Midi Olympique offering a, eh, heartfelt hug to Leinster after that Champions Cup final defeat by Toulouse.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WWZPMTJQGNGVNAPD7ENY5ALEAQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500708},"content":"“I was pretty rattled to say the least. I was shaking the whole time. It was definitely a new feeling for me.” <b>Scottie Scheffler on that bizarre moment he was handcuffed and arrested outside Valhalla Golf Club ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship. He had mistakenly tried to drive past a police stop following an accident that resulted in the death of a spectator.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DBZIHCR4INGERNYH4R5FUY7N6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500710},"content":"June","type":"header"},{"_id":"HOVU7N57IREVXMZ3EATFREQEUE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500711},"content":"“I went out on that track today super nervous but with a plan and a mission and that was to hear Amhrán na bhFiann. When I was getting boxed in I thought I had nowhere to go, but I didn’t grow up playing camogie to get boxed in.” <b>Ciara Mageean doffing her cap to her first sporting love for helping her battle her way to European Championship gold in the 1500m.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"CITCKLFED5E6HIOHUAEXJHO6NU","additional_properties":{"_id":"6TUG4RZ55VHD5ATNMXQ35T6K64"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6VKCSB65PRBENL5XNI2BHS6RX4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500713},"content":"“The Picasso of the radio.” <b>Tomás Ó Sé's tribute to Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh who died at the age of 93 in June.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"XAM2H2HQLRF7ZBVJYB3V5Y4HMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500715},"content":"“If it was an old dog, the GAA would be telling us that good old hurling was being taken to live on a lovely farm in the country, while texting the local vet about having it put to sleep.” <b>How happy was Dónal Óg Cusack with the GAA’s promotion of his beloved game? Not a lot.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"HBSSMOWJ55HHVP7UFWCXVQO554","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500717},"content":"“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer. But I’ve shown my resilience over and over again and I will again.” <b>Rory McIlroy on that crushing conclusion to the US Open, three bogeys in his final four holes handing the title to Bryson DeChambeau.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WKIOT73JRFE4DE55R7BBM6WJ4U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500719},"content":"July","type":"header"},{"_id":"MKRI45KNZJCRBGOGVHZE4JCVXU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500720},"content":"“It’s nearly destroying it talking about it, we should just shut up and watch.” <b>Dónal Óg Cusack calling for silence from the RTÉ panel so they could just quietly marvel at Tony Kelly’s other-worldly All Ireland final goal for Clare.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KQKABSSXLBGKTOLK63U22TWTMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500722},"content":"“What can I say? We’re All-Ireland champions and Olympic gold medallists – what a great county!” <b>Daniel Wiffen on Armagh striking gold twice in the space of three days thanks to himself and their footballers.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IYILG65UKVG3XOID32HNPMH4RI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500724},"content":"“I’d rather ate cowshite. Don’t let him near the place.” <b>Former Galway goalkeeper James Skehill somewhat ruling out working with Davy Fitzgerald if Fitzgerald was appointed boss of his county. (He wasn’t, he took over Antrim instead).</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"75NAMY4RAXU2VVZIUMGSHVMJLA","additional_properties":{"_id":"3HDPPMFF3VCO5MWSMCSKOXGXJQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"XXRGTRMUBVBHZFDGUVP2NECSGU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500726},"content":"“My brother texted me and said, ‘if 14-year-old Kellie had thought she’d be here now she probably never would have believed it’. I forwarded the message to my mam. She said, “No, you’re right, you were a little shit back then! Still a little shit now but you have two Olympic medals!’ <b>Kellie Harrington on her loving messages from home after guaranteeing herself at least a bronze in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FLR3EELDGRARDCIVBV5NASTHEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500728},"content":"“Days like this felt a very long way away. I started crying on the podium, it’s just unbelievable, it’s the pinnacle of sport to have all your hard work pay off in something like this.” <b>Mona McSharry on her bronze in the Olympic 100m breaststroke final, not even her goggles filling up with water could thwart her.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ECZBYYRMCBC7RPVMKO63MHMGWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500730},"content":"August","type":"header"},{"_id":"4VFRHXBLGZDWVNM5OYLBZETWLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500731},"content":"“It feels like a dream, but it’s a dream well earned. If I fell on my bum today, I still would have loved this journey, every second of it. But I didn’t and today I’m walking away with an Olympic gold medal.” <b>Rhys McClenaghan on his golden day in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"R6U7HGITEVC47N6PEIU3VLO3QU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500733},"content":"“The first impression is that they are really good team players, really good characters… maybe a little bit too nice. Sometimes you need a bastard in your team. I am looking for him. Maybe we can develop him.” <b>New Republic of Ireland gaffer Heimir Hallgrímsson on the hunt for a ruffian in green.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MCEA264IB5DPJPHYKBPVM7PDCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500735},"content":"“It was really hard because we couldn’t really focus on the race. We had to focus on not swallowing water. I saw some brown things…. I hope it’s not what I thought it was.” <b>Hungarian marathon swimmer Bettina Fabian on the joys of taking to the Seine at the Olympics.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"N2FJPDQT7NAVJAEIBOCZVD36WI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500737},"content":"“That’s it, done, dusted, there are no more mountains to climb. I’ve nothing more to prove, not even to myself, which is the most important thing. The next chapter is going to be my life chapter.” <b>Kellie Harrington signing out in some style, as a two-time Olympic champion.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NGIOIAGK3JGJLNISWXCGSIFBVA","additional_properties":{"_id":"JIQYMFB2AFE23EXG6URNHNYN4A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"EHSIU2ENLZCSNF2WOGYZ4FGIWU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500739},"content":"“Seventh? Yeah, something like that. But I think I was dragged along by other people for most of them.” <b>Boastful as ever, Paul O’Donovan loses count of how many World Championship golds he’s won – it was number seven in Canada along with Fintan McCarthy, just three weeks after he became the first Irish athlete to medal in three successive Olympics.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULRTTU76T5F2NGD5HRVRKLNSEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500741},"content":"September","type":"header"},{"_id":"XPOZMGNMCJDXLA6466SNYDDDQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500742},"content":"“I had a little cry in the call room. It’s a really emotional day, this is coming to an end. Winnie the Pooh said it best when he said, ‘how lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard’.” <b>Ellen Keane on ending a sparkling swimming career at the Paralympics in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JPPJH77NJX7D5MB3YJ3D7U2TZE","additional_properties":{"_id":"K7TWUHM5KZANZEI4JXLMVDHQ3Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AIV27MRA5JCEFLVDTVCRQ56A4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500744},"content":"“Lee Carsley needs to zone out of his Irish republicanism and learn to sing God Save the King. Otherwise, no one will believe he cares about the England team he wishes to lead.” <b>Renowned football pundit Jacob Rees-Mogg getting hot under the collar after Carsley, 2024′s Wolfe Tone and England’s interim coach, revealed that he’s not an anthem singer.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G2UUONRMTZHTBDVXCPOYMYRRHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500746},"content":"“Why didn’t you win the gold?” <b>Rower Daire Lynch, who won Olympic bronze with Philip Lynch, on the first question he was asked by youngsters on his tour of his native Clonmel’s schools. Harsh.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZJ7TQAZZZFA3VOLC3GKLLNAGHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500748},"content":"“I couldn’t work out whether Ireland are more similar to Andorra, San Marino or the Faroe Islands.” T<b>ony Cascarino a touch unimpressed by Ireland in their 2-0 defeat by England in Dublin. To be honest, he probably ended up offending Andorra, San Marino and the Faroe Islands.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"PK774ZLTLRCSBKR3JTNXC56OPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500750},"content":"October","type":"header"},{"_id":"I3Z2NTMN7JH4HLTPQEYSCFUWTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500751},"content":"“This is a guy that was all man. When he took showers with the other pros, they came out of there and said, ‘oh my God, that’s unbelievable!’” <b>Donald Trump telling his supporters at a rally in Arnold Palmer’s Pennsylvania home town about the magnitude of the late golfer’s, em, manhood. Why? No clue.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FN7V4DT2U5BRNKAPAYNHWFHD44","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500753},"content":"“How can a foreigner urge Englishmen to do or die on football’s battlefield…. rouse the troops like King Henry V when he implored his men: ‘On, on unto the breach dear friends or let close the wall up with our English dead.’ This is a dark day for English football.” <b>The Daily Mail’s Jeff Powell welcoming the appointment of German Thomas Tuchel as England gaffer.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"VFSSPZLWSJGPRDCPLPPNL2LY3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500755},"content":"“My maths wouldn’t be great, so I was struggling to figure out what the score was.” <b>Man of the match Rian O’Neill admitting that he had no clue whether Ulster were winning or losing to Connacht in the final of the interprovincial series thanks to the rule-tweaking two-point arc and four-point goal.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QU7R4EKK5SKCTFQT4ZVHUDIVBY","additional_properties":{"_id":"NXQKIDCIR5AVHJUBNQ7YUVE3PI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZDJKX25XDRAZRHUDO3IW2CJE24","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500757},"content":"“My conker was obliterated in one hit, and that just doesn’t happen – I’m suspicious of foul play.” <b>Alastair Johnson-Ferguson suggesting that 82-year-old David ‘King Conker’ Jakins might have used a steel nut to win their World Championships final. Jakins was indeed found with one in his pocket, but happily he was cleared of actually using it to obliterate anyone’s nut.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BLLOB3DSGBHPHCERQGDQYJHZAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500759},"content":"“I’ve had many challenges growing up, I think that just made me very resilient. A broken collarbone and illness? I was like, ‘oh, I’ve gone through much worse than this’. When you stand on that top step of the podium, you forget about all the bad times, they just melt away.” <b>Katie-George Dunlevy reflecting on a September that saw her win … deep breath… Paralympic gold with Linda Kelly, Paralympic silvers with Kelly and Eve McCrystal, and two World Championship golds with Kelly.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EA2VBIZ4XRGSTMZWV2P2VB6D6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500761},"content":"November","type":"header"},{"_id":"4RO3GRGMDNBNPN4E6HAIJA4QCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500762},"content":"“It is amazing, a letter addressed to “Pat the b******s, County Kerry” posted in Armagh arrived in the door. It just goes to show how good the postal service is in Ireland.” <b>Pat Spillane saluting his postman for somehow delivering a love letter from up north.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BY2PEG5KQNASNJJJ6ZHFFYSBLY","additional_properties":{"_id":"2QKZGCRB35EJPPLDSNTOFK3WRE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VBHGFM7KOVF7DOBFFU4UIXDKTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500764},"content":"“Congratulations to Katie Taylor. Tempers are flared when you’re in the heat of battle and you say things you shouldn’t say. She and I are cool outside the ring and the best dance partners in it. Whenever our teams can agree on a trilogy, I’ll be ready.” <b>Amanda Serrano withdrawing her allegation that Taylor intentionally head-butted her during their fight for the ages in Texas. Round three coming up?</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PQKSPC54FHSTPXBJDZJ3BPSYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500766},"content":"“He has a Boost, a meal deal, a curry and a couple of those little half pink and half white sweets – Squashies – and he walks up there and smashes me like that. This boy is a joke. He is absolutely awesome.” <b>Martin Lukeman on the darts sensation that is Luke Littler after the 17-year-old beat him 16-3 in the Grand Slam of Darts final.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"R5WWLF2UZFA7VENUUQEFYLW3WE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500768},"content":"“It’s not done and dusted yet. Things can change very quickly in the Keane household, let me tell you.” R<b>oy Keane on being asked about his “future son-in-law” Taylor Harwood-Bellis after he scored against Ireland on his debut in England’s 5-0 win at Wembley.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBBKGY3ZI5E2BNWXVW4BC3AVFU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500770},"content":"December","type":"header"},{"_id":"L6HBXQPBKJFBTIJ5ZF2L4M7M24","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500771},"content":"“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but Leinster are up there with the National Children’s Hospital for returns on investment – no one has seen anything.” <b>Donncha O’Callaghan being a touch naughty about Leinster’s European woes.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KZB2PFJMBVD6PBMWNIQOMTUJZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500773},"content":"“Dessie has always been like a second father to me. It’s like breaking up with someone. There were two days of tears. There was a week of carnage. The dust is settled now. Life moves on and the world spins, and you’re out.” <b>Dublin legend Brian Fenton on breaking the news to manager Dessie Farrell that he was retiring from intercounty football.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DFLRN5BM2FIR7Y56UDJJ5NG7OU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZWH25BXQVRHQLNH3WT26UKQ7H4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HO3CXD3YV5FQNPT43OQW7LXPNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500775},"content":"“I remember when teams started warming up on the field before a match and Willie Duggan turned around to me and said, ‘listen, I can do the warm-up or I can play the match, but I couldn’t do both’. It’s come a long way.” <b>Donal Lenihan on rugby before all this training intensity lark.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"X5FW3ZXF25DXLNJUP3ZAV5PGTQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500777},"content":"“I drove here with my dad beside me and he kept looking down at me with no trousers on. Mam was in the back with the needle and thread.” <b>Damien Duff completing a memorable year by splitting his pants en route to the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers awards where he won the Personality of the Year gong. Mercifully, his Mam had mended them by the time he took to the stage.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The winning quotes of the year in sport"},"display_date":"2024-12-28T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"The year in sports quotes: The wit and wisdom - from Damien Duff to Daniel Wiffen, Kellie Harrington to Rory McIlroy","native":"The year in sports quotes: 'I wish it was my wife leaving me and not Jurgen'"},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"DA4ZQGRCJKYZYEYL3D2LJL3XSU","auth":{"1":"801519a89ae0021fbd58aacd87d7db63523e392a7aca59af3670df8f27529ff0"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/DA4ZQGRCJKYZYEYL3D2LJL3XSU.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/12/28/sports-speak-2024-the-wit-and-wisdom-from-damian-duff-to-daniel-wiffen-kellie-harrington-to-rory-mcilroy/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/soccer","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Soccer"}}}},{"_id":"BT2Y52F465ADNLYZF65OWCPTRQ","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":464,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/97785bfe-3dbe-400b-a5b0-d748dd018b8f/versions/1734973228/media/75985a8960081d6f9f0a09d3466626b9_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/26/four-of-irelands-top-five-most-admired-sports-people-2024-are-women/","content_elements":[{"_id":"OEH2J7WYDBBNTIXI6NBRCRHQ44","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082414},"content":"This year delivered incredible performances across the board in Irish sport, but it was our female athletes in particular who provided so many of the standout moments and achievements.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PYMSEIEQYBEYDER55YVM6FSJ2Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082415},"content":"Significant history was made over the past 12 months. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a> was the first Irish woman athlete to win back-to-back gold medals at <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic Games</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> was the first Irish woman to make an Olympic sprint final, claiming an incredible fourth place. Ireland’s 4 x 400m relay team obliterated their national record to claim silver in the European Championships in June, qualify for the Olympic final and claim fourth place there. Incredible, inspiring performances – which have come to be expected by the Irish public.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2S4E5ONOFFCVHDTIKRWLZQZBBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082416},"content":"These performances, and many more, have been clearly recognised in the annual <a href=\"https://sportforbusiness.com/team-ireland-and-katie-taylor-top-teneo-public-survey-2024/#:~:text=The%20TSSI%20is%20a%20comprehensive,sport%20and%20their%20sporting%20heroes.\" target=\"_blank\">Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index</a> (TSSI). This 1,000-person, nationally representative piece of research has been exploring Irish people’s attitudes towards sport and sponsorship for 15 years and has had a particular focus on women’s sport since 2018.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EXNQ3S2BTBACZAKTOU5QSYKMPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082417},"content":"Women athletes claim four of the top five spots when it comes to our “most admired” athletes in 2024. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a>’s dominance at the top continues; she occupies the number one spot for the eighth year in a row, having garnered 15 per cent of the vote.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GUNYPF4CRBFRNFXLHPSJ7FYHLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082418},"content":"The person who looks most likely to topple her in the coming years is Adaleke, who is Ireland’s second most admired athlete (11 per cent) followed closely by Harrington (10 per cent). Adaleke is a new entry to the top five, and with the most votes from 18-24 year-olds, her popularity is clearly on the rise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3LPYW7YS5BFSRNJDLKEHM53ZZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"VJ6TO4ECSFGNDGTFHNEEZMNC3Q"},"content":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"HUJMK5LMTVBWPFSMSQ2N6UODYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082419},"content":"Rachael Blackmore continues to make her mark; she is in fifth place, on 5 per cent of the vote. These athletes’ performances over the last 12 months have been world class, regardless of their gender, and Irish people recognise this.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKFQUFXVJJGJVDN5DGHI4JU2YA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082420},"content":"Appreciation for our female athletes because of their sporting achievements is also evident in other areas. Katie McCabe (3 per cent) is our most admired footballer, with Evan Ferguson following her closely on 2 per cent, while Leona Maguire is Ireland’s joint-second favourite golfer with Shane Lowry (2 per cent) – our favourite being Rory McIlroy (3 per cent).","type":"text"},{"_id":"5C4QDYYDNRC55AEZL5Y4O6XW2U","additional_properties":{"_id":"BRS3CUSOLFDDNOWXK35CBZPGAY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"4BXCPARIIZFW3OXIAC2OT3ACTI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082421},"content":"When looking at Team of the Year, the Irish Women’s 4 x 400m relay team were voted third favourite (14 per cent) and the Irish women’s rugby team were recognised in fifth place following their qualification for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and famous win over New Zealand.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UJDQ24ZA6BBL3ADMHK2EPEYC6E","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082422},"content":"These results show that Irish people recognise and admire sportspeople for their achievements, and these achievements in 2024 certainly have a female bias.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NMVVGCBGTNC7VOMZJRJI6FTKEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082423},"content":"Media and attendance","type":"header"},{"_id":"PIUYF5INZNCVRJQO53I6P2XULM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082424},"content":"These athletes have commanded significant media coverage for their performances, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games dominating both the news and sports-news cycles for much of the summer. RTÉ figures show that the most viewed Olympic events were the finals that included Kellie Harrington, with a peak of 1.4 million viewers, and Rhasidat Adeleke, with a peak viewership of 926,000.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7OKW6X5P7CMFEYBO7WO2DWI4CU","additional_properties":{"_id":"TVE3EXEMW5GBBOCV3PNDVQ6U2E"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PXGSPJOWBRBZNC3POZ4IKCCGVU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082425},"content":"Even with these significant viewership figures, the number of those who said they watched a female sporting event either on TV or online has remained fairly static year-on-year, with 55 per cent saying they did so in 2024, a slight decrease on 2023, which was at 59 per cent.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GH3CGD4YVVB6BFUWO57S3VKGUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082426},"content":"A concern consistently raised by Irish people is around sports coverage, with only 43 per cent saying women’s sport received sufficient media coverage in 2024, although three-quarters say that both the quality and volume has improved in the past 12 months. It is an area that needs constant monitoring and awareness, but things are going in the right direction.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z5QE2AL7BBFENDH7VNZJKQ4ILQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082427},"content":"When it comes to attending in person, again the numbers are much the same year-on-year – this time last year almost a quarter of people said they intended to go to a women’s sports event in person while the reality was that 16 per cent of people did. This jumps to 24 per cent for those aged 35-44, which is the cohort who attended female sports events the most, and by a significant margin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A7W4Y7N6V5DSHN3BZHL6GXYAXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082428},"content":"We have seen major women’s sports events incorporate other types of entertainment to enhance the product – Tom Grennan performing at the AIG Women’s Open being a good example of this. But, when the question was asked about what else would encourage Irish people to attend a women’s sports event one in three, which was the majority, said they wanted to attend “only for the sport”. Discounted ticket prices, which we can see in the likes of the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States, would add extra motivation to one in four people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XC5645CLHFGSTFVTXCNAY5W32I","additional_properties":{"_id":"WRQCTZXIIVA57LGXKWUVSDZCBI"},"content":"The top 25 women’s sporting moments of the year: top spot revealed with Katie Taylor, Rhasidat Adeleke and Kellie Harrington featuring","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"F3AZPK4BNNH7REA5FFW22VBPA4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082429},"content":"Another clear sign to me of the progress being made regarding women’s sport is the Women’s Uefa European Championships being in the top five events that Irish people are most looking forward to next year, even though we aren’t competing in it. This again shows that Irish sports fans appreciate and recognise high performance sport, regardless of the gender.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RSRF44CJUVDD7AADBA6CBRSOS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082430},"content":"Gender balance in leadership","type":"header"},{"_id":"AGSJHPEOVZA4RGDS5RPSAPLXIM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082431},"content":"Those at the top of their game are making a significant mark; breaking boundaries and inspiring generations of boys and girls. A significant amount of work has been put in, particularly by organisations such as Sport Ireland, to ensure these athletes have the right environments and resources to excel. But what about those leading the various sports in Ireland?","type":"text"},{"_id":"HS2GM3JLMJG5ZJMVV5G7VM34EQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082432},"content":"Sport Ireland achieved a significant objective in 2024 with the overall percentage of women on boards in the Irish sports sector standing at 48 per cent in December. While this demonstrates that Sport Ireland and the Government’s approach has worked, the next important step will be maintaining this level into the future.","type":"text"},{"_id":"62CBBBJQJVHKVNKBXZZAEEHLYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082433},"content":"In order to do this I believe it is important that women put themselves forward for voluntary positions at grassroots level so that they can progress through the boards, committees and systems which ultimately lead to leadership positions at provincial and national levels.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PP4CGF6V5VCZBBPKKSHQM5JAUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082434},"content":"As it stands our research shows that currently only 16 per cent of women volunteer, compared to almost a quarter of men. This figure needs to change if we are to maintain the ambition of meaningful gender balance on boards at a national level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZFHZTO7HKFBTRNQHCNKVXPKSB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082435},"content":"The primary motivations for women volunteering are to support their club in its development and growth (54 per cent), to give back to their community (48 per cent) and because their children are involved (43 per cent). It is imperative that those who are volunteering because of their children are motivated to stay on even when their children have graduated.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PPRTFYGDCVAQBFKAU56TKFIRGE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082436},"content":"Our elite athletes and their outstanding performances on the world stage in 2024 have had a large impact on Irish sport, not just Irish female sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZYBEEPD4LNF27KFH546ADUBJ7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082437},"content":"Attendance at and media coverage of women’s sporting events continue to need attention but with the Irish system producing world-class athletes there is no doubt that these areas will change for the better.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MVA7CM6WEFEU3MM52WYZB77I2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082438},"content":"This, coupled with gender balance in leadership of our sports organisations, means that women’s sport in Ireland is on solid ground and the future for all involved and those they are inspiring is very exciting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Kelli O'Keeffe"}]},"description":{"basic":"Survey shows big performances mark major milestones in a historic year for women in Irish sport"},"display_date":"2024-12-26T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Four of Ireland’s top five most admired sports people in 2024 are women","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"IDQX2YMNI5GQCQRS3AAMZYGC64","auth":{"1":"9850d1433a0fe2a6c6b5516f4057a180d28aebddb0c54ad7f71d2390da8b607c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IDQX2YMNI5GQCQRS3AAMZYGC64.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic 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into his whereabouts failures for which he was already suspended for two years earlier this year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7WXVCFZXL5GVHPUW4AO2MF4PHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254361},"content":"Katir had admitted to three whereabouts failures during 2023.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HVEHBKA7BFCM5KZ5EFDYZT3HHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254362},"content":"Under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s “whereabouts” rule, all athletes must make themselves available to drug testers for one hour a day for out-of-competition testing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AS35QUDIMZB3RO7VS3G6SVN67Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254363},"content":"Under the World Athletics anti-doping rules, three whereabouts failures within 12 months result in a rule violation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HL6GXLSCOZFQ3AEAPFZT5SMZT4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254364},"content":"The 26-year-old, who won the silver medal in the 5,000m at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/world-athletics-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">World Athletics Championships </a>last year, will serve both bans concurrently, extending his ineligibility to compete until February 2028.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PYCYRGDSIBGZDNOO6KQ5YRVLR4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254365},"content":"“Katir ... was found to have falsified travel documents [namely a travel itinerary, boarding pass and booking confirmation] in an attempt to mislead investigators,” said the AIU.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VCNFOXLDKNEXHGR6DGWIZH6FJA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254366},"content":"However, the disciplinary tribunal that ruled in the case denied the AIU’s request to have Katir’s results disqualified from March 9th, 2023, because he had not benefited from a competitive advantage, the statement added.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FXHHAODQS5BRHIZZD5Z5DWD53I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254367},"content":"“The vast majority of our elite athletes respect the strict rules and processes of the sport and they should take heart at the action being taken to ensure a level playing field,” said AIU chief Brett Clothier. — Reuters","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"Winner of silver medal in 5,000m at World Athletics Championships last year to serve both bans concurrently"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T19:00:22.242Z","headlines":{"basic":"Four-year ban for Mohamed Katir after falsifying papers in whereabouts-failure 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journey through the past year, especially, has been hugely satisfying for so many of Ireland’s elite sportswomen and the final few steps – fittingly enough, climbing red-carpeted steps into the Shelbourne Hotel in the heart of Dublin city – had that sort of glitz and glamour far removed from the punishing training regimes of blood, sweat and tears that brought many such honour.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VE4X4TMHMFGGVIUBGL3QH4GPOM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199713},"content":"So it was that those on their final Friday of Christmas shopping or preparing for a long lunch or later nights stopped and stared. Mobile cameras were raised. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie</a>. Ciara. Mona. Louise. First names that have found a way into the heart and soul of Irish sporting life through their deeds in the ring, on the track, in the pool, on the pitch. Fingers pointing at them, shouts of recognition from women and men, girls and boys stopped in tracks.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2BSNHXKJLFGLTJONTU5IT5KXLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199714},"content":"The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Awards were celebrating a 20th year since its inspired conception and the mood inside the old ballroom of the hotel was festive and celebratory with those honoured rightly enjoying their moments, a time to acknowledge and be acknowledged with mutual respect from one sportswoman to another.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EAHJ6KQJF5ECJHDNYGUMXEOOQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199715},"content":"“The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled, there is greatness everywhere,” is how Master of Ceremonies Des Cahill of RTÉ informed one and all of those present.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YFPSXHHPZZFLHMTGUMWNHNNZNE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199716},"content":"Some, unfortunately, couldn’t make it. But there were good reasons. Swimmer <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/roisin-ni-riain/\" target=\"_blank\">Róisín Ní Riain</a>, the double medallist at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paralympics</a>, had a college exam. Sevens rugby player Lucy Mulhall is on honeymoon. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a> was unable to attend. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> was away with her sister Latifah.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RK7PPOED2PZTJ4RVG6PPDAC6QQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"QG3GW5KDBJCJDBX63VPCUPIMME"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZCTORDJOLFHYXIAVOFBIXMYFQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199717},"content":"But Rhasidat’s mother, an emotional Ade, stole the show in accepting the monthly award for May on behalf of her daughter and of her pride, while revealing the heartache of seeing her daughter come so close – fourth – to a medal at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/Paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympics</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULQZXTAK4ZFCJKH44GPQKSB7Y4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199718},"content":"“Can you feel the love?” Des asked her.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GRSZZHPOQ5CSLBBQYM6LGJ5MKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199719},"content":"“I know,” she replied, the tears coming.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6GKSYUC4FDP3EV222GNXIWYRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199720},"content":"“I’m sorry, I don’t have a tissue,” whispered Des.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BVX7UD7X35G57MMZECQZ5DM7RI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199721},"content":"Silence, though, was a rare commodity on the day that was in it with Olympic double medallist Kellie Harrington showing the way in whooping and hollering as European 1,500 metres champion <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a> was called to collect her June award for her magnificent victory in Rome.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPT5IX5OURH5LCZSBG32ANGP5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"JLUKWD6ERJAQ3JHJWMI7KP7YEM"},"content":"Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"U2ULH525ONEUDLA2HMOICL3YXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199722},"content":"Ciara was one of the very few who hadn’t donned high heels. Having undergone surgery on her ankle three months ago, the more comfortable – and sensible – option of trainers were the Co Down star’s choice of footwear.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6KTHEXA2MZFEBPILSBHFMSC5EI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199723},"content":"First things first, however, Ciara – following Ade to the stage – spoke through the crowds and the round tables to Rhasidat’s mother.","type":"text"},{"_id":"23H6SZXBVFC33FBEX7MKYX3HNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199724},"content":"“I can sit here as a 32-year-old athlete and say that Rhadisat is so young and we all know the future that she has in the sport, it is so bright so I know that even when my spikes are hung up I am going to be watching her bringing medals home,” said Mageean, to widespread roars of approval from those gathered.","type":"text"},{"_id":"G3C6LCKWENEIZGFFVEUDIASVHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199725},"content":"Of her own moment of glory in Rome, Mageean – who seems to have a smile permanently fixed to her face (unless, as Des reminded us, she’s pitchside at a hurling match!), revealed that it’s not all glamour. She’d to go for a drug test post-final and by the time she got out to her family the celebrations involved “cold pizza and a can of coke.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NO4CLR4J2YFZPPX4G4EIU4JR6I","additional_properties":{"_id":"IHMNYCN5YZHN5LXIYRUGEMRXWE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BAC6PKGAABBBXLBEZDTBNMUB4Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199726},"content":"Mageean has moved back home to Ireland and has no plans to hang up the spikes just yet, as she revealed: “I am looking forward to this next chapter on Irish soil. I have my eyes firmly set on getting ready for the World Championships in the summer and another four year cycle towards LA (for the 2028 Olympics).”","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6ZSHMO2ZFBCXFMSFJTVNMT34U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199727},"content":"Katie Taylor couldn’t make it but another Katie – the legendary <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> – certainly was, in a year of years where she overcame a shattered shoulder blade to recover and win Paralympic and World gold medals in taking the award for September. If that was a great year, it was made even better in being named along with her pilots Linda Kelly and Eve McCrystal as the recipients of the Team of the Year award.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BULCGU3XDBFJFOOM3OLEE7FBDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199728},"content":"The broad range of sportswomen excelling on the international stage is, surely, quite extraordinary. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rachael-blackmore/\" target=\"_blank\">Rachael Blackmore</a>’s win in the Champions Chase at Cheltenham – her mother Eimir revealed she’d gone to the restrooms and put on the hand drier so she couldn’t hear the race, only emerging for the final few fences – added to her great career CV, while Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh’s brilliance in the Kerry jersey in leading her side to the All-Ireland title after 31 years was celebrated in her August award.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4KMXIWN65VHRLOGJ62Z5RDOQ5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199729},"content":"“Gorta mór,” said Louise of the time away from the Brendan Martin Cup.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FMUMQL3EQJEBPK5547JHZGUM44","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199730},"content":"This, for sure, was another celebration of Irish sportswomen where, it seems, the bar is raised ever higher each year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C72HGQKSS5CHDPUYTD7A6BW2PQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199731},"content":"And in accepting her award as the Sportswoman of the Year, Harrington, another with a tear in her eye, had a special word for all of the mammies of Ireland. “Win, lose or draw, just keep on doing what you are doing (in encouraging daughters to achieve in sport) ... because it’s great!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Philip Reid"}},"name":"Philip Reid"}]},"description":{"basic":"Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2024"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T18:03:06.099Z","headlines":{"basic":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"SSSW3LZ77BC3ZLSQ3WEWCGHWII","auth":{"1":"92ba5d2de7376199be3b6c4e82d180c82c3403294597350d54e3eb4d80419e5b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SSSW3LZ77BC3ZLSQ3WEWCGHWII.JPG"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/irish-times-sportswoman-of-the-year-awards-the-greatest-collection-of-women-in-irish-sport-in-one-place-ever-assembled/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"56EDKMB2IFG27BAV7NAIQY5YGM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":272,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/370675ba-4460-40f1-8019-ac01fc1a5cfd/versions/1734719946/media/32643e5ff13f768115172dd215c1a87e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/two-time-olympic-champion-kellie-harrington-named-irish-timessport-ireland-sportswoman-of-the-year-2024/","content_elements":[{"_id":"BTMNICXND5HEPLHQ4L65TCKRBY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Right to the very end of the year, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a> still had them out of their seats – this time after she was named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2024.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QIO2L7TILZA45OXPUQH7ELTE4I","additional_properties":{},"content":"When <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a> walked up to accept her monthly award an hour earlier, Harrington roared from the table, ‘Go Ciara.’ Game recognising game. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"IXSLN7OP3RFS3MRYRFTAUCWEDA","additional_properties":{},"content":"But who has had more game than Harrington in 2024? When she was announced as the overall winner those in the function room of The Shelbourne Hotel rose simultaneously.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MPU54ISDYVD4FDDVYP7MNS4DJE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mageean, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/mona-mcsharry/\" target=\"_blank\">Mona McSharry</a>, Sonia O’Sullivan, the great and the good. All spontaneously out of their chairs. Harrington is adjusting to life as a former boxer these days, but double <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic</a> champions don’t bow out unnoticed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VENCJ46V2NCIPHAACVDW7AKEIQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the lobby afterwards, one of the first people over for a photo was <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a>’s mam, Adewumi Ademola. They enveloped each other in a long, warm embrace beforehand. Others followed. Her achievements in Tokyo and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris</a> have set her apart. This is who Harrington is now, and forever will be, the Irish boxer who retained her Olympic gold medal. Unprecedented stuff.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YQZECB3RZVAMHINBTQWLQUTYHE","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Team of the Year award was won by Paralympic cyclists <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/linda-kelly/\" target=\"_blank\">Linda Kelly</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/eve-mccrystal/\" target=\"_blank\">Eve McCrystal</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UXP7HZ3FOY25SBWG7YM6RZMGUU","additional_properties":{"_id":"3RJFWYWCMBCYZLA6VF6QD5JS4U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BK23FAJ43NBDNOC4S54LEAWXZY","additional_properties":{},"content":"For Harrington, it has been a challenge adjusting to life outside the bubble of being an athlete. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"5622IAOBSZGOZCR3MVQJWUFGAI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Part of that is probably because I am usually so focused on what’s next,” she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R7QCJ45ETBBZ3EGGHVOLEBQLEE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And now I just don’t know, I’m in limbo land – I don’t know what I’m doing, I don’t know where I’m going, I don’t know who I am, I don’t know anything. I’m just taking the rest of this year off to enjoy doing nothing, and it feels so strange. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"CYEVYPKKPJH47N4FWUGBTK5OFU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It really feels so strange to not have to get up and go training, not to have to check my weight every morning, not to try and think of what things I want to work on in training.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZY67UUW46BGGHOEDZUZEUTS5AY","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I would be constantly always thinking about stuff like that, thinking about how I can get better, what’s that one per cent that I can work on today. But now it’s like, ‘What am I going to have for my breakfast today – will I have porridge or will I have a fry?’ I definitely miss it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2LJWW5JJKFGOHMH3C7HVDO5AHA","additional_properties":{},"content":"But to help with the transition, she has kept her eye in – popping out to Abbottstown to train in the high-performance unit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ENWLLUXAK64PWGKOJIVWGZIRGA","additional_properties":{"_id":"3YKAN46LXZHOVJRDG4MXEZN63Q"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VNDA6VLBPRBO5KRLMTST2B3YDY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Zaur Anita has even suggested she join the team when they travel to China in February, to help prepare the boxers with some sparring. She might. But there is no grá within her to become a coach. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"2ENKSH2L4NGXHGR7TDIGVOKMSU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I don’t think that’s me. I think if I was to go to a coaching role I’d probably lose my cool. But I do think there is something there that I have to give back, but I just don’t think it’s in a coaching role, not to the extent that is in the high performance.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MH6NYGFWFBESXDSNR4WXHDCMY4","additional_properties":{},"content":"She recently moved back to Portland Row with her wife Mandy, buying a house just a quick shuffle away from Harrington’s childhood home. They’ll be hosting Christmas dinner this year. Life moving on, as it should.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BACGUGQIEVCEDDTXWLJ52WEHUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"QLTQWYVTVNGDDCODYGBCYYYRQA"},"content":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"TVIE6YRCYZCPPL5DKOBEZDLAB4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I feel this is a new chapter for the two of us.” ","type":"text"},{"_id":"AB7ORZ5ANJE5VKDFGDVLIUP37U","additional_properties":{},"content":"But sport will remain an important part of her life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZJ4AWFXYB5DFZDGHC3NDGJPIQU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Every woman or man who get up in the morning and are trying to do something in sport, they are already winning because somebody is looking up to them, it could be their niece, nephew, cousin, their next-door neighbours’ kids – somebody is looking up to them. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"A2VQPDR3HVEHLFWTE6SOKB2R5A","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Whether you are winning on the field or the pitch or whatever, you are winning at life and that’s the most important thing.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7IWQDPLEXNF5TGIVITVBUOXYCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"5TONMUAWZNBHLCUAAZDRZUP2AQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GIEH224W4VCANMMHF5SRZUBS3A","additional_properties":{},"content":"It’s that same perspective that will see Harrington pull the front door behind her on Christmas Day for a few hours and travel the short distance to Fairview Hospital to punch in for work. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"OIKCYSXY2BDBJMX4HAFOJQU25A","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"AQEVZ4ITGBDN7C3P6WDCIR4XPE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“In the past I used to have the ward and I used to have all the patients in the ward and it would be absolutely magical. On Christmas Day I would bring them all in presents and we’d open them together, I just used to love it,” she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ESI3NYPEI5FBDCPFIQ3O7GXLVI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Work is not the same at the moment because the hospital is bit by bit closing down, all the patients on my ward have been moved to nursing homes. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"YIQILTOU25HB3IFDC2IK5QOUDE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“They are going to build a new hospital, so I’m holding out hope that I will still be there when they do build the new hospital and we’ll go back to the way it was on the ward with the patients. It won’t be the same patients, but I’ll still give them all the love that I have.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FOK2ZEUVMFARDEBYGTQYTOHCPQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"As Kellie Harrington found out in The Shelbourne on Friday, the love flows both ways.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"Olympians, paralympians, All-Ireland winners and more celebrated at annual awards in Dublin"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T15:23:13.504Z","headlines":{"basic":"Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"3WGEYMS3OVGNLEGBX7B3YR62XU","auth":{"1":"5a314a12da2be568d0316df7f8b96d3ce69e0834443189433278ec8e237eda1d"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/3WGEYMS3OVGNLEGBX7B3YR62XU.jpeg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/two-time-olympic-champion-kellie-harrington-named-irish-timessport-ireland-sportswoman-of-the-year-2024/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"DQAELRV525FLNFNQ7AIDGQABSI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":414,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/7cb2f2fa-9f55-4de9-bd5d-985fd8082241/versions/1734626899/media/6902c2c6c0c1cf0733d1abab16df061a_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/sportswoman-awards-preview-celebration-of-womens-achievements-hits-its-20th-year/","content_elements":[{"_id":"VECWODI5UJBCVBJ7WAJJFNCXSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075243},"content":"When we launched the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sportswoman-of-the-year-award/\" target=\"_blank\">Sportswoman of the Year</a> awards back in 2004, it’s arguable that just two of the people on the list of monthly winners, Sonia O’Sullivan and Cora Staunton, were household names.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CIMZZXJB3JEHVK6JGC3H6MHKQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075244},"content":"Fast forward to 2024 and our list of contenders for the overall award doesn’t just feature names well known to us, it’s sprinkled with some of the biggest stars in Irish sport – among them <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rachael-blackmore/\" target=\"_blank\">Rachael Blackmore</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E233IJNLSBCHJK6FALWWNJJKSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075245},"content":"That is, of course, a measure of the depth of their achievements, all of them once again treating us to unforgettable moments through the year, but it is also a sign that they are finally receiving the recognition they deserve.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6QYH7LQQSVH2NJQBCLIKRRNN5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075246},"content":"And that was our chief hope back in 2004 when the awards got under way, that they would help shine a light on the largely underreported feats of our sportswomen.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZAVDG7TX6ZHI5LB5M22D57Z5LI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075247},"content":"A lot done, more to do, as they say, but there has, undeniably, been progress – and how could there not be when these women have produced some of the most memorable moments in Irish sport over the last two decades?","type":"text"},{"_id":"VA6RJAUPE5ATLGK5XDTNTOZLF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075248},"content":"It’s been a thrill and a pleasure for us to report on their feats, a scroll through our list of overall winners a reminder of just how many magical days they have given us – from Katie Taylor’s gold in London, to Rachael Blackmore’s Grand National triumph, to Fiona Coghlan captaining Ireland to a Grand Slam, to Kellie Harrington retaining her Olympic title. Days we’ll never forget.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RVZTYY6NORCATLFMIPSOP2XE3U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075249},"content":"In all, 147 sportswomen have won monthly awards through the years, and at least a dozen more deserved one in 2024, but such was the quality of the list of contenders, our judges were spoilt for choice.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QV7F42OHB5EVVITCLUWGKFCA54","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075250},"content":"Here’s to another 20 years of such excellence, and many more magical moments. We won’t be short of them, we can be sure. – <b>Noel O’Reilly, Sports Editor</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JX56IFAQ5FBWTIHNVH4JYBKJ7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075251},"content":"<b>Monthly Winners</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WUWEDV6HXBFWNPITNI7JL3GQHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739017},"content":"<b>December – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Fionnuala McCormack</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"YYSLDJLZ45AXNCYWJPXA2PFRMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739018},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NCJAXYVN3YQMOTINXHHQDEG64U","additional_properties":{"_id":"CBOHHTXE4VBJJMEQF5HTEN5UYI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PP3PX62OWRHEFEYFLXSYD2UHK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739019},"content":"It was in December of last year that McCormack became the first Irish woman to qualify for a fifth successive Olympic Games when she ran inside the required mark at the Valencia marathon. Before making history in Paris, McCormack finished just 18 seconds away from a medal at the European Cross Country Championships and ended her year by running the fastest marathon of her career.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGP3Z6ZUT5BRPGIA3VBELPBUF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739020},"content":"<b>January – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Lucy Mulhal</b>l</mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"6OZQAJZEHZBING35YV476HA7YA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739021},"content":"<b>Rugby</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"VXL647LOZ5FPXFIYXAVFVCZY3E","additional_properties":{"_id":"4PNATCWTNREQRLUDNTBEYYZLMM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HZE6VS6V3VBNBO7GO33WNJTGUU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739022},"content":"It was a memorable year for our Sevens side who made their Olympic debut in Paris where they reached the quarter-finals. But it was back in January that captain Lucy Mulhall led them to their first World Series gold medal when, after seeing off Britain in the semi-finals, they beat Australia in the final with the help of Mulhall’s player-of-the-match display.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HRRGHQITCNDKTBVR7HWUSUWIGI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739023},"content":"<b>February – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Mona McSharry</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"3PEKLH35QRAHFDDTH7PV6Z5GAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739024},"content":"<b>Swimming</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"M5BGHX4PGP4SKQBIQP4VFAVL3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"7CT4TJ52EZB4FKE3VD5VC2U5QM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"42QWYBMT7BHRVGF64W2M3NDZGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739025},"content":"Even before Mona McSharry became the second Irish swimmer to win an Olympic medal, her name was on our monthly list of winners. On returning from her strong performance at the World Aquatics Championships in February, she became the second woman in history to break the 56-seconds mark in a 100m breaststroke medley relay. Then came that magical moment in Paris when she took bronze in the 100m breaststroke.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z5P7IWBCH5FCRPQYAJFLMUFXXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739026},"content":"<b>March – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Rachael Blackmore</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"UM5QYKVPPVBIHH2UUDJJK4O4DE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739027},"content":"<b>Horse Racing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FC6LHF4CXH5GDV4AAJG7P4LIQU","additional_properties":{"_id":"BQLEJO7WNRF25CW7EZYG5CK25I"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"3YPKI3J34NDWZF7NJXUGFD5F5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739028},"content":"Cheltenham was already a special place for Blackmore, but in March she had yet another day to remember there when she won the Champion Chase on Henry De Bromhead’s Captain Guinness. Having already won the Gold Cup and two Champion Hurdles, that completed the Festival’s Triple Crown for the brilliant Tipperary jockey.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HNWSFHCYJ5GPLEWQUMPQDJGRZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739029},"content":"<b>April – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Róisín Ní Riain</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"M73JSM2JGBH7JI4B7TQ6M62OEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739030},"content":"<b>Swimming</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NPDBQJIVZPNSJ6C7NMW5KXQPVE","additional_properties":{"_id":"N27J5P3VVRFTRHHCTP3H2FT4AA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"NHOZF4I2MJAHBFK5SDWPMTO4PI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739031},"content":"Another of our monthly winners who excelled before Paris came around, Ní Riain returned from the European Para Swimming Championships in Portugal in April laden with five medals, among them two golds. And the Limerick teenager completed an outstanding year by winning silver and bronze at the Paralympics, in the 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IO62J7XGJVEYTEGY36KO4W5M5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739032},"content":"<b>May – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Rhasidat Adeleke</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"Q2GOJ4WKDVAITMYJMTSY2DH3RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739033},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MFBRF6KPKO6XHVLWPVH2LUSMJU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZRLAVJQPONGKHCYZOUJRUZT3JE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"47TNCO25DVBQLK32VFS4ID6OYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739034},"content":"Adeleke’s year began with a spate of record-smashing, and among the highlights thereafter were three medals at the European Championships: gold with the mixed 4x400m and silver with the women’s 4x400m relay teams and silver in the individual 400m. And agonising as they were, those fourth-place individual and relay finishes at the Olympics only served to underline the 22-year-old’s promise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AEQQFQ3PD5BVPORPISZYT2X6IE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739035},"content":"<b>June – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Ciara Mageean</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"S3IN32RJQ5E5LBJALON6RF756A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739036},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"TMMQJWXQHNBPLO6ALPI25YYBTY","additional_properties":{"_id":"2WVU2U7ZCBATXFYGHX4SQQLKJE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"33U7HBPV7NE5RKB67MILEYWM5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739037},"content":"She was left heartbroken when injury forced her to withdraw from the Olympic Games, but by then Mageean had produced the performance of a lifetime at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, a brilliant finish down the homestretch seeing her win gold in the 1,500m. It was just the third gold medal for Ireland in the 90-year history of the European Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SS6HFZEEUVEERBOIFFUBTLL6EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739038},"content":"<b>July – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Kellie Harrington</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KJO4WTHAU5HWDBOYPA44Y6JI34","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739039},"content":"<b>Boxing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RB3OHD7EPZDVBK5NLYZDBM3BCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ROPA7JS445CD7NO3EBFT7DYF6A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"DI7JDGBWDFDV5PPRVRCMHAIR5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739040},"content":"Harrington was already a history maker before she took to the ring for her Olympic final in August – when she won her quarter-final she became the first Irish woman to win medals in two Olympic Games. And come that unforgettable night at Roland Garros, in front of a (mainly Irish) crowd of 15,000, she retained her Olympic crown with a 4-1 win over China’s Wenlu Yang.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QBNP3WMAHVAD5DJOQVOWFQQZFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739041},"content":"<b>August – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"3WJ47MCLWJEDRH62MHLJY63P4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739042},"content":"<b>Gaelic games</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MGJUF4FSYXUKCOPOJHKUQMICUM","additional_properties":{"_id":"NC5ICXZJXZDNBBFZE6FUI7TFF4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QRRKH7EWWFGYTKUZNMZ3T5QKJY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739043},"content":"To her immense relief, Ní Mhuircheartaigh will never again be asked how it feels to be one of the greatest footballers of all time never to have won an All-Ireland. That question became obsolete when Kerry ended a drought that stretched back to 1993 by beating Galway in the final. So, she’s now one of the greatest footballers of all time with an All Ireland winner’s medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3BNL55WRQREEBDGX47WAIJN45Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739044},"content":"<b>September – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Katie-George Dunlevy & Linda Kelly</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"EKBDYHMFF5GOJGHGZHFXXFYSWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739045},"content":"<b>Paracycling</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DGMJ42HTO2SPYMI5GPTNEXS5HE","additional_properties":{"_id":"SL43G5QTOZELVJJIIBNR5GE54Q"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JUQICRLM7FDJZFH5ZOUNC747IA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739046},"content":"September 2024 is a month Dunlevy and Kelly won’t forget in a hurry. In the space of 25 days they won Paralympic gold and silver in Paris and two World Championship golds in Zurich. And, for good measure, Dunlevy also won Paralympic silver with her long-time pilot Eve McCrystal. Considering the number of injuries and illnesses Dunlevy and Kelly suffered through the year, their achievements were remarkable.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5PBVHAMWZZEOBKGY5LSBSTEGZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739047},"content":"<b>October – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Lara Gillespie</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KL6RZHHTVJASJM36YSBCPRYSL4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739048},"content":"<b>Cycling</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"SNI53BQQRBMGNJPKYXKFAESVXM","additional_properties":{"_id":"JE2WOY7T2JGFBKFJZRRGMWE2KY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LCL6RWLBFZHSPLA7Y3Y4GHK7OI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739049},"content":"Another of our sportswomen of the year who has had to battle through illness and injury, Gillespie put it all behind her in a year that culminated in a bronze medal at the Track World Championships. By then she was part of the first Irish team pursuit squad to qualify for the Olympic Games, she won the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa and the Antwerp Port Epic, and was awarded a contract that saw her step up to World Tour level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KJW6UGSGZZHCNFNEHQEHNCQKPE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739050},"content":"<b>November – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Katie Taylor</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"RMWI4R4KW5BZDGHHHMAAXADDD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739051},"content":"<b>Boxing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BY2PEG5KQNASNJJJ6ZHFFYSBLY","additional_properties":{"_id":"HJKD7FFLFNCMLHA5M2LFIRTMNQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CZNIU7Z3OJAB7K5CA4J2PQHJ5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739052},"content":"Our five-time Sportswoman of the Year was involved in yet another fight for the ages with Amanda Serrano, four years after they first met at Madison Square Garden. Nobody ever thought that contest would be topped, but somehow the pair achieved the feat in front of a crowd of over 60,000 in Arlington, Texas. Taylor got the nod from all three judges who each scored it 95-94.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"Monthly winners this year included Kellie Harrington, Rachael Blackmore and Rhasidat Adeleke"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sportswoman of the Year Awards: Celebration of women’s achievements hits its 20th year","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"4J3O26TQR5DMBHC6KORXGDKR4U","auth":{"1":"c53a284a1bd1b7fae6664f39905f28896f1fd2eba62b20eed520a7ef34dd452b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4J3O26TQR5DMBHC6KORXGDKR4U.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/sportswoman-awards-preview-celebration-of-womens-achievements-hits-its-20th-year/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"X36PCAD5SFASBAJDNFO6DXQSGY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":1512,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/33a8f3a1-cc8d-4871-880d-ee5e88e49df8/versions/1734267416/media/0c0814b808337616ea37194927e1d502_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/14/a-stellar-year-for-irish-women-in-sport-kellie-rhasidat-katie-mona-and-so-much-more/","content_elements":[{"_id":"4F3IJ7QFMFEK5IZG7DSKEJCTIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038643},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>25 Danielle Hill’s Gold in 50m backstroke at European Championships</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"XXZ6TF5ORM5CPNGZ5WM7JAZYGI","additional_properties":{"_id":"7S2QQW5CJNA6BKBEIC7AQTXHP4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RZ3DVHXIHBGLHPZ3I7NU3A6WJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038644},"content":"2024 was a remarkable year for Ireland in the pool. Belfast’s Danielle Hill is one of three swimming entries on this year’s list, the 25-year-old earning her spot after ending Ireland’s 27-year wait for a European long-course medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UD336RFAHJCYPKVZJ35SYYLO2U","additional_properties":{"_id":"KV4HGZZYMVF63KJFSMBVOMKRLQ"},"content":"Danielle Hill wins backstroke gold at European Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JMGOROKKGZC35KLG7HNROTTSSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038645},"content":"In Belgrade, Hill hit the wall in 27.73 to win gold in the 50m backstroke, an event in which she holds one of her four individual senior Irish records. Two days later, she was back in the pool to take silver in the 100m backstroke, just four-tenths of a second off gold. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"W64DQETZR5EBZDKYGM45GOWKEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038638},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>24 Vikki Wall’s performance in AFLW grand final for North Melbourne</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OEE7B647Y2NAWXWU77PITARB5I","additional_properties":{"_id":"JXDNLBRR6FA33OHYJSLL45N4OA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"TZSHR4P7JBGOLM5YOVX5AZZ24Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038639},"content":"Aussie Rules is one of the great appreciators of Irish talent, and Vikki Wall’s performance in North Melbourne’s triumph over Brisbane to win the club’s first AFLW title was a showcase of just how successful the “Irish experiment” has been.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ETYU56VKJRD2PGW7X65VMPV27Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038640},"content":"The Meath two-time All-Ireland winner – part of a three-strong Irish contingent in the Kangaroos alongside Cork’s Erika O’Shea and Tipperary’s Niamh Martin – scored two goals in last month’s grand final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6I2M3PX2TFDK3B27Y3XW4327NI","additional_properties":{"_id":"43FTTQM2DBD57LUEOMVXXSN2ZM"},"content":"From missing out on the Olympics to winning an AFLW title, nobody had a year like Vikki Wall","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6DUPCTF6IRBDDK4M6XIAFUBVBM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038641},"content":"And an honourable mention must go to Tipperary’s Orla O’Dwyer and Dublin’s Jennifer Dunne, who both put in characteristically solid shifts for the Lions in the decider.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4WXYX56STNDARGB7HJIZ6Z24GQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038642},"content":"Exceptional talents at home and away. Sorry, I’ll see myself out. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"F2I32EPCMRD37F4ZK2WEFRHWOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038634},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>23 Cork senior camogie team retain O’Duffy Cup</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"I7NFMLSM7JH3LE7F7SYHUCDOFI","additional_properties":{"_id":"4F3DAFPM4VASXOCFQKWQNAGMU4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZYXAY5YCGFCMDNWJBVZOUNAEPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038635},"content":"Does winning ever get old? For the Cork senior camogie team, it’s fairly safe to say the answer is no. A record-breaking 30th title was likely just as sweet as the county’s first back in 1934.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TDWK4LCV7ZFDPOVIDWTTTTUYLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038636},"content":"A goal, albeit a contested one, was the difference between the Rebels and old foes Galway, the counties having met in nine previous All-Ireland finals, the most recent of which – in 2021 – went the way of the Tribeswomen.","type":"text"},{"_id":"INGV7OZH5FAGZK3VXD3NXBSCUY","additional_properties":{"_id":"Y3YVUSYEE5DEPHQ6XF72CUZ2U4"},"content":"Cork record 30th senior camogie title as they see off Galway fightback","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"7E2GSEJTUZHYRASM5VTNZRF5EE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038637},"content":"In a fiercely close decider, Cork had that little bit extra to seal the win as the clock ticked to the death, sending the O’Duffy Cup back to the Leeside for another year. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ANEEQTOV7JHIDCKS6PVQXNRUWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038631},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>22 Ireland play Israel in basketball</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"V7SGZNWBOFEHNKNDWMYN3QHMWY","additional_properties":{"_id":"RCYXQXPPHBGFVP46RX7GC7ASIE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"44MJRFRCPFEY3AOIQGEFEFIUGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038632},"content":"The Ireland team found themselves in an impossible situation in February. With the war in Gaza playing itself out in grim dispatches every night on the news, a EuroBasket qualifier against Israel in Latvia was always going to present a huge quandary for them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FA2M6OVTCFFR5PJVXJCP2AQCZY","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZHLGMDT56ZCLFBRL6PQB7YLLME"},"content":"How did the Irish women’s basketball team become embroiled in controversy over Israel?","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"5HGBC6RTW5DVZCNH7FZH2IPSRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038633},"content":"A boycott would result in a welter of fines and suspensions. Playing the game would result in accusations of supporting the Israeli regime. In the end, they ended up taking criticism from all sides. They went ahead with the game but refused to shake hands, in protest at an Israeli player baselessly calling them antisemitic. Israel got the result but nobody won. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G7CQS5OQL5D23KR4G5IFAEPT2Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038628},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>21 RTÉ Investigates abuse of players by coaches</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"P3BWHOLSFZC5NKRLBZ3HV4L7HI","additional_properties":{"_id":"HHQOBSEUKZC6NBBDCQL7PJCYYU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PZXCMZS3XNAYBD6WVXA7HIP57A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038629},"content":"If it was a grim year on the pitch for Irish women’s football on the senior international front, it was worse still off it, the lowest moment coming back in July when Marie Crowe and Mark Tighe teamed up for an RTÉ Investigates probe in to what female players had endured at the hands of some of their FAI coaches in the 1990s.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QW55HDMPJRGO5MJ3GCT563T2OI","additional_properties":{"_id":"N4WHH7YRUNBUTMN5JFVTVXABXI"},"content":"FAI coaching allegations: There is no resolution to this story, no happily ever afters. Careers were stalled, trauma inflicted","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"EDY3NJ6QGND73NY7PZYS3YVCU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038630},"content":"Multiple players alleged they had been subjected to sexual advances, some describing how their international careers were impacted – or ended – by standing up to their abusers. The FAI said they were “shocked and appalled” by the allegations, all of which were deeply depressing. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"OGSXRTRDYVFWXFONWQIDW4UJWM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038625},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>20 Ireland win a first ever World Series title in rugby sevens</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BZQXAJIMXJFPZFCDWV3CMYT7FE","additional_properties":{"_id":"OUBHUPFX4ZBD7OY34J7CNW6K3Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PM4DPDWGDJH5BJW2DKNMCIOSSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038626},"content":"This was Lucy Mulhall’s final year with the sevens squad – the Ireland captain retired after the Olympics, capping a decade-long career in which sevens went from a curio that nobody really had much interest in to something far more solid on the sporting landscape.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XVGMM5LWGFGGFHL7JGXDLIHRT4","additional_properties":{"_id":"VV4XZSTSLRC3TLAXSCLBVQIWHE"},"content":"Ireland women win first ever World Series rugby sevens gold medal in Perth","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"4P6PGJV7JREHFGZSPTKARDJ4RE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038627},"content":"This World Series win in Perth in January was unimaginable for most of Mulhall’s career but they pulled it off with wins over Fiji, Great Britain and Australia. The final against the home side – and World Series leaders – was a stunning effort, all coming down to Eve Higgins’s late try to seal the 19-14 win. The high point of the sevens year. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WR7ZKFJ5ARE2ZEKEEURZBW5FSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038622},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>19 Athlone Town win league title </b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"NMFAJTYTRMZICNE5IR3PJ7GXVI","additional_properties":{"_id":"LXGNMTQ2RZDOFNROU7CGYQTNLA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LQAGYBA2MFFFVCZLWNTWPN7VQE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038623},"content":"Some story, this. It was only in August 2020 that Athlone Town played their first ever senior League of Ireland game, but just over four years later they only went and won the title, wrapping it up on home turf with a 2-0 win over Bohemians. A humdinger of a title battle it was too, with Shelbourne and Galway United pushing them all the way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HWGJNNS3SREIBC4O5Y4LOV5I5A","additional_properties":{"_id":"GBVZ23SHQZFZ7CT7442OBFDAIM"},"content":"Athlone Town complete fairy-tale by winning Premier Division title","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"TPVGIGIHJNDULPXTDUFRBYAADM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038624},"content":"Athlone’s dreams of a double were, though, well and truly crushed by Shels who beat them 6-1 in the FAI Cup final, after which Athlone manager Ciarán Kilduff stepped down from his role, later appointed boss of Dundalk’s men’s team. Still, a hell of an achievement by a club that should, strictly, still only be finding their feet at this level. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KPZBTGMNJVFK5JQO4IEZL3AQWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038619},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>18 Missing out on Euro 2025</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BKIAJ6LZPXRWX6YKT67Q7UPPTM","additional_properties":{"_id":"ILPDJDFGUFBDHKGLFF6PEUZIBI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"23NBRSU5F5CVFMA2IOYAW5W324","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038620},"content":"Not one of the happier moments from 2024, but it was a painfully significant one. After making their World Cup debut in 2023, the hope was that the Republic of Ireland would push on and make qualifying for major tournaments a habit. But a calamitous night in Dublin in December put paid to that ambition.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GTAGOLABXVEFPBHQLJC5KEJSCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"TR4HVULOLVDYPNOC5RW6PVEPGI"},"content":"Ireland let glorious Euros opportunity slip from their fingers after heartbreaking Welsh defeat","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JDTRGIGU2NGURHDBDWYUORKSTI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038621},"content":"The killer moment in the second leg of the play-off, the first having ended 1-1 in Cardiff, came in the 67th minute when Wales doubled their lead on the night through Carrie Jones. Anna Patten’s late reply was too little, too late. There’ll be no trip to Switzerland next summer, then, a horror of a conclusion to a difficult year for the national team. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"PWLHOP2KXRC4TA6GDQ4MCIHFDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038615},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>17 Orla Prendergast leads way in win over England</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"SBSMN5GWJLT7UJABT45C7FXXVE","additional_properties":{"_id":"W3B2DT76HBBL3PUC7EHTDGUKZU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ARDJ5RS2YJAI3GL3VNUTNWHRGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038616},"content":"The Irish cricket team concluded a year sprinkled with memorable moments by beating Bangladesh 3-0 in their T20 international series, but nothing quite topped that September day in Clontarf when they got the better of England for the first time in the same format.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6T4Y2B44LNGOLI56664WSS4K5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038617},"content":"Once again, Orla Prendergast demonstrated what a world class cricketer she is when she scored 80 runs off 51 balls, despite suffering from a badly grazed hand, her innings interrupted when she had to have the wound cleaned and dressed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C7M66VDFQFEWJO7YBAYL7VD7K4","additional_properties":{"_id":"V65KOK5B5RCEPA7G2OG5VONZLM"},"content":"Ireland secure first win against England in 20-over women’s cricket at Clontarf","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"YHIF7ANRMZCU7CGEOSE73XEWEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038618},"content":"Having already played her part with the ball, the all-rounder taking two key wickets in England’s innings, Prendergast then stepped up with the bat, her thrilling knock, which featured 13 boundaries, sending Ireland on their way to a famous victory. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JHJHYMWEKJCPHHP6SG3UKG7BQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038612},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>16 Lara Gillespie wins bronze at the World Championships</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"B3N7P6XMEBFVVCOXVT2HXAJ4LQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"XKSA2GWHJZEEXPHH236CN5YAS4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"N3IZI6VHFFBA5BYGN5KNPGA34U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038613},"content":"Katie-George Dunlevy described cycling as a “sufferfest”, and Lara Gillespie can attest to that. No more than Dunlevy, she’s been through the mill, her well-documented battle with a debilitating gynaecological condition followed by a heap of injuries, among them a dislocated collarbone and broken shoulder.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OSMAFVBUERECPE3DVF3S6O2VTI","additional_properties":{"_id":"2TP276473ZBLRDNV5QHZPGAKXA"},"content":"Lara Gillespie speeds to bronze medal at track world championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"XPA47O4K6ZAK7NZACIFFV6V27I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038614},"content":"Despite it all, the Wicklow woman can reflect on a sparkling 2024 that saw her being part of the first Irish team pursuit squad to qualify for the Olympic Games, win the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa and the Antwerp Port Epic, and being awarded a pro contract that saw her step up to World Tour level. And, to round her year off, she won bronze at the World Championships in Denmark. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"2M67TFM2LRHZFG35YH5GUK2OWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038609},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>15 Ireland beat New Zealand at the WXVI</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"QC3CKJGREDQXEK6WSHXDTNV5FY","additional_properties":{"_id":"4L4YM4G3HJB4ZCD66RGPDWWVWA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"WDR7AYM6DBHYRI2NYEZYINU6P4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074590},"content":"It’s fair to say the WXV tournament hadn’t particularly caught the attention of the Irish sporting public ahead of this, its second year. Nothing like a win over New Zealand to change minds on that score. Ireland qualified for the top tier of the competition by coming third in the Six Nations and hit the ground sprinting in Vancouver with this 29-27 win over the Black Ferns.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5AP3Y3ZDC5BZHJKS3SPPIXFGDU","additional_properties":{"_id":"3IUILCMKUZCO7C25UCLCGXPDJU"},"content":"Ireland stun world champions New Zealand with win in opening clash","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"EPDXRTRW4NDXXJYYWOYTXMSQ2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038611},"content":"Aoife Wafer snagged two first-half tries before substitute Erin King announced herself with a couple of her own in the closing quarter-hour, a performance that went a long way to earning her the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RYXJZM6ZCNGNHJVHXG2HQEDFFM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038605},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>14 Fionnuala McCormack</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZRU3KUYVW5GCNJ6WSN3AGUPSAI","additional_properties":{"_id":"HKSEMOLENJEY7ED745INEMARCQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"W4AQCKAEDFE5ZELVORLLFW3A24","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074595},"content":"It’s a whole 18 years since the names of two Wicklow women first appeared on our monthly roll of honour: Fionnuala McCormack and a certain Katie Taylor. Since then? Not just longevity, but excellence too. With a large dollop of history-making thrown in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VIODSRDECFHQFNMILBYZSL7OPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733867243223},"content":"It was this time last year that McCormack, now 40, became the first Irish woman to qualify for a fifth successive Olympic Games when she ran inside the required mark at the Valencia marathon. She was far from happy with her 28th place finish in Paris on a course she described as “torture”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"II2WDAWLV5DGNJGQX57ZPYDR7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733867243224},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/08/11/fionnuala-mccormack-finishes-28th-in-olympics-marathon-as-sifan-hassan-makes-history/\" target=\"_blank\">“But at least I’m still alive,” she concluded.</a>","type":"text"},{"_id":"HIXA3RABLBH4LMYKDIVC3OQTC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038608},"content":"Is she done? Is she heck. On the first day of this month she returned to Valencia where she ran the fastest marathon of her career, taking 12 seconds off her previous best. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"UKOHFCZJNJBZHHHVVXAWGVHXFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038601},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>13 Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh – Kerry’s first All-Ireland senior title since 1993</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OBX72PLQKRBR3P37WSQQJ4R2YM","additional_properties":{"_id":"NQHBUKHIMJEITNKK7SHRZ36D5U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GMYCW7SDDZB7RABMVJY3AK3RDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734020550393},"content":"For the Kerry footballers, 2024 proved some things are worth the wait, finally coming good against Galway to end their 31-year wait to return the Brendan Martin Cup to the Kingdom. Their emphatic win marked the end of an era for Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh; no longer would she bear the burden of being the greatest player without an All-Ireland medal for her 17-year service.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DTNPHZF3JRE4BCCB37YXW7XCLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"YEX6JZO6HZA4FIZ3YE6TZ7IUSU"},"content":"Kerry finally make their All-Ireland dream come through after years of heartache","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JFIM3XT6RJFUDJDBO4DXWFUFXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038604},"content":"Ní Mhuircheartaigh supplied six points on Kerry’s way to victory at Croke Park, her free-taking a study in composure, stamping her name on her fifth All Star. Of the numerous All-Ireland medals that have found a home in Kerry, Ní Mhuircheartaigh can be counted among the most deserved recipients. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"I7AH6BXMY5CQZMTQTTFK5LUVZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038598},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>12 Bohemians v Palestine</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZK3EARD6B5HFPMJLED2CTUBTDU","additional_properties":{"_id":"RRE334LLYBDYFJAGAF52DSGNJY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QNHXKGQ5SNER7MEVZIZ6PZR6W4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074606},"content":"It’s unlikely that there were any more emotional days in the Irish sporting year than when the women of Palestine took on Bohemians at Dalymount Park in May. It was the first match played in Europe by any senior Palestine national side, Bohs inviting them to Dublin as an act of solidarity in light of the carnage inflicted on their homeland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RKXWW6AIPNDM5EFOA3AMIPI45A","additional_properties":{"_id":"W2IDVR5C4NHDBMPTS46Y243LOE"},"content":"Bohemians v Palestine: ‘In Gaza, our fields and our stadiums have been demolished’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"VRRD5D3GKZG4RGEYT6GZW7Y7AU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074607},"content":"A full house welcomed them to Dalymount, the team having been received at Áras an Uachtaráin by President Michael D Higgins, the players overwhelmed by their reception in Ireland. “In Palestine we’re not even allowed to fly as many of our flags as we’ve seen flying here,” said their manager Deema Said. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FU4PBHSFGJGCPM5Y4NKUUUSXAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038594},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>11 Orla Comerford – Paralympic bronze</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"C3GBQ57GFCG423YCGYNWNSC5Z4","additional_properties":{"_id":"URUCYJERBVFBHE6PJYCEFKTNXE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"YUPGXQQY4NEN5OIZNICHBBWE6A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074611},"content":"Orla Comerford had barely stepped off the track at the Stade de France having earned her first Paralympic medal – bronze in the T13 100m final – but her mind had already turned to LA 2028. The Dubliner banished any lingering doubts from Tokyo to take third in a race in which both the gold and silver medallists ran under the world record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TB7J6EMDYBEGFIMX5C7METPXFY","additional_properties":{"_id":"NUBRWQGDTRHSNGTTHXX4XSNVCQ"},"content":"‘There is lots more in the tank’: Orla Comerford happy with Paralympics bronze, for now","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"DKZKX5UME5EJPKPLPOEB767V5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038597},"content":"Beaming with her medal around her neck, Comerford said her initial feeling after crossing the line was disappointment, although the reality of her achievement quickly set in to turn that to delight. Still, there’s little doubt as to what medal she has her eye on next time. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6LGMYFKHYJAQVBNWWCX4DMBTXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038590},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>10 The 4x400m mixed relay team</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"TRUHODS3NZBGNCWMKSNXSAX7SQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"T7PVX2BKSFEUDBYL5WYAW7XO54"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2RZZBXTJ2RHV5GHQ7W7CXDE72A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074616},"content":"Ah, what a night at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Chris O’Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley combining to produce 3:09.92 of pure gold in the 4x400m mixed relay final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TAU7F4VUKRD4VGO3PBZTYJ3JLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038592},"content":"Before that evening, only Sonia O’Sullivan had ever stood atop the podium for Ireland at the European Championships, but there had been a hint of what was to come in Nassau the previous May when the team – Cillin Greene in that line-up instead of O’Donnell – triumphed at the World Athletics Relays.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GA7PKPEG2FHYXN7UF3M67M5NVI","additional_properties":{"_id":"POZJDMEIVJDOPBBLDLFDVRBQGE"},"content":"Ireland win gold in 4x400m mixed relay at European Athletics Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"5FWY4LXADBEPFD4KZTRIKM4HL4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038593},"content":"They turned up trumps in Rome, O’Donnell and Barr doing their bit, Adeleke blitzing the second leg, before Mawdsley’s stunning anchor leg. Magical. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EDBKV735AFCERA22BLZXOO2TII","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038586},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>9 Róisín Ní Riain – Five medals at European Championships and two at Paralympics</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HZEZCOW76267YJSVJBTILKYOS4","additional_properties":{"_id":"G5GIJH26DFBPZKNQBKMPERXVOE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CDL2TYAL5BDR3BWZM3TOX52PXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074622},"content":"Not since Atlanta 1996 (remembered with fondness or regret, you decide) would the pool have been considered Ireland’s arena of choice, but 2024 did mighty work to help change that. Róisín Ní Riain stormed the European Para Swimming Championships in Portugal back in May, claiming five medals – two gold, two silver, and a bronze – from her six events.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IMMA7PXTWRHSRKBLAAAS64CUGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733917509168},"content":"As Paralympic warmups go, you couldn’t ask for better. Paris was the Limerick woman’s second games having been Ireland’s youngest Paralympian in Tokyo, and she walked away with silver in the 100m backstroke and bronze in the 200m IM. More to come in LA perhaps? <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBK3XP4V6VEMDAMF2QOWVPSAB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038583},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>8 Rachael Blackmore completes the Cheltenham triple crown</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"VCBK5YEX5W42IKYCNBAEMXL534","additional_properties":{"_id":"E64GPPIHOZGGBA4KW42MMADY24"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VEBIEEH4HRD73L6763PGRCTHQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074626},"content":"In the past 50 years of the Cheltenham festival, only eight jockeys have put together the elite triptych of Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase. It goes without saying that Rachael Blackmore is the first and only woman on that list.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCZPQTGK5RDCXF32IQMLDJYJVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"6WXKN2MW7RDX7G6V2WOVWZFZRU"},"content":"Cheltenham: Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore secure Queen Mother Champion Chase","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"LGBZM66CVZFVNICXJBVPE4F2IU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734124713474},"content":"Captain Guinness’s victory in the Champion Chase was her 16th festival winner. In an event-filled race, she steered Henry De Bromhead’s horse to a hard-earned victory, staving off a late challenge from Mark Walsh on Gentleman De Mee. It was everything we’ve come to expect from her – unflappable, expertly timed, imperious. She makes it all look routine, which of course it isn’t. MC","type":"text"},{"_id":"E5FQDQ6KEVG3TKDK4HL25YMXUA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038580},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>7 4x400m women’s relay team - silver at the European Championships, fourth at Olympics</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HNQZLVUSSTQOKMBO6POCJEFNLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"LVCBP2IMING4RHT7EJ5EUGIHFM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KQO3VKGWUFAGHGIDFF4HVMNYPA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074631},"content":"The quartet of Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley have done an almost unheard of thing in Irish life. They’ve colonised the imagination of the general public in a team sport that doesn’t involve a ball.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NOPUTCCXGFF4XCU2P5TBNS35NY","additional_properties":{"_id":"SMNEEIO73JHHPJL4P7522CISUY"},"content":"Ireland women claim silver medal in 4x400m relay at European Athletics Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"SSNJMFVZ75CPHJCVC6ESIJPISM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038582},"content":"They did it first in Rome in June by winning the silver medal at the European Championships. Then they followed it up in Paris in August when they came so close to an unprecedented Olympic medal, with Mawdsley only just run out of it in the dying yards. It was emotional, inspirational, heartbreaking stuff and it held the nation captive in a way no relay team has ever done. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G45ED4HGUZCZFGEOAD22WPHJHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038577},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>6 Mona McSharry’s Olympic bronze</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KKYVEMVD5FEIVXVWPXUANBEILE","additional_properties":{"_id":"TAW4I5F6NFDJXPAOXIC35U3CPA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UM6GTEZWAVFSBGFVD36P4DN4WE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074636},"content":"By her own admission, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2024/07/30/how-mona-mcsharry-went-from-hating-swimming-to-a-remarkable-olympic-bronze-medal/\" target=\"_blank\">Mona McSharry hadn’t just fallen out of love with swimming, she was beginning to hate it</a>. The sport had been at the centre of her life for as long as she could remember, but she was beginning to feel like it wasn’t giving back anything close to what she was putting in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L5VYXDZRDFBCZCMIXO6RAM5DXY","additional_properties":{"_id":"QPGIJNGBNFAZTPAYWE6WOOSVCI"},"content":"In pictures: Mona McSharry secures famous bronze medal for Ireland in the pool","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"FRVMNE7KBJC7HPOT5LIOWVAYRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038579},"content":"Then came that July day in Paris when she stood on the podium after the 100m breaststroke final with a bronze medal draped around her neck, having become only the second Irish swimmer to medal at the Olympics (a certain Daniel Wiffen made it three the day after). Not even her goggles filling up with water prevented her from finishing third in a race that featured four of the event’s finest specialists. Her tears flowed. The sport had finally given back.<b> MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IKZ2FM757FDHBC6O3NIMTKB6TE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038569},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>5 Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly win Paralympic and World Championship golds</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"V4MCCYVEGF6ZJCKNWG6X3BCSIE","additional_properties":{"_id":"VSKNZ6DIQNHYTLVKZDFHFT5SXM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CKJNNR2WDJBRLDDIIWA5HLKXGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074641},"content":"Even before September came around it had already been a fruitful year for Katie-George Dunlevy and her pilot Linda Kelly, but then they went into overdrive by winning two Paralympic and two World Championship medals in the space of just 25 days – three of them gold.","type":"text"},{"_id":"765XLTMYA5GXBA44W474LFTLRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038571},"content":"What made their achievements all the more remarkable was what the pair had had to endure through the year in terms of injury and illness – concussion, a broken collarbone, leg and arm infections, and two bouts of Covid. And that was only the half of it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P6VIUTSJKFEDRHCXC3UOAY4XPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038572},"content":"They’re made of steely stuff, though. Dunlevy, for example, got back on her bike after a crash in a qualification event in Italy and finished fourth – and only later learnt that she’d done so with that broken collarbone. But as she put it herself, “if I’m not in a world of pain and am not falling off the bike at the finish, I haven’t worked hard enough”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S5NJ7VSDVBCO3MOUE56XCK24RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038573},"content":"The rewards were great come Paris, Dunlevy bringing her tally of Paralympic medals to eight, two of them won with Kelly, and one with her long-time pilot Eve McCrystal who was making her final international appearance.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RYMFG46INFBGFAXWVVC2AJQXUM","additional_properties":{"_id":"5LABKF45WZBTHKY2RDRDKCMYEM"},"content":"Paralympic cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy: ‘I want to inspire visually impaired children and the LGBT community to not give up’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"KERH4DEDN5HQ3FUCJUGTIVWZ64","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038574},"content":"It was her gold with Kelly, though, in the individual time-trial that meant the most, Dunlevy successfully retaining her Tokyo title and Kelly winning the first Paralympic medal of her career just two years after taking up tandem riding for the first time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVL6UYDBFFAV5DJW4OITXDUCSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038575},"content":"It was a stunning victory by the pair who had trailed Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holly by over 10 seconds at the first split, but produced a surge thereafter that saw them overtake and hold off the Britons, winning gold by 1:23.60 seconds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C5CLLNOSN5HC5EUR27QRU5ODAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038576},"content":"And lest they be accused of being lazy, they were back in their saddles a fortnight later for the World Championships in Zurich where they only went and won gold in both the time-trial and road race. A September like no other. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"5DPTLIITUVEZ3A562J3OXQQ274","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038560},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>4 Katie Taylor beats Amanda Serrano</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"5XUEVLO6FULTTWGJBL7IQAD3TY","additional_properties":{"_id":"PS466OIORVE5ZOOJHTALWCOTFE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"IIKOMSMYMJGOPM5YGTAK3ZIFTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074651},"content":"What is a list of Irish women’s sporting moments without Katie Taylor?","type":"text"},{"_id":"KC5CENWQUNAMPJHJ2H6SEZVLWU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038562},"content":"A performance to warrant her inclusion in this year’s iteration may have been delayed by forces beyond her control, but by god did she end up earning her spot.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SNBFNDSK65FSDBKW5VLPYR4QD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038563},"content":"In November, the Bray fighter returned to the ring for a rematch against Amanda Serrano, the pair having previously met in a history-making fight at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2022, the first women’s fight to headline the iconic venue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WS3JTA2G2VBLDA3G6FEA2F35OE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038564},"content":"Taylor won that bout on a split decision to retain her lightweight titles, her hand hardly raised above her head before the Puerto Rican fighter sought a rematch. Given the show they put on it was a dead cert, promoter Eddie Hearn bigging up the idea that the second instalment could be a homecoming for KT, floating Croke Park as a potential venue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AOUX2VCVHZBJBOBSJOAP4I55GM","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZERPI5R23FALTKHATLZ3XHU42Y"},"content":"Katie Taylor narrowly defeats Amanda Serrano in brutal contest","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"O5MIRUG7ABFXBMHMLV73UJWS54","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038565},"content":"Alas, not to be, and instead it got wrapped up as a co-main event in the glorified vanity project that was Mike Tyson v Jake Paul (the event delayed from May due to a Tyson illness), providing the only shred of true sporting action on an otherwise ridiculous night in Texas.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KC6JTAHXDRBABNZU6FFK3C3RWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038566},"content":"Just as they were at MSG, Taylor and Serrano were remarkably evenly matched. After 10 pummelling rounds, the judges had their verdict: 95-94 unanimously for Taylor. Serrano and her team didn’t like it (shooting off some nasty accusations that Serrano later retracted), the crowd didn’t like it, Netflix’s bumbling commentators didn’t like it – but that doesn’t make the decision wrong. A modicum of impartiality would have gone a long way at AT&T Stadium, but rage gets better ratings.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OKQIVQQCDFD7ZPVUXOK2MJD2RY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038568},"content":"Despite the mudslinging, Taylor was the ever-gracious champ, rising above the painful pageantry of the wider occasion and going home with her light-welterweight titles intact. Long may she reign. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCFXPJHO3NDU7IF4NQI4S4O7EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038553},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>3 Ciara Mageean becomes European 1,500m champion</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"24D2MKEYFZBQZMQR4JK3ZFA5E4","additional_properties":{"_id":"2NUL2UNAXBBG5LFZMBRHCIVUYY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2T2XRTOETVBELI3OWHRVYROQLE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074661},"content":"Paris was a disaster for Ciara Mageean. The Achilles injury she has been carrying for most of the past decade picked the exact wrong time to flare up, causing her to pull out on the eve of the games. The timing couldn’t have been worse – she was in the form of her life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NGEHLVY6OJD27NHQQZPVIV5YSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038555},"content":"That was clear to everyone at the European Championships in Rome just six weeks earlier. Throughout her career, Mageean has been there or thereabouts at European level in the 1,500 metres. She won bronze in Amsterdam in 2016, silver in Munich in 2022. She went to Rome as one of the medal contenders in everyone’s book, even though her injury profile means you’re never too sure how much hope to hold out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OLMLAP5GNBGPXO7MP53QXBDBYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038556},"content":"As it transpired, she was the best of the field. She ran three-and-a-half laps on the shoulders of British pair Georgia Hall and Gemma Reekie, waiting until the top of the final bend before grabbing a gap between them and striking for home.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MZ2HXLSZXJCEHCRVUVJ66XVHNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038557},"content":"She ran with a confidence that very few of us who were in the Stadio Olimpico shared, certain in herself that she had the kick to take the gold. When she crossed the line, she flung her two arms in the air, the pinnacle of her career reached at last.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C3ALCATGKJEYJKWKCCPFG4KGEM","additional_properties":{"_id":"TPMEZCXOM5FD5FM53FQKZZ6HVU"},"content":"Ciara Mageean: ‘I just felt numb. It wasn’t even sadness, it was just emptiness’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6CE5G2PKOFAZZJHMSKKCGUX62Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038558},"content":"At that moment, everything else fell away. All the bad days, all the dashed hopes, all the ups and downs of a career where the occasional fragility of Mageean’s body has betrayed her. It would turn traitor on her again in the weeks that followed, meaning that 2024 will always be unavoidable bittersweet in her memory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I4YWNQMG4ZCH3HDADN3HEATEAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038559},"content":"But for that night in Rome, nothing else mattered. She got what she deserved, finally. And what a beautiful thing it was. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZUASPNFSNFCTFPFSX2TWWIXKQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038545},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>2 Rhasidat Adeleke’s record-breaking year</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"AYK6YOCOBYTB5PHIIYD5V3QFZA","additional_properties":{"_id":"EERMLXTPANFXDEYY3SDBG4C4LA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HXIAVYIIEFDEXOVQW6CCMSDZJM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074670},"content":"Another remarkable year for Rhasidat Adeleke gave us any number of moments to warrant her inclusion. Despite heartbreak in Paris, 2024 proved the Dubliner’s star remains firmly on the rise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6UBY7PP3VJDQJE2LRSLCHVB65A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038547},"content":"If you want cold, hard figures, how’s nine for you. That’s the number of Irish records the 22-year-old holds at year end – seven individual, two relay.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VHN6OQZ6N5BQ5GCAQT4VJUCDGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038548},"content":"By <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/01/21/rhasidat-adeleke-breaks-two-irish-indoor-records-with-first-races-of-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">mid-February Adeleke had already bettered three of her Irish indoor records over 60, 200 and 300 metres</a>. Then in May, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/05/05/sensational-rhasidat-adeleke-leads-irish-relay-teams-to-paris-olympics-on-the-double/\" target=\"_blank\">she put in masterful runs at the World Athletics Relays to help Ireland qualify for the Olympics in both the women’s and mixed 4x400</a> metres relays, taking bronze in the mixed relay final for good measure. Not a bother to the girl from Tallaght with the ribbons in her hair.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U554VLU2JFBHDFA2MLDL4M2YGI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038549},"content":"But the zenith of Adeleke’s year was yet to come. June saw her travel to Rome as part of an Irish contingent that claimed a record haul of medals at the European Athletic Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NPL3Y4N3ZRAVPP3OIWNN2K5GXI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038550},"content":"Of Team Ireland’s four medals from the competition, Adeleke was party to three. She <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/06/07/ireland-win-gold-in-4x400m-mixed-relay-at-european-athletics-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">first took gold with the 4x400 metres mixed</a> relay team (besting their Irish record from May), before her solo silver in the 400 metres which so nearly could have been gold (again smashing her own Irish record in the process), following it up with silver in the women’s 4x400 metres relay.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K2O7F24ABNA7VFIYGA3POKD3KI","additional_properties":{"_id":"LJR7E5CQMREWBNHDSFJMY3WWNA"},"content":"Rhasidat Adeleke takes silver in 400m at European Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"Q4F4H6X7XZATNNIUB66K4GIDSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734267574130},"content":"From that high, an Olympic medal looked within her reach. The agony comes in the narrow margin by which it ultimately didn’t come to pass. Fourth in both the 400 metres and the women’s 4x400 metres relay finals (another Irish record performance) spelled heartbreak in the city of love, an unfair takeaway given the glittering year she’s had. But perhaps that’s the mark of her talent, and our collective anticipation that her race is far from run. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZSUN3SCS2BHBPI4VSYXR5ZSRDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734018546322},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>1 Kellie Harrington wins Olympic gold</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BEXMKBEZL5AXPEKPIW5ML3T3VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038537},"content":"There has never been an Irish Olympic boxer to compare to Kellie Harrington. Over the course of a century, 116 fighters wore the Ireland singlet at the Olympics. Of those 116, 19 fought at more than one games. Of those 19, eight won fights at multiple games. Of those eight, just two medalled twice. Whittle further and Harrington has history all to herself, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/boxing/2024/08/06/kellie-harrington-becomes-double-olympic-champion-with-display-of-pure-gold/\" target=\"_blank\">the only Irish fighter with two Olympic gold medals</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"32P3SJPJGNDK7FMT3OV5DXAQXY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038538},"content":"As the rest of the Irish boxing team fell around her like skittles this summer, she forged her own path, oblivious. There were 10 Irish boxers in Paris but the tournament was mostly a disaster. They came home with just five wins between them – Harrington was responsible for four of them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C67DGGTMPSXZ7AMOE2DWS22ONI","additional_properties":{"_id":"KBYF2GN2NVGB7AWN7XM4UGVCUA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"A5KQH7JG2VBG5JYK2IUB5GGBXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074681},"content":"Her Olympic gold medal was a mental triumph as much as it was a physical one. She began the year unsure of herself, worried about her place in the Irish public’s affections, counting the days until her Olympic final when it would all be over and she could get on with her life. In the Olympic village, she ate alone and retreated to her own solitude. All in service of the four fights it took to make her champion again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3OKPEIVAN5BIJOU5EI346HTFAM","additional_properties":{"_id":"LHLGZVADR5AJNJOF52H2P4T4TQ"},"content":"Kellie Harrington stands alone, the first Irish woman to win gold medals at two Olympics","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"KLC2U3COMZDBRHFADZ3MUSBVWU","additional_properties":{"_id":"6LC6Z6TH4NFP7GKIJDVXNXP2WY"},"content":"In Pictures: Kellie Harrington savours another golden moment as she makes Olympic history","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"VRRD5D3GKZG4RGEYT6GZW7Y7AU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074682},"content":"If there was a signature performance, it was the semi-final against Beatrice Ferreira of Brazil. Ferreira is a professional world champion who was out for revenge after Harrington had beaten her in Tokyo. But though it was a virtual tie going into the final round, Harrington produced a masterclass of movement and hitting to launch herself into the final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NE3HZ3HJMRE6HISAYDJ2EUI2GM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038542},"content":"When she got there, she built an unassailable lead over the first two rounds and kept us all safe from heart attacks. It meant that between Tokyo and Paris, her full record read: Two Olympics, Two gold medals, eight fights, eight wins, for a combined score of 36-4 on all judges’ cards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DIRWOUMZSNEMLGFGPVAPAOC3FU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038543},"content":"She is immortal. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Muireann Duffy"}},"name":"Muireann Duffy"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"Our countdown of the 25 moments that defined women’s sport in Ireland this year"},"display_date":"2024-12-15T13:02:44.606Z","headlines":{"basic":"The top 25 women’s sporting moments of the year: top spot revealed with Katie Taylor, Rhasidat Adeleke and Kellie Harrington featuring","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"RJRNMNWN2RBZPAXU46HL35OYHE","auth":{"1":"02a0e639f68bf5c96f93239c3c81ca8213de5f2682853df450d3579a75ca3ea5"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/RJRNMNWN2RBZPAXU46HL35OYHE.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/14/a-stellar-year-for-irish-women-in-sport-kellie-rhasidat-katie-mona-and-so-much-more/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/boxing","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Boxing"}}}},{"_id":"IFXFVMGJEFC2BEOOQKEKGHNSVA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":87,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/133f02f2-4906-40c6-86ed-acc81715143d/versions/1733676139/media/6fc4daab9096520ca2edb93c08b698c8_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/12/08/nick-griggs-wins-silver-in-u23-race-at-european-cross-country-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"JFIVIEGQ7VAZ5LDNF5FUVGBZ5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733673242336},"content":"Tyrone’s Nick Griggs has won silver for Ireland in the men’s U23 event at the European Cross Country Championships in Antalya, Turkey.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X7F24RUXJJF5BDYHV2T6C3Y5PE","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 19-year-old made a late move to challenge for gold but narrowly missed out, crossing the line in 18.28, one second behind Britain’s Will Warnicoat, whose compatriot David Stone took bronze.","type":"text"},{"_id":"56XKJVDBLZESVOKVVKAUVPB5AA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Speaking after the race, Griggs described himself as the “nearly-man at these championships”, having earned two silver and one bronze at the event in recent years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HP5UFE3RWJDB3OKDEPIFN2C53A","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Everyone wants to go out and win gold ... but I’m happy and I think it’s something I’ll appreciate as I get older,” said Griggs.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BVQB3BAHTZDS3L5GBHQOZ43GN4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I love these championships and it’s a special one for me. I always like to step up and perform at my best when I have the Irish vest on. I knew it was a long home straight and not to make any moves too early, but the best man won on the day and one of these years I will win at these championships.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVCOIAJZNFGCXLRWY4BUWX6F24","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the women’s U23 race, Laura Mooney earned Ireland’s second top-10 finish of the day, crossing the line in seventh.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Muireann Duffy"}},"name":"Muireann Duffy"}]},"description":{"basic":"Tryone runner narrowly missed out on gold in Turkey"},"display_date":"2024-12-08T16:37:06.614Z","headlines":{"basic":"Nick Griggs wins silver in U23 race at European Cross Country Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"4KPHYWJHIYTGU4N6CDWFYX6H7M","auth":{"1":"2064e09fdbea74e16c1c85c3ed1beb006f062674858352241b5f5d1d4f92b60c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4KPHYWJHIYTGU4N6CDWFYX6H7M.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/12/08/nick-griggs-wins-silver-in-u23-race-at-european-cross-country-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"Q4G2IF4SXVDKJPWVFZXACAET7Y","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":991,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/1859e8dd-7cd8-4188-8030-54296c484099/versions/1732894086/media/523015459911082da761683a1fb82d8a_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/tennis/2024/11/30/conor-nilands-the-racket-is-the-best-sports-book-in-a-year-dominated-by-autobiographies/","content_elements":[{"_id":"LTKY4SVQHJDGLFBENPT66TYHQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218637},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>The Best</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"QN6QDAYMLJDYNAWJKLUECCLDZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218638},"content":"<u><b>The Racket by Conor Niland and Gavin Cooney (Penguin, €15.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"T2NWODWUHZF5PN7MO34GXGVFEI","additional_properties":{"_id":"5OXDPQ6CZNGPFBIM4FUIB6254I"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"EAN677ZKUBF6DF54CEMCMMPXTY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218639},"content":"We have had some brilliant Irish sports books over the past decade, without having all that many stone cold classics. This is a stone cold classic. The story of Conor Niland’s life in professional tennis, told along with Gavin Cooney of The 42, recently became the third Irish book ever to win the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. And deservedly so.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LIPELKNKRRBBFL5RTJBANJMJSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218640},"content":"Niland is the best Irish tennis player of the open era. He was born six weeks after Roger Federer – not for nothing is the book subtitled On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation – and the other 99%. The story, then, is one of getting closer than almost everyone on the planet to the sport’s gilded inner sanctum without ever quite making it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MMDC5ERAXBGQFBPRGH4QFBYQCQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218641},"content":"Some of it would break your heart. The drip-drip of him throwing away his one match at Wimbledon after leading 4-1 in the final set is harrowing, all the more so because the prize for winning would have been a Centre Court match against Federer. The travel, the injuries, the grimly observed differences between the haves and have-nots – all of it would grind anyone down.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7NUQ6YQRP5DDPJAVZHJAXT4G3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218642},"content":"But this is no misery lit adventure. It’s very funny throughout because Niland and Cooney have packed a lifetime’s absurdity in here too. Like the time he played a set against the 15-year-old son of one of this sponsors, the weirdest match of his life. “Am I really allowed to beat up on my sponsor’s son? Or will he wonder why he’s spending his money on a guy who can’t beat his son easily?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AXPCU2NTC5HZFNTTCUNI6A5W4I","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218643},"content":"Niland retired in 2012, injuries finally calling a halt. The fact that he has let a decade pass before writing this book has done it a world of good. The tone isn’t bitter or maudlin – Niland has more perspective than that. He has painted a wonderfully detailed picture of a world most sports fans know next-to-nothing about and kept his sanity while doing so. That’s a win, all by itself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XXMVENZ5CBEC7CT3CFDRFTJAZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218644},"content":"<u><b>Obsessed by Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Reilly (Penguin, €24.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"3ZJYIDVQQ5BSTDQSWRCJ7M6DFA","additional_properties":{"_id":"EO6FGPFXLZFRJMGQ537GN3MG7U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"MRF4QB2UYVE2NM54LUIB2JNI3Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218645},"content":"There is a fantastic tension that runs throughout <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/johnny-sexton/\" target=\"_blank\">Johnny Sexton</a>’s autobiography, made all the better for the fact that he probably would have got away without dwelling on it at all. On the one hand, he was (is) a demonic competitor, a relentless setter of standards, a person who calls out deficiencies when he sees them. On the other, that doesn’t always make for a particularly pleasant person to be around.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPP44OW6HFBTVPSGWWIOG2ZFD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218646},"content":"In someone else’s hands, that side of his character could have been dealt with in a single chapter of a book that, let’s not forget, chronicles one of the greatest ever Irish sporting careers. Sexton and Peter O’Reilly could have thrown in a couple of anecdotes of him losing the rag, leavened it all with a bit of self-deprecation and moved right along to telling everyone about his drop goal against France in Paris.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WF37N3XB4JH25D43KDMC2OZKG4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218647},"content":"But what makes this such a rewarding read is that fact that Sexton is willing to paint himself in an often unflattering light. His spikiness, his abrasive nature, his unwillingness to float along – these are a feature of his make-up, not a bug in the system. So much of the book is him wrestling with this side of himself. How did he get like this? Why does he have to be this way?","type":"text"},{"_id":"2ZKCU2MIHVC3POXAXEGQG25DFY","additional_properties":{"_id":"W4PYHJY4BJDJZLKVPNK6ZG7BJE"},"content":"Obsessed. The Autobiography by Johnny Sexton: One of the best Irish sports books ever written","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"R2A52XEAJBCGDJPVGYYPLTG4EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218648},"content":"“Be yourself everyone – except you, Johnny,” was <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/andy-farrell/\" target=\"_blank\">Andy Farrell</a>’s instruction at one point, making it clear to Sexton that he had to change his nature as Ireland captain, become more of a chameleon, work out who he can’t lose the rag with and who needs to be spoken to more softly. In the next breath, Sexton growled at John Cooney for a mistake in training but later rang him to apologise – “Though it went against every fibre of my being”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7ERBXONWKRGHLJGVKW3OJKV5UM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218649},"content":"The push-and-pull of that, the constant unsparing questioning of himself, lifts this book above the vast majority of the autobiographies of his contemporaries. A brilliant portrait of one of Ireland’s most fascinating people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZPMZNNSHFECFPK2S3DA7HT6RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218650},"content":"<u><b>My Story by Joe Canning and Vincent Hogan (Gill Books, €21.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6HAXHRPFUZBNBEJQVCHM3B5DWI","additional_properties":{"_id":"Q2M6K7KI7JF6VDQODF5E7SCJ54"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"T6FR676VXRDFFGH3V7IWF4PNLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218651},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/joe-canning/\" target=\"_blank\">Joe Canning</a>’s father, Seán, has the best line in the former Galway hurler’s autobiography. At one stage, Canning is writing about the fact that he has kept a number of critical articles and headlines on his phone, years after they were written. He accepts that this doesn’t really say anything good about his ability to let things go.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WGID42VM3NADNHUQ56PZ2RQ24U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218652},"content":"“My father has this expression when he hears me giving out,” Canning writes. “‘Christ Joe, everybody can’t be a prick!’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PEH5QJMPRFI5OHDWO2T5Q3GMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218653},"content":"This is not to say that Canning’s book is a whingefest or an exercise in score-settling. It’s not that at all. The picture of Canning that emerges from his autobiography is of a man who has always known that his talent would mean finding an accommodation with the outside world – and one whose instinct is to feel uneasy about striking that bargain.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HOJQHVQGOJFMVJKACDW6K67CZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218654},"content":"Consequently, there is a sometimes contradictory sense about him. He has always battled to retain his own privacy and to keep his head generally down. But at the same time, he’s not one bit shy about loading up both barrels and picking off targets when he feels the need.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HH7WMH7WVNDHDGUMFTAKLODTBI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218655},"content":"Ger Loughnane gets a clip or two unloaded on him here, various clubs and county board members in Galway as well. Even Micheál Donoghue and his backroom, the men with whom Canning won his All-Ireland – catch a few strays in the book’s closing chapter, on account of them taking over Dublin and coaching against Galway in the championship.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L2XX2H5S4FEJ3B5TMJXDTV7C3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218656},"content":"Expertly put together along with Vincent Hogan, the picture of Canning that comes out of the book is someone who got everything out of his hurling career while staying true to himself along the way. That was never a given.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KKEKOL5G4BB2XAYBNBHGCG4WJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218657},"content":"<u><b>Whatever It Takes by Richie Hogan and Fintan O’Toole (Gill Books, €21.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BQLLHPV6NNANXINX2BJEOYOQOE","additional_properties":{"_id":"4LOINULKFBD6RGPQXXTKLBAM6Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"L54HZ2YG5ZGLJJDLPTZP6MDQCM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218658},"content":"Richie Hogan doesn’t have a lot of time for waffle or flannel or even really shades of grey. Right throughout this pacy, enjoyable autobiography that he has written with the help of Fintan O’Toole of The 42, Hogan is at all times admirably straightforward. You prepare, you hurl, you win or you lose. You go again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WHYSCQA5EJGTPIDT2TWJKWAGQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218659},"content":"That’s why it feels such a betrayal towards the end of his years with Kilkenny when, after a few dire seasons with injury, he is back fit and firing but can’t get on the pitch. It doesn’t seem to matter that he is lighting up training – Brian Cody and his management can’t be convinced he’ll last the pace. Hogan has it out with Cody – he eventually gets on for the last 10 minutes of the 2022 final and scores his last ever point in Croke Park.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WAVANMH26VEPZDFE6ICQBBKENM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218660},"content":"That Hogan’s back dogged him throughout the second half of his career will come as surprise to nobody. But the extent of it and the lengths he had to go to in order to be able to train and play is jaw-dropping at times. His back spasms have left him lying on the ground in the middle of the street or panned out on the cold floor of a dressingroom toilet, just to be able to get in position for throw-in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W2OYPRFKDJAEPI5ZBNV5UJ5FLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218661},"content":"His relationship with Cody is fascinating. He’s not shy about expressing his frustration that Kilkenny never developed along with the game’s tactical changes and confronts the Kilkenny boss on a few occasions in the book with the sort of candour that others would have baulked at.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C7NPDEUMFJBQ7ITPC3ALMVMHQI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218662},"content":"Throw in some very funny moments – Cha Fitzpatrick’s Cancún adventures would make for a screenplay in and of themselves – and it’s a highly entertaining addition to the Kilkenny canon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6OS7IWXRM5H65NKAATNWOOTQCM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218663},"content":"<u><b>States Of Play by Miguel Delaney (Seven Dials, €15.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNPGCL2IWFA5LABBT76UYAW2S4","additional_properties":{"_id":"GPTVHHATINC23NQXEE6XIEVTUU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RUEBPOSWDBEKZOQWSC6G6J3ATI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218664},"content":"The boiling frog analogy can feel a little overplayed these days but sometimes needs must. The hijacking of professional football by corporate greed and state-aided finance has been such a gradual process that it can often be difficult to assess exactly where we stand with it all. That’s what makes a book like this so necessary.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YF26YOBFQBG3TKQJPW5M34E5HE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218665},"content":"Miguel Delaney is the chief football writer for the Independent in London and his book is an exhaustive account of how the game got itself into state it’s in. It charts the rise of uber-capitalism within soccer, initially in England but throughout Europe and the world as well. The changes over the past 30 years, from the setting up of the Premier League to the involvement of nation states are all in here, expertly gathered into a coherent timeline.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CMLAUX6N65E4DA47NMPIGNOALM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218666},"content":"How Sportswashing Took Over Football is the subtitle but it feels like the term is there as a hook, rather than the whole. While the story of the involvement of the oil nations of Middle East is told here in great detail, it’s only one part of the overall disaster. Football was never meant to be about geopolitics and yet here we are.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BSQNGCJAEJFHXN7TAZRKRCT5XE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218667},"content":"“There can sadly be no illusions about [football’s] role in the 21st century,” Delaney writes towards the end. “It has been a force for autocracy, populism, vested interests, commercialism, hyper-capitalism, ultra-liberalism, the fragmentation of the working classes, the overclass, culture wars, tribalism, soft power and hard power ... It doesn’t need to be like this, though.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AIVNU2IMDJCXZLGRSZTMLVL3XI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218668},"content":"Football needs this book to be read and heard. Part-investigation, part-primal scream, it’s a monumental piece of sports journalism.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTKY4SVQHJDGLFBENPT66TYHQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218637},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>The Rest</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"EADASPVDK5HTLAHNM5MFCWVTOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218671},"content":"With integration (apparently) coming down the tracks, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the LGFA is as good a time as any for <b>Unladylike by Hayley Kilgallon (New Island, €23.99) </b>to hit the shelves. An in-depth history of women’s Gaelic football, it is rich in detail and beautifully illustrated.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QNGV2XL2TVFT5F2VTYOTAFE3KA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218672},"content":"On a completely different historical plane is <b>Lost Gaels by Peadar Thompson (Merrion, €28.99)</b>. A meticulous and heartfelt work, it is a collection of accounts of the lives of GAA members who died during the Troubles. Like all matters to do with the conflict, it is a complex book about which readers are entitled to have mixed feelings. A vital slice of oral history, all the same.","type":"text"},{"_id":"STFALYRARZCUDCPRBPHHETRJF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218673},"content":"Two other GAA books are worth a look. <b>The Epic Origins of Hurling by Joeys Alumni (MCH, €32.00)</b> is a translation of scholarly Irish work done by Brother Liam Ó Cathnia of St Joseph’s in Fairview, Dublin in the 1980s, tracing the initial stirrings of the game back in the 1700s. And <b>Our Finest Hour by Edwin McGreal (Mayo Books, €28.00)</b> is a phenomenal collection of yarns gathered in across every club in Mayo (47 football and five hurling), each telling the story of the greatest day in their history.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WZVXNKQIIRHP7GPYKMVL7MT6GM","additional_properties":{"_id":"RH2WQ5MOARFIBIRYGEWIJKMEGY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RDNSCO3AERE23DNPMD3QYJ3G4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218674},"content":"On the soccer front, <b>Munichs by David Peace (Faber & Faber, €23.20)</b> is a fictional retelling of the 1958 Munich air crash and its aftermath. Epic in scale and depth, it has been gloriously reviewed in most quarters. Turning real life into a novel isn’t to everyone’s taste – and Peace’s insistence on repetition as a writing flourish can be a bit grating at times. But there’s no denying his sincerity in honouring the men who were lost.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QUUHWDOOOJHVJFJ747TTJ5CVIY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218675},"content":"Elsewhere, two titans of the TV football game have books out. <b>The Hamilton Notes by George Hamilton (Merrion, €22.99)</b> is the great commentator’s follow-up to his 2021 memoir. His sunny, warm character shines through a collection of travelogues, anecdotes and recollections.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HF53VK64FNEQPE5ELICDDWXPH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218676},"content":"In a similar vein, <b>Saturday Afternoon Fever by Jeff Stelling (Headline, €15.99)</b> is a delightful jaunt through the Sky presenter’s career and if the yarns maybe aren’t always as funny as Stelling himself imagines, there’s more than enough of them to keep the whole show rolling along.","type":"text"},{"_id":"53XDJHKRHZBNFDSTU4IRTX6PNU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218677},"content":"This being the 150th year of the IRFU’s existence, a couple of timely skips through history have hit the shelves. <b>Blood And Thunder by Liam O’Callaghan (Penguin, €22.99)</b> is the livelier of them, a deeply-researched social history of the game in Ireland that isn’t afraid to poke at the stuffed shirts that have run the game over the years. <b>Together Standing Tall by John Scally (Gill, €27.99)</b> is a more official affair, an oral history covering the games and players from down the decades.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KFFJ4INJNRFUPAKB7GDWKML2FI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218678},"content":"Next, two very different autobiographies by two very different Irish sports personalities. <b>Bend, Don’t Break by Frank O’Mara (O’Brien, €17.99)</b> is the former middle-distance runner’s story of his fight with Parkinson’s disease. Though it’s a bracing, uncomfortable read at times, you are left in total admiration for O’Mara in his battle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DOWBQ6EF2VGJFKM7RESFYN7Z3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218679},"content":"Davy Russell hasn’t faced serious illness but like most jockeys he’s had no shortage of injury to overcome down the years. They’re a feature of <b>My Autobiography by Davy Russell and Donn McClean (Eriu, €22.00)</b>, along with the people he’s fallen in with and out with over the course of a long career. Russell has always been one of the most interesting jockeys in the weigh room and the sense you get here is that he leaves it with very few regrets.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2VVTPGKIE5BPBGZTXTIYBBFRLM","additional_properties":{"_id":"GTGG5KL36JCYBONA6PV5SI3YTU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SP36BI3MGZA2XJZBTGECWBZ2YY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218680},"content":"To finish, some books that are mercifully NOT autobiographies. <b>Death Of A Boxer by Pete Carvill (Biteback, €23.20)</b> is not quite This Bloody Mary Is The Last Thing I Own but it’s fishing in similar waters to Jonathan Rendall’s 1997 classic. Carvill interrogates boxing and specifically he goes rooting around in the psyche of those who get into the ring, even though they know it can end in their death. Even if it’s a little disjointed at times, it’s always thoughtful and always probing, chasing the elusive why.","type":"text"},{"_id":"77IJR6ZO3VDGXF4YNAVEH4OVRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218681},"content":"<b>A Farewell To The Fairways by Dermot Gilleece (Red Stripe Press, €19.99)</b> is a gorgeous sign-off from the doyen of Irish golf writers. Gilleece graced the pages of just about every paper in town over the course of six decades and this is his reflection on it all. The words are exacting and precise now as they ever were, needless to say.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CMJRM72JIBC7TDKAAWFWLXULAQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218682},"content":"On which note, <b>The Year’s Best Sports Writing 2024 edited by Jane McManus (Triumph Books, €24.00)</b> isn’t to be missed. Get it for the Sally Jenkins masterpiece on Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert – Bitter Rivals. Beloved Friends. Survivors – which genuinely worth the cover price all by itself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTKY4SVQHJDGLFBENPT66TYHQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218637},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>The Kids</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HSCMGTWYTJBNXHVKXVGVVOUYAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218685},"content":"Never has there been a greater spread of sports books aimed at young people, from illustrated histories to biographies to YA novels and beyond. <b>The Story of Irish Rugby by Gerard Siggins (O’Brien, €19.99)</b> is the perfect primer for a young person just getting into the game, artfully written by Siggins, author of the popular Rugby Spirit series. Beautifully illustrated by Graham Corcoran, it’s a must for any rugby mad youngster.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MLRSKZ6KWNGQDJKXNCXOGKDOPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218686},"content":"<b>Ireland’s Call by Paul O’Flynn (Gill, €14.99) </b>is a lightly fictionalised retelling of the 2024 Grand Slam, aimed at the 8-11 year-old age range. It keeps to the general story of the Six Nations campaign and scatters a few imagined conversation between players and coaches throughout.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M5XFAKKDRNCR7DGYXYMDFOR6ZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218687},"content":"And for younger readers – or older ones who want to read to them – <b>‘Twas The Match Before Christmas by Julianne McKeigue (O’Brien, €16.99)</b> is a lot of fun. A reworking of the most famous Christmas poem of them all, it’s set in Croke Park and illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald. Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"Johnny Sexon, Joe Canning and Richie Hogan all have highly readable offerings and Miguel Delaney’s book on the hijacking of modern football is not to be missed"},"display_date":"2024-11-30T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sports Books of the Year: Conor Niland’s The Racket the best in a year dominated by autobiographies","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"HSQIAFL7CBDJFPMAUYCWFBEUM4","auth":{"1":"57955f1488272f7f96f48ea653fd839cbf4942161db89faa479143c41e53601b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/HSQIAFL7CBDJFPMAUYCWFBEUM4.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Tennis"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/tennis/2024/11/30/conor-nilands-the-racket-is-the-best-sports-book-in-a-year-dominated-by-autobiographies/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/tennis","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Tennis"}}}},{"_id":"QBD5GHWUNZB2JDXL5GOI3U4ZZA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":205,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/77b1db9e-88d1-43fa-9fe8-067f1254ee57/versions/1732909311/media/94f94bdd6c381651217fa35d4ee58eb5_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/29/jakob-ingebrigtsens-father-charged-after-threat-to-beat-him-to-death/","content_elements":[{"_id":"ETVFCV4XIBGWNBUHUWBVIW7OOA","additional_properties":{},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jakob-ingebrigtsen/\" target=\"_blank\">Jakob Ingebrigtsen</a>’s father will stand trial next year on charges that include abusing the double Olympic champion and threatening to “beat him to death”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VAONE5RUMVBZJBXGHSTHQTQ5AY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ingebrigtsen, who won gold medals over 1,500m in Tokyo and 5,000m in Paris, also alleges that his father and former coach, Gjert, “punched and kicked” him over a 10-year period from when he was a schoolboy.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2MSF5YKQ7RDRBPWER2JMNWDFSU","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Norwegian newspaper VG said it had seen the indictment and that state prosecutors have charged Gjert with beating two of his children at a time when he was also their coach.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SRRD2WGNCRF2PLQHDMN4PU4YT4","additional_properties":{},"content":"According to the paper, Gjert is also accused of calling his son a “thug” and a “terrorist”, and threatened to “shame him and knock him out of health”. Ingebrigtsen snr denies the allegations. According to VG, the trial is likely to last about eight weeks, with 30 to 40 witnesses expected to be called.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZA4NGCZBQRG7JLOBHAZCZCDPMU","additional_properties":{},"content":"The assistant attorney Mette Yvonne Larsen added: “This was as expected based on the evidence situation. It is a very serious indictment that extends over a period of many years.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CARQACK4SJASZGRPJJMFIUVOM4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Gjert and his sons became part of a long-running and popular reality television show in Norway, but in 2022 he stepped down as the coach of “Team Ingebrigtsen”, apparently for medical reasons.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VOBBVNUSBRDZPPMA7VZ2WWG6IQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"However, Jakob and his brothers Henrik and Filip – who are also accomplished middle-distance runners – subsequently called on the Norwegian athletics federation to help them avoid Gjert in international events, given their father coaches the 2023 world 1,500m bronze medallist, Narve Gilje Nordås.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YEFDOK2NRZCLXJ764Z47O6E3VA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We have grown up with a father who has been very aggressive and controlling and who has used physical violence and threats as part of his upbringing,” the brothers wrote. “We still feel discomfort and fear which has been in us since childhood.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"J562VDNT3BEGJPEYJPYPLJBP3Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"According to VG, Jakob has since told investigators about the alleged physical and mental abuse both towards himself and his siblings.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JTIFJVTTWNGMNHPRDQZPMYM2IM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“He has explained that he has been hit in the head several times by his father, Gjert,” the paper says. “In one situation, the abuse lasted for 15 to 30 minutes, the running star has explained to the police. Another episode concerns kicking. The situations Jakob Ingebrigtsen has explained in questioning extend over a number of years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGSHPOG52FGU3MCSBXJKLTAGV4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Several other family members have given explanations that support what Jakob Ingebrigtsen has told in questioning, according to VG’s information.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"T2HR52ESYZGHTEO3O4J65VQNKA","additional_properties":{},"content":"John Christian Elden and Heidi Reisvang, the lawyers acting for Gjert, maintain their client rejects the accusations and says “the decision on prosecution has been rushed”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VKU4MRDST5B2VHDCKQU5WRUNLI","additional_properties":{},"content":"In comments made last year, Gjert added: “The statements they make are baseless. I have never used violence against my children. That I have weaknesses as a father, and have been too much of a coach, is a realisation I have also come to, albeit far too late.” - Guardian","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sean Ingle"}]},"description":{"basic":"Gjert Ingebrigtsen used to coach Jakob and his brothers"},"display_date":"2024-11-29T18:18:10.095Z","headlines":{"basic":"Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s father charged after threat to ‘beat him to death’ ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"OZBLG62RSQ5OT2VBWT7XKR6XQ4","auth":{"1":"4221442f605193d3a11c8c8342742a891a9514619f0894401e41a9da758cbd62"},"focal_point":{"x":1739,"y":296},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OZBLG62RSQ5OT2VBWT7XKR6XQ4.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/29/jakob-ingebrigtsens-father-charged-after-threat-to-beat-him-to-death/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"G24KP7LDSBBO5JUOTBJYYSDF3M","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":829,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/539f9165-1a54-4053-b528-c104d7e5c49d/versions/1732272511/media/e2cf7ae506a15e6ba525b76df89c757e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/23/the-bird-shaped-obsession-that-drives-james-crombie-one-of-irelands-best-sports-photographers/","content_elements":[{"_id":"WPTQVDNLEZCPJJVT7A6GYB3NZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571234},"content":"James Crombie knew nothing about birds when this all started. Couldn’t have told you a starling from a swallow. When a friend told him he should take some pictures of the murmurations around Lough Ennell, his first job was to go away and google what the hell a murmuration was.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YDXBPRGVFBHPJP5NM7MIMKUTKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571235},"content":"That was four years ago. Ireland was in the maw of the pandemic and the normal run of his day job as a sports photographer had slowed to a crawl. He was looking for something to divert himself and also to distract his buddy, who had recently been through a family tragedy. And so began, in December 2020, a project that would produce the most famous photograph he is ever likely to take.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7YHHZAMPCNB43OVG4KHQMIXGPA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571236},"content":"Crombie’s astonishing bird-shaped murmuration didn’t just go viral, it went global. It appeared first on the front page of The Irish Times on March 4th, 2021 and from there, it went everywhere. To parts known and unknown – National Geographic, CNN, The New Scientist, everywhere else.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KZNPGYDFNBHR5PGRKXD4HZYCOI","additional_properties":{"_id":"2LWP7EWSTFATFKEGLSXGGOGWIY"},"content":"Lough Ennell murmurations seen on video just as James Crombie captures the famous photo","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"I3REI6Z5INC7FAQZQGTK4ZF2KQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571238},"content":"“In the three years since I took it, I’d say not a day goes by without someone mentioning it to me,” Crombie says. “I’ve taken pictures since then that I personally think are better but they will never get the attention that that picture got. I go to the UK and run into photographers over there and they go, ‘Here’s the Bird Man’. Every weekend, it happens somewhere.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZKGCAZR765DNBEXXXWW25XDJUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571239},"content":"“Which is fine and great – it’s not as if I’m hiding from it. I’m publishing a fecking book off the back of it! But it is funny trying to live up to it. And I don’t think I ever will or ever can, really. I spent the year after I took it half-annoyed because I was going, ‘How am I going to get the next thing that causes that sort of reaction?’ I felt this pressure to deliver something else as good as it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"6OAGE3QJUJATZILFW5VIH2KU6U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571240},"content":"But as everyone who ever did anything good knows, reaction is an unstable pleasure. It’s a dopamine hit. It doesn’t last and it can’t be why you do it. Crombie took The Bird photo on his 50th night going to Lough Ennell. He kept going back for another 250 nights over the following three years. Why?","type":"text"},{"_id":"3PI6MUVQPKXVYUPQAJVZYBHDVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"2L4SUKSP55C7NCO4QYRJJJESQ4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JT3P5DQV3ZHVFAYL6VEZ54664U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571241},"content":"Well, he did it because it became a way to spend time with his friend. He did it because he made another friend, a local farmer, along the way and the three of them became ever so slightly obsessed with these birds. He did it because it was a change of pace too, because there’s only so many kicks you can get from the rolling schedule of live matches.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BDFEAKMND5CZ5OQW4VSOMRWKJA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571242},"content":"“It’s funny because I get completely consumed by sport. Last weekend I was at the Aviva and there were 50,000 rugby fans there. And then I was in Twickenham with 82,000 people and then I was in Cardiff with 52,000 people. So at the weekend, I worked in front of nearly 200,000 people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3XPKJFAWRRDQPMCKCVLSQBNZYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571243},"content":"“And then on the Tuesday night I went to the lake where there was nobody. It was quiet and peaceful and I just thought, I love the contrast in that. I kind of need that as well. Because you go from game to game, they often just become the same thing at a different venue. I’m as mad into it as I ever was but I know it’s not possible to produce amazing photographs from every event you go to. I know that sometimes you do a match in cruise control.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FIMLZ7OPJG2RJDZ2VLCCRFNZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571244},"content":"“So to go down to the lake and just be there, knowing that nobody is going to care what I produce or if I don’t produce anything, I like that. I’m there on my own, I’m not on the phone, there’s no pressure.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JLGWYMQDGZD6LCL7BWRZWIBX3A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571245},"content":"Crombie has won plenty of awards down the years, twice taking the overall PPI Photographer of the Year gong. And yet, much like with the starlings, he ended up being a snapper almost by happenstance. He did an aptitude test in secondary school and somehow the career guidance answer that came back said he should be a fishmonger. He ended up in IT and went to London for three years, working in a bank. That was never going to be it, either.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5SNCONO2LVHJY4RC7QVZUAJAUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"5PGTKKJSEZFXJMJDMSLUFIRGNA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CCDEAOW35FEXNFL7ZOXPZ3IXQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571246},"content":"All the while, he was interested in photography, as a hobby as much as anything. He came back to Ireland and tootled about in a couple of other jobs for a while until a chance came along to take part in a reality TV series called No Experience Required. The idea was that various companies – among them the Inpho sports photography agency – would audition people who had never worked in a particular area before and at the end, take them on to the staff for six months.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HT73SWP3MNGIFODXJTSM5TW7KA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571247},"content":"“I always joke with Billy [Stickland, founder of Inpho] that if I hadn’t won that show, I’d be earning 300 grand a year now and have a second villa down in Spain. But no, I chose sport and photography instead. And it’s been amazing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"J63UGHRMHZG4NMYDLHGSYMRQ5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571248},"content":"“I would say it took me 10 years to get comfortable with it. I was obsessed from the start. For most of that first six months, I was sitting in the office obsessed with how the other lads were cropping pictures, obsessed with settings, obsessed with the equipment. Eventually, near the end, one of them said to me, ‘Here, are you not going to go out and take any pictures? They won’t keep you on if you don’t.’","type":"text"},{"_id":"O5Y6JHVT7RHR5LEM2E4HGFT7EA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571249},"content":"“It nearly hadn’t occurred to me that I could go out and take them, weird as that sounds. I half-thought I had to stay in the office. So I went out every night to a different football match – Dublin championship, intermediate games, junior games, down to Wicklow for more games then. I still have those pictures and they’re brutal. But that’s how it started.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2WBDUKYNAZFAVGKTUWNKKOY7SI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571250},"content":"The bulk of the job is matches. Rugby, soccer, hurling, football, wash, rinse, repeat. He brings an analogue radio with him to every match – digital radio commentary is always about 40 seconds behind the action. It means that he can be looking around during a game, staying engaged but still able to find pictures away from the pitch.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5Z5KWLJQGVFRBLH3ABMB27QFNM","additional_properties":{"_id":"4WK5YTBCLJBCXPOVFBWEBPZUAQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SX3G4MQSENFHPDC6JHRXIALT7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571251},"content":"“I think you need to keep some element of nervousness when you go to games. You don’t want to be too comfortable. If Dublin or Limerick are attacking in the last play of an All-Ireland final, your nerves have to be high because you don’t want to miss the shot.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M56DQVFNCZHSRFV5WIXMY3L5VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571252},"content":"“I remember this year with Clare and Cork in the All-Ireland final, the Clare guy pulled the Cork guy’s jersey – I got a great shot of it. The jersey is nearly off him. I really thought, ‘How is that not a free?’ This is going to be the pivotal shot. And it didn’t become the pivotal shot because the free wasn’t given.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L7HYUXRLKBE5TL3ANMYUONBF6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571253},"content":"“Those last shots are where you have to be nervous. I’d say something like that happens maybe 10 times in a year. You know it, you can feel it in the stadium, the last play is so important and you don’t want to mess it up. You need that little bit of edge.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GINBGRWVKZCDHFL25TXYHDGOKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571254},"content":"The murmuration project was entirely without edge, of course. Which was kind of the point. Crombie is married to Ann – they’ve been together since they were teenagers and have four kids. Having a day job that takes him away at weekends and sometimes for weeks at a time is bad enough. Heading off to hang out with a couple of thousand starlings for 300 nights over four years requires a fair bit of understanding on the home front.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OFBPU25H6VBFRCA6OWVP4DLRZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571255},"content":"“I would definitely say it’s selfish on my part. I’m gone a lot with sport in the first place. And then to find another reason to be away, it’s a lot. But I met my wife when we were 17. We know each other that long. She manages me, as much as people would have managed Paul McGrath back in the day. Occasionally she’ll say, ‘Right, cop on here.’ But she knows me better than anyone.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2O726S5CQRCTRLICMWPKWS6ZJE","additional_properties":{"_id":"RGDSYRHTXJA5VPGTIHHQ76YMGQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UTPUWOGV4NBT5DTXS2YT3K7MKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571256},"content":"When the book arrived a couple of weeks back, Crombie’s initial reaction surprised him a little. Delighted and all as he is with it, he couldn’t help being sad at the whole thing coming to an end. Or at least an end of sorts.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TAFXVJWI45FQNG2NYRHSGNLDLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571257},"content":"The starlings have been coming to Lough Ennell to roost in winter for as far back as anyone can remember. It’s about half an hour’s drive from his house. He’ll never not be able to head out with his camera to shoot them. Will he ever snap another picture like the one he did three years ago? Probably not. Will he ever stop being asked about it. Equally probably not.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PRS4ORNROZAGLOCVHHYO6KOT7M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571258},"content":"One answer that has never been properly nailed down is the why of it. Why did those thousands of starlings form themselves into the shape of a bird of prey that evening in April 2021? Murmurations are for protection, that much is well known. But why that particular shape for that particular millisecond? Pure coincidence? Or something deeper?","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRV42PVP3FBF7HLACXOQJPLKJA","additional_properties":{"_id":"GCCIAYMVNBBKZKOJJ6FOXMYT3A"},"content":"How Ireland won relay gold in June 2024: Ten photographs that tell the story of a golden night for Irish athletics","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6YJALFHY3FCFNI2V6EIM5ISCNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571259},"content":"“I’d like to think it’s something deeper,” Crombie says. “There was another shape that looked like a water wren that same night, within three or four minutes of the one I got. But I’m pretty sure it’s just by chance. I’ve had comments over the years saying it’s a sign of the end of the world, praising Allah, praising God, whatever else. I don’t know.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZBH6HLWSENCPVC3FO7YGWPMCNI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571260},"content":"“I don’t think they did it on purpose. If I was standing at a slightly different angle, it wouldn’t have looked like a bird. We just happened to be at the exact perfect angle. So I don’t know. It was probably just pure chance.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5GFT2JUJNVFYZP2SKHN6ERPVSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571261},"content":"♦ <i>Murmurations by James Crombie is published by Lilliput Press</i>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QPPNCSYXZJCMJJMHPPFHFGBFBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571263},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><u><b>The art of sports photography: How It Works</b></u></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WAK347OGJ5H2LOGAVRX6YNAKLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571264},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Fionn McGivern (2) watches Kilkenny v Clare, July 2023</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"C3ZS43T4DFGZVJL7NZT2UAMP7I","additional_properties":{"_id":"TANYOHGPHZGN7HFGMJIPNK5ZK4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GY6OIZLS5VAUJJDU7OTXJSORCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571265},"content":"I was watching this little kid for about seven or eight minutes while the game was going on. I was very relaxed that day. I was looking for something different and I remember spotting that little kid out of the corner of my eye. I had the game going on in my little analogue radio so I knew I could turn and get anything if I needed to.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KQXRS2RJTVF5NMEXUWDDZRMD5A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571266},"content":"But this little lad was just there and I followed him for about seven or eight minutes, maybe nine. Just waiting for him to get into that perfect stance, the way he is in the shot. I got a great buzz out of it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6RVSHG7E5CHTGM65P6ZFZSXJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571267},"content":"The kid was from Antrim. His parents were massive Kilkenny fans. They were down for the game. Somebody found them afterwards and did a story on them and they ended up getting tickets for the final because of it. The kid ended up being interviewed on Kilkenny radio. That one was good fun.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TERUBBZQXBBW5OJGWMT7TATVMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571268},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Supporter at Covid-era club championship match, September 2020</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WKYH26EULJC53CBW5ZMXK5X7DQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"7DJA2QWJBRBK5DUT6ZA6FBTSDM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZPRHSIW7UZBHRLWTFZ5TIZJZUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571269},"content":"Sport had just started back but no crowds were allowed at games yet. This was a Roscommon semi-final between St Brigid’s and Boyle. I was taking pictures of it when I saw this head poking up over the wall behind the goal. So I said I’d go out and have a look.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OGSLXOEIQFCPTPTRDCXSFC5Z6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571270},"content":"I got out into this graveyard behind Dr Hyde Park. This guy had carried his ladder all the way through the graveyard and propped it up. I didn’t want to disturb him in case he fell off so I took a few snaps and happened to get this one just as Boyle scored.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SWVPBHFZUFGJRNZHRQRS54QIIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571271},"content":"I went over to him then and asked could I publish the photo. “Oh Jesus no,” he said. “I’m not supposed to be here.” There were still restrictions at that stage on how far from your house you were allowed to go. But I said I wouldn’t use his name and would only show him from the back so he was okay with it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7MJDUH5N6FDD3IWQ4VG52CWUQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571272},"content":"A few weeks later, his daughter got on to me and asked could she get the original. Apparently it went viral and everyone recognised him. He ended up doing a two-page spread in the Roscommon Herald.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JUQWNP6PJVGELOVE3YBLGZB4PQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571273},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Connacht bench at a Challenge Cup game in Siberia, January 2016</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OU3RZX3H5VFNPJ345V6ZT5KFK4","additional_properties":{"_id":"BOQMHUSUFVAD3LPVGMOXNYIVAM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AFPKXQKOWRFEFOGF62HR3CMJMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571274},"content":"This was a mad adventure. Enisei-STM were the first Russian club to play in the Challenge Cup and Connacht went to Siberia for the game. We were told there could be up to 30,000 at it – we turned up and there were about 400 there. It was the coldest I’ve ever been, the harshest conditions I’ve ever seen a match be played in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3T2VO6K5ENF6DN4MCXLU5LLDRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571275},"content":"I had about a dozen layers on me and I was still frozen solid. I saw the Connacht bench from the far side of the pitch but it took me about 10 minutes to walk around because I nearly seized up with the cold. They had blankets and hot water bottles and hot chocolates for when they came off the pitch.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XLAHJY22SZAXDDO3E25X46IWSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571276},"content":"It took us about a week to get home. The charter plane Connacht had hired hadn’t moved for four days and was completely frozen solid when we got back to it. So we had no way of getting out of there. By the time we did, our five-day visas had run out. We had to fly to Moscow to get our visas renewed just to leave the country. Players got processed first, officials next. I’d say I was pretty much the last one out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"It started as a pandemic distraction but ended up producing probably the most famous photo the Westmeath man will ever take - the murmuration that went around the world"},"display_date":"2024-11-23T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"The bird-shaped obsession that drives James Crombie, one of Ireland’s best sports photographers ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","auth":{"1":"9c9585a82889598a9b724aeaa7c117136eb5fae92b5527345c4515158f27bbc0"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI.jpg"},"lead_art":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","type":"image"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","auth":{"1":"9c9585a82889598a9b724aeaa7c117136eb5fae92b5527345c4515158f27bbc0"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/23/the-bird-shaped-obsession-that-drives-james-crombie-one-of-irelands-best-sports-photographers/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/gaelic-games","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Gaelic Games"}}}},{"_id":"TYAQML7CQ5AKXCCDPKRTOEQSWA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":522,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/8ee0858b-98f8-4577-aa1c-e924f007e309/versions/1732135265/media/f4fedd71f1d95521bf623a83a4d29265_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/21/ciara-mageean-i-just-felt-numb-it-wasnt-even-sadness-it-was-just-emptiness/","content_elements":[{"_id":"LN2WJP2YQBE4XCKLL2JQH5MAOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002472},"content":"This is still not easy. Downstairs, the great and good of Irish athletics are gathering for their annual awards, celebrating a year that launched track and field back into the mainstream. In a while, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a> will go and get her gúna on and head down to be feted for the European gold she won in Rome in June. But first, Paris.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2LTNXAG6S5HLROOZ2PVRN2M6VQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002473},"content":"It’s still all just a bit raw. Nothing compared to what it was on that Monday in August when she had to admit defeat and pull out of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic</a> 1,500m. But still enough for her voice to catch a couple of times as we speak, for the devastation she felt to bubble briefly to the surface.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HPBTSBA32JBDFJFHEANZPRYJZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002474},"content":"“Sport is a little microcosm of life,” she explains. “You experience all the emotions other people get throughout their lives all in one little season, or one little sporting career. There’s been a few moments in my life where I’ve felt sheer grief and loss – the loss of my grandmother when I was at university, she died far too young. Whenever Jerry [Kiernan] passed away and I was in Manchester, I wasn’t at home and I hadn’t really had as much of a connection as I always wanted to have. I thought I’d come home and have Jerry the rest of my life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UP3QHK2Z2JENZNZWSACOBDGAVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002475},"content":"“It always feels kind of crass to compare sport to that but it quite often gives you the same emotions. It was grief. The loss of a dream. It’s my life’s work and it’s everything that I’ve put all of my energy into. But also all of those people around me have put their lives and things on pause and on hold to pursue my dreams.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A4UGCZP7LJAXDLU7SRJB535HMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002476},"content":"“It really is a grieving cycle. It’s a loss, a loss of a dream and having to come to that realisation really quickly and so publicly, to have to feel that you need to talk about it ... it’s probably one of the reasons why I needed a little bit of gap and a bit of space because I couldn’t have coherently put a sentence together to tell you remotely how I felt. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know how I felt. I just felt numb. It wasn’t even sadness, it was just emptiness.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTPOC2UYUVCHVFOJVE2NVJXDWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002477},"content":"The Achilles injury that caused her to pull out is something that had been in the post for a while. She reckons she hasn’t run properly pain-free in about eight years. She had surgery on her left ankle when she was 19 and has been carrying the right one for much of the time since. Essentially, it’s genetic bad luck – she has bone spurs that have been jabbing away at her Achilles all this time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EIMQY6E42NF4PEHHMKST4BSYYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002478},"content":"She has been considering surgery for years but the timing was never right. She was running too well to risk it, hitting too many of her targets to throw all the cards in the air and see how they’d fall in the operating theatre. So she lived with it, figuring she would see it out until Paris at least.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5WQKDCWT35DP7CZWU6JSCDTJOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002479},"content":"“I always knew it was a ticking time bomb and that it would go off eventually. I always hoped that it would be at the end of the season. I’ll be honest, I was reflecting on the season and going, ‘At the end of this summer, I’ll get the ankle sorted. I can’t keep going like this.’ But my last training session before the Games, for no reason, in the last rep, it just gave me an extra bit of pain.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ANMCIWKUKOI4OLXNNZMDF3XMEM","additional_properties":{"_id":"CBYHMCLQ6VFDVOL3BKDRTBJ6KE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"4WHCHVMPN5CSLL3INPMZ4SS6TA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002480},"content":"She wasn’t panicking yet. But she could feel this was different from the usual pain she had after a session. She had an MRI and it showed the same as it always shows – the whole area around her ankle was banjaxed but it was hard to distinguish what was old damage and what was new. She flew to Paris and went to the athletes’ village to meet up with the Irish medical team, desperate for something that would get her to the start line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OLVNSFQC6BBMHFH4CVMCPQ2RK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002481},"content":"“I had two cortisone injections down into my ankle. You get a TUE [Therapeutic Use Exemption] from the doc so close to the Games to help you deal with the pain. But any injection with cortisone around the tendon carries its own inherent risk because it can have a degenerative effect on a tendon, particularly your Achilles, and you don’t want that as an athlete.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E6TAWXOYQRD37KNKST247TFIAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002482},"content":"“The doc explained the pros and cons of this to me, giving this in the hope that it might settle it all down but we also didn’t know if it would fix it. Unfortunately, for me, it didn’t and it was no longer an issue of me overcoming pain. The function in my ankle was affected because I couldn’t toe off. I was trying to stride and put my foot down and it was just flat.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"PZQNEKSRSVAE5FVJXU2PTIGQYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002483},"content":"When she tried to run, she could only do 32 seconds for 200 metres. Going into a championship, she would generally be aiming for 28. It was over.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AUHHNIDLUZGNTKSITJJHS37G3I","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002484},"content":"“I had to admit to myself it was no longer an issue of going out and trying to do my best out there. I had to admit that I couldn’t even make myself get around a 1,500m track like this. I sat down with the doc the day before and said was there anything I could do? And he said no and your health is more important. And I said I don’t care! It’s the Olympic Games! But I knew if I toed the line, I wouldn’t have confidence that I would finish the race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X4AHAC5DOZGODP4MBGNKBR627U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002485},"content":"“And so, I came out of the office and sat in the village with Thomas [her boyfriend] and we had a discussion. I knew I had to make my mind up. I sat down and said this is my third Olympic Games and if I don’t toe the line, I am not a three-time Olympian.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IDHUMJ65ZRBSDKCAGMRT5V4JQI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002486},"content":"“Thomas reminded me that I am not here just to show up. If I am coming to the Olympics, I am here to be competitive. I am a fourth-place finisher in the Worlds last year, I am European gold medallist. Make the decision that is best for me. So I decided to withdraw and that was the hardest decision I ever had to make.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LC5PP5NX3NEPBKQ6WKVW6BT7GQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002487},"content":"“I was like, ‘Right I better go and tell the doc and begin whatever process needs to happen to withdraw from an Olympic Games.’ Thomas sat beside me, we had a hug and he said, ‘You’re still European gold medallist from this year, don’t forget that.’","type":"text"},{"_id":"AZWTFSUBVOOZE7S2OFAZTXCIEI","additional_properties":{"_id":"6YTXX2FMWNA7LBEPSNEBNAOJQY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"H7VSWJAQYBDX5HJW5PBZV2ENV4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002488},"content":"“He said that you got your gold medal finally in Rome and Italy was a very special place for Jerry. And he said you know, maybe it’s meant to be. LA was Jerry’s Olympics so we’re going to focus on that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7JTC7CZUJJHRRAWL7UTKGJ3YKI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002489},"content":"“In that moment I decided that yes, that Olympic dream was over in Paris but that wasn’t the end of my Olympic dreams. That I was going to focus on another four-year cycle.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XSUQHUNGEVCMTML5X56AURK4PY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002490},"content":"So here she is. Better now, mostly better. She had her ankle surgery 10 weeks ago – same surgeon in fact, a decade on from the last one. She and Thomas have moved their life to Belfast and she’s building a team around her with 2028 in mind.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NHPGOKKSFZHVFC3BQRGZXQIXNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002491},"content":"She fully aims to be back running and competing by the time the World Championships come around in Tokyo next September. She’s calling the whole thing Ciara 3.0, gleefully aware of how naff that sounds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EDUOMOBGQRBDBKUXNNGHVXBTYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002492},"content":"“Sometimes you have to put it into perspective. I’ve done a lot of work since, been told the way it is. The hard facts are, you just need to get over it. You can either carry this thing around on your shoulders and let it burden you and be a weight going forward, or you can say, ‘D’you know what? Life’s not fair sometimes.’","type":"text"},{"_id":"TLKGFGYBHJGUJHQWE4O77VEHZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002493},"content":"“Sometimes you just need to get over that, and say it isn’t fair, but what you’re going to do is make a plan and move forward. For me, I started making plans. I started looking at houses back home. I arranged my surgery and did what I needed to do to take the next step forward, keep creating new goals to look at.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WXT3DFKMHFAW5IFDUZASZUZ4TA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002494},"content":"“I had a lovely message from Katie Mullan [Ireland hockey player] – and I’ll be honest, a lot of messages I didn’t even get around to because I didn’t even have the capacity to reply to them all. Chatting to Katie, I distinctly remember meeting her out in the Institute before I headed off to the Games and just thinking how sad and empty she looked because their Olympic dream was over, they didn’t qualify.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S2G7HGRSQ5DDBAB3IDDIFIMEC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002495},"content":"“She said [in the message], ‘I don’t know if I even know how you feel.’ I was like, ‘No, I believe you do, because you know what it feels like to put absolutely everything in.’ To put all of your eggs in the one basket because you have to. And for it not to come true and to actually walk away with nothing, not even the consolation prize, is heartbreaking.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4YN4IC5SBJCVBC7CQJSZNRSJRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002496},"content":"“But that’s sport. I make the decision to put my eggs in that basket because when it pays off, by God it’s beautiful. And when it doesn’t, it’s okay. Because you can say I have no regrets, I gave it absolutely everything, and sometimes, like I’ve been, you’re just really unlucky. I’m really unlucky to have been given two Achilles heels that are my Achilles heels!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"The Down athlete reflects on the devastation she felt at having to pull out of the Olympics on the eve of the Games"},"display_date":"2024-11-21T09:18:24.439Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ciara Mageean: ‘I just felt numb. It wasn’t even sadness, it was just emptiness’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"SFGCFWBFKBF3LHWNZU4M7YAOBQ","auth":{"1":"ddc7fdab8d21285ea4c5ee42b2fa3932c2a52a0ee528fad6f3079e676ab142ce"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SFGCFWBFKBF3LHWNZU4M7YAOBQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/21/ciara-mageean-i-just-felt-numb-it-wasnt-even-sadness-it-was-just-emptiness/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"ZGZ56D2JSRENJDJREYIZVEK7WE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":349,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/16696ad1-8eff-4f00-bfdf-8cc343ad1719/versions/1731088520/media/feef627c9fad19f465477a19413265f3_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/09/no-sporting-comeback-is-entirely-risk-free-but-always-worth-the-gamble/","content_elements":[{"_id":"PNBY4Q6DTBCQBLUF2BT4F7NMZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806368},"content":"Just because you live in the Dublin Mountains doesn’t mean you’re far enough away from hearing any of the rumours coming down from <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/donegal-gaa/\" target=\"_blank\">Donegal</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7TYEKJLW4ZGHXBYTX77EQZ3LXY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806369},"content":"As a matter of fact, a close neighbour with strong ties in the highlands reliably informed me a few weeks ago that <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/michael-murphy/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Murphy </a>was unquestionably still playing the best club football in Donegal, and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/jim-mcguinness/\" target=\"_blank\">Jim McGuinness </a>will have him back next year, just wait and see.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z7RDAC3NKZBMDMQA3Y2WCLQWJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806370},"content":"The problem with any of these sporting comeback rumours is that there’s no knowing the exact source. What is certain in Murphy’s case is that he was done with intercounty football, announcing his retirement this time two years ago at age 33 and building a wall of reasons — including starting a <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2024/10/17/michael-murphy-played-well-gaa-football-is-as-good-as-any-game-in-the-world-we-set-out-to-improve-its-chances/\" target=\"_blank\">popular column with news organisation </a>— as to why he wouldn’t be changing his mind on that. Forget about it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JVRWOKPPUFBGNKVE376YLC3B5A","additional_properties":{"_id":"57KKULA4JNF4NJF3OXRBQI6ZII"},"content":"Michael Murphy ends intercounty retirement to rejoin Donegal footballers","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"Z5BZNVEBB5D5XH3NUZ6XTAIG6I","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781987},"content":"So when the Donegal county board announced on Wednesday that they were <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/06/michael-murphy-ends-intercounty-retirement-to-rejoin-donegal-footballers/\" target=\"_blank\">“happy to confirm the return of All-Ireland winning captain Michael Murphy to the Donegal squad for the 2025 season”</a>, well that had the famous McGuinness power of persuasion written all over it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NLKY4VDCWBC6DGHR34MWH2KMSE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806372},"content":"As sporting comebacks come and go in this country this is big, and while Murphy is still only 35 — or as repeatedly pointed out this week the same age as Paul Conway from Galway, who has just been named the 2024 Footballer of the Year — his two-year absence from the intercounty game must be of some concern.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JKUEAKUVFNFATLQHML5QMYPKLI","additional_properties":{"_id":"OYY7ISJQRJAMNENSOZQMOY36WI"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"NYNJLS7KZ5HA3PBI52SXKM67TU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781990},"content":"The drive for any comeback on this scale needs to come mostly from the within the player. With five Ulster titles and five All Stars along with his 2012 All-Ireland, Murphy has nothing more to prove. The talk of the new playing rules having something to do with his decision, and Murphy himself was part of the draft process, may carry some weight, but this is not an entirely risk-free exercise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TLSDOXMLDFE3DELFHRBCHZ4CCY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806374},"content":"Compare it to the other big sporting comeback of recent years, when Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton showed up unannounced for a league match against Louth in Croke Park in March 2023. Like Murphy, Cluxton had been two full years away from the game. Unlike Murphy, he was 41.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZVW2JQOGZFWNFHCFVP2Q44MJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806375},"content":"There are lots of people who will tell you that Dublin would not have won back the All-Ireland that same year without Cluxton, but that comeback was his decision and his alone. His was possibly unique too in that he may not have seen any risk involved.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GLQTKBOQQFCSTHUTPL3Y5WCVRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"WMY56ZAZANCIPJ3FB5EFZFRZLE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KK2AMR52UFFXBFS4CDNA7YXKRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731082450758},"content":"One of my favourite stories of the football comeback is that of Kerry defender Mike McCarthy, who retired at the end of 2006 after a towering performance over Mayo in the All-Ireland. When Jack O’Connor made his own comeback as manager in 2009, he tried repeatedly to lure McCarthy out of retirement, had effectively given up, until McCarthy showed up at training one evening. Just like that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SBTIVCQ6HJCN5LX3FNHOZCQ6XY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806377},"content":"F Scott Fitzgerlad said that in American lives there is always room for a comeback, but you just can’t come back all the way. Every sport has its own set of comeback possibilities, effectively depending on its level of physicality; and in boxing we know no great career is complete without at least one comeback too many.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNIIEX3DD5AXRF2VR3KHO4WTRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806378},"content":"In a sport of sheer athleticism, such as athletics, once that power of peak performance starts to fade it’s never coming back. And as tempting as it must have been for Usain Bolt to extend his career beyond the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London, when he was just shy of turning 31, most people will say he choose wisely. When about two years later Bolt touched base with his old coach Glen Mills about the possibility of making a comeback, he was politely told to forget it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PYANOB5LVCE3P7XHCOR235CPI","additional_properties":{"_id":"JW3PEIC3URBJFIRBU3G2HBU42E"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"OXVEEZIEDJEOHHJKBFH5BIMBO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781998},"content":"“When you retire, that’s it, we’re not going to do any comeback tour,” said Mills.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DYRXZA7QZZFJ7NSELKGXBQCWLM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806380},"content":"There are athletic comeback possibilities in other ways, and after Eamonn Coghlan retired after the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, 12 years after finishing fourth in Montreal in 1976, he was already getting on past the peak of his running power too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WE24YH6UVFGXZKLKJYQIYAINRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806381},"content":"Still, after a couple of mildly fattening winters Coghlan felt he simply had to get back on track in some shape or form, so starting with the 1993 season set himself the goal of becoming the first man over 40 to run a sub-four-minute mile. Just when it seemed that might prove slightly more difficult than Coghlan had imagined, he ran 3:58.15 at the Harvard Indoor Track, at age 41, and never raced competitively again. But what a beautiful sign-off.","type":"text"},{"_id":"APCFWVKN4ZHEVMGVQ5DWYFLR3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806382},"content":"Behind every sporting comeback there is also the question of what price? Lance Armstrong will forever stand out on this one, given his comeback from cancer to win the Tour de France on seven consecutive occasions, from 1999 to 2005, selling 30 million yellow bracelets along the way, before then announcing his comeback from retirement in 2009 when he finished third in the Tour.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ET2VCBVKJRC5DD7RBJXQUPU22I","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806383},"content":"There is no reason not to believe Armstrong might never have been caught for his systematic doping regime during those seven Tour wins if hadn’t returned in 2009 to try to win one more. But it was all the ammunition that US anti-doping needed to try to nail him one last time and so Armstrong’s sporting comeback would instead prove the ultimate sporting downfall.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SIGDXRDPXFACTNTPRYMNWSKELQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"M3QS47527JFNDOUMKGCM5SKZ7I"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"ADCXTIBNJJCRZETDXNAMHV2XKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085782004},"content":"“Listen, I deserve this,” he told Oprah Winfrey on that revelatory January night of 2013. “It was win at all costs. When I was diagnosed [with cancer] I would do anything to survive. I took that attitude — win at all costs — to cycling. That’s bad.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HGEBUMPDC5HXJIF7MFU5NNCLZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806385},"content":"“I see the anger in people, betrayal, it’s all there. People who believed in me and supported me and they have every right to feel betrayed and it’s my fault and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to earn back trust and apologise to people.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZZH4MVYNZBUVBXK5LPSIE3HBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806386},"content":"Armstong paid the ultimate price for his comeback, but there was an element of greed about it too, which is also why any sporting comeback should also be driven by modest ambition. Such as walking back up the steps of the Hogan Stand. In Murphy’s case that’s not risk-free, but certainly worth the gamble.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Donegal’s decorated Michael Murphy the latest sporting talisman to roll the dice a successful return"},"display_date":"2024-11-09T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"No sporting comeback is entirely risk-free, but always worth the gamble","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"LAA5PTZEMBANIN3HTF7HG55JPA","auth":{"1":"ba4de126c28c7117d99358e8d2e6179738bfec018c9a82eb618247a3fd9279bc"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/LAA5PTZEMBANIN3HTF7HG55JPA.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/09/no-sporting-comeback-is-entirely-risk-free-but-always-worth-the-gamble/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/gaelic-games","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Gaelic Games"}}}},{"_id":"AF37A4THPVFBZMA6QZZUMYDWDI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":395,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/1052554d-c41c-4148-a64a-604f45bc9b5d/versions/1730996719/media/dcab1602c872c95b09c99b11a180ffa1_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/08/sonia-osullivan-a-jog-down-olympic-memory-lane-shows-how-far-irish-athletes-have-come/","content_elements":[{"_id":"2CUE5KCLVBGWPCRVGUDOGPXMPA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482621},"content":"Every now and then I get sent a reminder of that RTÉ clip of me after winning the national senior cross-country as a schoolgirl in 1987, in Killenaule, Co Tipperary. It was my first television interview, and I managed to announce to the entire nation that I’d like to go to the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympics</a> now that I reached the level of best in Ireland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YNRXVA56FVGODESJB3DZLTM3NY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482622},"content":"It didn’t matter to me that cross-country wasn’t even an Olympic sport, or that I didn’t even know where the next Olympics were, it just seemed natural that this was the next step.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IMHKPZIL2ZC6TPXHBU6FUJLPNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482623},"content":"Up to that point, I had never met any Olympic athlete either. There was definitely not the same connection that we have today with the current athletes, and the next generation of young athletes inspired to find the sport for them to aspire to and build their Olympic dreams.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O7RU2OAUGFCE7H4FNLBRZDJVIA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482624},"content":"I also remember <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/04/20/john-treacy-im-definitely-on-the-way-back-now/?\" target=\"_blank\">John Treacy winning the silver medal in the marathon in Los Angeles in 1984</a>, and the celebrations when he came home.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JTLESC6RENG5JN5FNMNXRDBFEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482625},"content":"But the athlete that always stood out as the quintessential Olympian is Ronnie Delany, and his gold medal from Melbourne in 1956, won over the 1,500m. An event that so many can relate to, the metric mile.","type":"text"},{"_id":"63VNP6UXWNAUBAL2TJWWW6M7CU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482626},"content":"Ronnie has always been the first Olympian I recall being a household name in Ireland, a name my parents and grandparents related to long before I ever started competing and chasing my Olympic dreams.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AEDZKER3GZCHZHLCWSBHRDMM3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"JVBXUSDYUFG2PCBZONP675WYYQ"},"content":"How Ronnie Delany’s golden moment dawned slowly in Ireland","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"ACIYC5DHUZGPXPTMS4CJAOVRSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482627},"content":"After I won that national cross-country in 1987, I remember, too, the shock and surprise when my mother answered the phone and then came in and told me Ronnie Delany was on the phone.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZZRJEMS4DBD2FBHXAMUEA6AQMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482628},"content":"I’m certain it was a star-struck moment for my mother more than myself at the time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EHOK4RRIYBEBFHNLHWBOB3KUZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482629},"content":"For years after his Melbourne success, the first question Ronnie would be asked was “did you bring it?”. Meaning his medal, and it was a long-standing query whenever Ronnie turned up anywhere, as so many people were enthralled by him winning only Ireland’s fourth ever Olympic gold medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5W7QS6LLPJBRJIIOW6MU75J7LY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482630},"content":"To me Ronnie has always been the godfather of Irish Olympians, the one person that realised the importance and significance of being an Olympian and how this passed on from generation to generation, being part of this very exclusive club.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3YUMY4J3RBLFDR2F2TRIN25GY","additional_properties":{"_id":"ROVWN5FJQBEI5C4QHHVRQBYGI4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SVLRAIQHEJBYFEMRUDOBCB6364","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482631},"content":"One that could so very easily be taken for granted when you are just out there training and competing and doing what you love to do and being good at it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I3ANEICDEVCBFIU2BXTMSHUWZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482632},"content":"Once an Olympian, always an Olympian, he’d say, and there is certainly no such thing as a former Olympian.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YWAG5MJS2BD23NDKHLXLCMV76Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482633},"content":"Ronnie also initiated the Irish Olympians Association that brings together many different Irish Olympians each year on Olympic Day. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/day-in-the-sun-for-roisin-mcgettigan-as-she-finally-gets-medal-1.2016338\" target=\"_blank\">Róisín McGettigan</a>, who ran the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, is the current president and the aim is to continue to connect more Irish Olympians, and also build connections in their local communities and celebrate all Olympians, including those who may not have been appreciated at the time they competed as much as they are now.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BZ3MEPJRDJHEVKLRGNFG3SN6MM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482634},"content":"The <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-federation-of-ireland/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic Federation of Ireland</a> will take this to a new level on Saturday night, celebrating 100 years of Irish Olympic athletes at the annual Olympic Ball in Dublin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NUEVX74MWJGEJMWUMVNKPYO7ZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482635},"content":"Well over 1,000 athletes have represented Ireland at the summer Olympic Games since Paris 1924 and at at the winter Olympic Games since 1992.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JUFI3VPJUNFPPBRMG3QRFJWLPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482636},"content":"More than 600 athletics have been invited to Saturday’s event, which I’m very much looking forward to attending, as this will be the largest gathering of all Irish Olympic team members ever.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WCMIKRUGJJGL5GLWRIP7CKPXU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482637},"content":"Most of the recent Paris medallists will be attendance, as well as Olympians from as far back as 1960.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TKWVLWLXMFBFXOJNXAS56E6OKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482638},"content":"Every Olympian has now been assigned a number to signify when they qualified and competed in their first Olympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QAV5P42JKRF5PAQAX7A2CGT4Y4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482639},"content":"In all, a total of 42 medals have been won, 15 gold, 10 silver and 17 bronze across seven different sports; athletics, boxing, rowing, swimming, sailing, equestrian and gymnastics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MD7V2EUWP5HOVHXPQAQH3AONSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482640},"content":"Athletics has always been the biggest sport at the Olympics and the sport of which I have my earliest Olympic memories, listening in the car on the radio when Marcus O’Sullivan and Frank O’Mara were competing in Los Angeles in 1984.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A6R22JI2MFGCIHXTI4VV7AOXGA","additional_properties":{"_id":"TUZUVVMB5NEY7JS4FR4KTLLH2M"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2ZZD2AHGMZAWDIL7Y5YGZENPGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482641},"content":"These were the athletes I could relate most to, when my interest in athletics was developing as a young teenage athlete in Cobh. This was also the Olympics when 800m runner Caroline O’Shea was the first Irish woman to run in an Olympic final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DQ27D7OVKBESBEYQFSOSFLK4N4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482642},"content":"When I first competed at the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992 it was a special moment for me but I was also lucky to be surrounded by great team-mates to whom I still remain close today. We were there for each other and my fondest Olympic memories are from the training camp we had in the weeks before, which brought us together and alleviated any nerves that were starting to creep in as race day approached.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CJY4NNDDKFGSHJVNWTPG3QB2EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482643},"content":"The ultimate achievement is to win an Olympic medal, yet when I was competing in 1992 it seemed a step too far for most Irish athletes. We all celebrated when Michael Carruth won his gold medal and Wayne McCollough backed it up with his silver medal in the boxing ring.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XH3HQKDRN5E7FLTC2FQE4KCR3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482644},"content":"Medals always seemed like the exception for Ireland at the Olympics, when we hoped to do well and only dreamed of medals, yet we were still able to appreciate the Olympics for all that they were.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VFGFLUABTNH37D7CWN4X6KIUME","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482645},"content":"It’s this overall Olympic experience that will bring so many athletes together this Saturday to reminisce and recall the good old days where it all began, when we inspired the next generation and we didn’t even realise it at the time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LSKBQKQ4AJFNHG4Q6IEN2AIYWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482646},"content":"Back in Barcelona in 1992, there were just three female athletes on the Irish athletics team of 19. The full team of 58 was made up of 49 men and nine women across 12 sports.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HTBCHIGNWVBDXA4SHA6KEUBSJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482647},"content":"Even though Maeve Kyle was the pioneer of Irish women at the Olympic Games in 1956, 1960 and 1964, there was not a great deal of change or encouragement of more women to strive to be Olympians.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GX3OSVY2VBF5HPQVJ4NBP644N4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482648},"content":"The fact that in 26 years there was still just a fraction of women on the Olympic team is staggering and even more so that we didn’t realise it at the time and take action.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EH3ORGQ7OFDN5PCNVIMMS2PGXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482649},"content":"Fast-forward to 2024, almost 70 years later and women are on par with the men on the Irish Olympic team. We no longer as a nation go to the Olympics hoping for medals, and in the past 24 years, half of Ireland’s total Olympic medals have been won.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FIGSUFQG3NET5DQ7SO53QEXHGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482650},"content":"Once we were just inspired to participate at the Olympics, now our young athletes are seeing that winning is possible. The most successful Olympic Games in Paris delivered seven medals, four of which were gold.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YSALC2FIKVG2PJLNVQ2L4BNNJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482651},"content":"We have seen what is possible and were not far off even more medals this past summer. We no longer live in hope and dreams but in knowing what it takes to realise those dreams. Irish athletes now go to the Olympics knowing we belong and feel the respect we deserve on the Olympic stage.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}},"name":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"On Saturday I will attend the biggest ever gathering of Irish Olympians - more than 600 of us"},"display_date":"2024-11-08T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sonia O’Sullivan: A jog down Olympic memory lane shows how far Irish athletes have come","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"R3ECKV46R5D4MIUCNBSVVT6XXI","auth":{"1":"d463a71b4821257aa82070448846ce498dfae65e5b92ef5fd97100cc34efab5f"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/R3ECKV46R5D4MIUCNBSVVT6XXI.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/08/sonia-osullivan-a-jog-down-olympic-memory-lane-shows-how-far-irish-athletes-have-come/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"4ARTUHILDFGMDNP7LTXVWUIPNI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":160,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/49b766c4-1ac8-4307-95f2-8b65641fac15/versions/1730895222/media/ea1cd9a4429044894f6bb2b010989a71_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/11/06/olympic-federation-of-ireland-confirms-two-candidates-running-to-be-new-president/","content_elements":[{"_id":"PUGRZ2CLVJDNHNV4CTT4D2UTMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475542},"content":"The <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-federation-of-ireland/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic Federation of Ireland</a> (OFI) have confirmed that two existing board members will contest the election to replace Sarah Keane as president at their extraordinary general meeting in Dublin on December 5th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L4ZZY34C4FDEFDXTFIWUZIO3G4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475543},"content":"Keane is stepping down from her position having been on the board since 2014. She will have completed two successful terms as president, having first assumed the role in 2017 at a time when the federation underwent a major governance review following the 2016 Rio Olympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VQGMHK3XFVDARPY5L6VCYC2W5A","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475544},"content":"It was agreed under the restructuring of the federation that all those elected could serve a maximum of two four-year terms. Keane will continue in her role of chief executive of Swim Ireland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KPZ2X7J3S5FRPGG6M7CQODUEEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475545},"content":"Board members Moira Aston and Lochlann Walsh have put their names forward to replace Keane. Aston is chief executive of Canoeing Ireland and has extensive sports administration experience, having also worked with Athletics Ireland for 12 years in senior roles, while Walsh has a 20-year track record in sports administration, from grass roots to the chair of the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs).","type":"text"},{"_id":"BSZFMGO5WJAC5PSL75U3I5FBWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475546},"content":"Sarah O’Shea is unchallenged in her bid to become vice-president, with six non-officer positions also to be contested on the night for the four-year period 2025-2029.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UAEDUAJDURBP5HDBUOJ3LIK524","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475547},"content":"OFI chief executive Peter Sherrard will combine his current role with a new general secretary position, from the date of elections, for the purposes of international representation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VWPQP3AKLVD3HCGF4FI2RX7CEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475548},"content":"In all, 14 candidates have been nominated for the positions of non-officer members, including three existing board members and two former Olympians in John Menton (athletics) and Sonya McGinn (badminton).","type":"text"},{"_id":"X2CXCPBXPZAE3P3DCJPZKIJZ2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475549},"content":"Also challenging for a non-officer position is Roddy Guiney, whose father Dave competed in the 1948 Olympics in London, along with Aston, Eric Brady, Michelle Carpenter, Georgina Drumm, John Feehan, Aaron Guli, Eadaoin Keane, Aidan McLaughlin, James Quilligan, Siobhán Scarlett and Cecile van Steenberge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7LPCJV5U5VAGZNCSWFQY7A442U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475550},"content":"In addition to these elected positions, the OFI board contains two independent directors (Nigel Cowman and Sean Hawkshaw). A further two independent directors may be co-opted in the next Olympic cycle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sarah Keane will be succeeded by either Moira Aston or Lochlann Walsh"},"display_date":"2024-11-06T12:08:34.086Z","headlines":{"basic":"Olympic Federation of Ireland confirms two candidates running to be new president","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"2S7RAEAELJDAFDTOX6IC3LIPSM","auth":{"1":"9e3549d5d8d8c2505da4a347b8b65c1826543128fc2bf834a4c915ebae528c43"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/2S7RAEAELJDAFDTOX6IC3LIPSM.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Tennis"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/11/06/olympic-federation-of-ireland-confirms-two-candidates-running-to-be-new-president/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"SCVKIURXOFAQHPYUJFPFSO2SLY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":205,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/074386ed-9fed-423c-9875-7093df3362fe/versions/1730820466/media/5c97c775cf95aaae95dca257f05fb10c_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/05/national-cross-country-championships-switch-to-75km-for-both-senior-races/","content_elements":[{"_id":"ULE3PTYT45HRBAL4YPJJ7PNGTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433893},"content":"Athletics Ireland have confirmed that both the men’s and women’s National Cross-Country Championships in Enniskillen later this month will be raced over 7.5km, the shortest distance it has ever been for the men.","type":"text"},{"_id":"G5WEUVQFWFFCDPMJSL36Z3JRPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433894},"content":"This follows the latest directive from European Athletics, who last year announced “a historic twist” in having both the men’s and women’s races at the European Cross-Country run over the same distance for the first time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5GSBZBEU2ZFLXCAVL7SAW3QKTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433895},"content":"On that occasion, however, both the men and women raced over 9km, which for the women was actually double the distance of the first European Cross-Country. Conditions at that event in Brussels were far from ideal, and despite the aspiration of gender balance the women did struggle with the distance more than the men.","type":"text"},{"_id":"74FZQI3JMRENHFPATNJMNYPVTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433896},"content":"As a result, European Athletics have now cut both distances back to just 7.5km for next month’s event, set for Antalya, Turkey on December 8th. It will also be the shortest distance the men have ever raced at a European Cross-Country.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F2JSVHWF6ZENHNKH7HFMKQ57GI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433897},"content":"The 2024 National Cross-Country Championships, which take place on Sunday week, November 17th, at Castle Irvine Estate in Enniskillen, also acts as the trial for the European Cross-Country, which has proven a happy medal hunting ground for Irish athletes in recent years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N63APKVUZRGG5CI5K2BSBS3VOM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433898},"content":"On that basis, Athletics Ireland agreed both their men’s and women’s senior races would also be run over 7.5k, when until recent years the men always ran 10km. As with the European Cross-Country, in its 30th edition this year, the men’s and women’s under-20 races will be run over 4.5km, and the men’s and women’s under-23 races over 6km, those distances also cut back down on last year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6XS4LTGPNB6TNKHG2B6DKVYSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433899},"content":"Sonia O’Sullivan believes the new 7.5km distance for both men and women may ultimately be beneficial in improving the competitiveness of the event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I7HOH55UQZCYPIQYHFFMPWRJHQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433900},"content":"“I think for the women yes, 7.5km is fine,” says O’Sullivan. “It might make the men’s race more exciting too, in some ways. Because otherwise people just start running away and it can get a bit boring as the leaders just get further and further away.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P66PXE376JGD7PFD6PMZ7UM6PU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433901},"content":"“It might be better for the Irish men, to keep a few more in it for longer. But the NCAA cross-country in the US is still 10km for men, and 6km for women, and they’re still college runners.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"54MU3VVXHZDPNDT4CWTMDWYNY4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433902},"content":"At last year’s National Cross-Country, raced over 9km, Cormac Dalton from Mullingar and Fiona Everard from Bandon won by contrasting distances, Dalton winning by just two seconds, with Everard enjoying a stunning victory margin of 37 seconds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7C4CPM542VG4LDZQNQBK5EODCY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433903},"content":"At last year’s European Cross-Country, Nick Griggs also saw out his under-20 eligibility by leading the Irish team to gold medals, as well as his individual bronze.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B7XAE46PARA25MHPRIF7KJ2ZEM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433904},"content":"Fionnuala McCormack also finished fourth in the senior women’s event, for the fifth time, a week after running the Paris Olympic marathon standard. 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It is the largest grant of the €173 million announced as part of the Government’s Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).","type":"text"},{"_id":"KC3JCFWD4RFZREW4GSGEUAAKAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578800},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-gaa/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin GAA</a>’s long-awaited Centre of Excellence at the Spawell facility in the south of the county has been allocated €7 million, while several multi-sport projects are also included in the list of 35 successful applications.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PN6BM6YPMFC3BJZT3WHTNZKW7Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578801},"content":"The overall Dalymount Park redevelopment is estimated to cost approximately €40 million, so the injection of almost €25 million is hugely significant in progressing the stadium plans.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KFDMDVBRSNGFLMXMSDIWHNLGYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578802},"content":"The existing ground is to be demolished, with a new four-sided enclosed 8,000 capacity Uefa Category Three stadium to be built. The pitch is also to reorientated on the ‘preferred north-south axis’.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LIGGCNQGUZAIDESZ5IOPLHD5VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578803},"content":"It is yet to be confirmed when work will commence, though it has been suggested Bohs will move out of Dalymount Park to a temporary home during the 2026 season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MEIIV7LRLBCADFMFKLFOMCXK5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578804},"content":"Sligo Rovers have also received a €16.4 million cash injection for upgrade works at the Showgrounds, while €650,000 will go to floodlight improvements at Tallaght Stadium.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5H5FQBRBFJFZNLU6Q4RHOP46LU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578805},"content":"The €7 million for Dublin’s GAA Spawell project is to fund three full-size pitches, one synthetic pitch (all floodlit), an indoor training centre, gym, skills wall, sensory spaces, and changing rooms.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PBMDE4VT35BAFM3ZVC5OE2LW2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578806},"content":"Funds for GAA Centres of Excellence in Roscommon (€5.5 million), Wexford (€3.5 million) and Clare (€3.2 million) have also been included in the allocations.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JQ6OM7QMQFH4NFCVX2AZELXWWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578807},"content":"Morton Stadium in Santry has received €7 million for the development of an indoor athletic training facility with a full eight lane 100-metre track, high-jump area, gym, physiotherapy spaces, and changing rooms.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6DF3GF5QIVCKNB5COPC7CSX2PI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578808},"content":"The support for several multi-sport projects indicates a growth in the model of cross-sport working partnerships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"75ZDV4HFEJE2XEYWOKFAZWW2VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578809},"content":"The Cavan Regional Sports Campus has been allocated €19 million for the construction of a covered sports arena with a playing pitch and spectator seating. There will also be four GAA pitches, a hockey/multi-sport synthetic pitch, and a cricket practice area with catch-nets, all of which will be floodlit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKBI7FQ6B5G6ZEITVMVL7J5IKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578810},"content":"“This is a major stepping stone for Cavan GAA, Cavan LGFA and Cavan Camogie who signed a landmark memorandum of agreement for the shared use of facilities, earlier this year,” stated Cavan GAA.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6WRBRTU4ZFD4FAF7VWS2I5QXO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578811},"content":"Among the other multi-sport projects to be allocated funds are Sallins Park in Naas (€3 million), East Coast Hub in Gorey (€4.9 million), Shannonside Centre in Leitrim (€3.3 million), Hyde Park in Dalkey (€4.6 million), Letterkenny Regional Hub in Donegal (€8.7 million), Mayo Sports Campus (€7.5 million) and City North Arena in Limerick (€7.5 million).","type":"text"},{"_id":"W5M2ENGWRFFK7KIC6K64XPVAUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578812},"content":"Ministers Catherine Martin and Thomas Byrne were in attendance at Dalymount Park on Monday to announce the timely pre-election funding.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRTR5NAR2NDJNCCEFWCDA6ORSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578813},"content":"“The advantages of engaging in sports, regardless of age, are profound both mentally and physically. To meet our ambitious goals of increasing participation in sports, it is essential to have facilities like these,” said Minister Martin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"466D6VCYTRGNFMHPP5LZARRLG4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578814},"content":"Applications for the 2024 round of LSSIF closed on July 1st. Applications were assessed for funding of between €600,000 and €30 million.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"Over €170 million allocated under Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund"},"display_date":"2024-11-04T12:57:09.881Z","headlines":{"basic":"Bohemians secure €24.7m in government funding for Dalymount Park redevelopment","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"B4SFZKUGB3EAJEP7V5CR2ERAZQ","auth":{"1":"4434c46191ddec97e81c595fcfc41fe939d801616b44b8eb3eae062a466476a3"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/B4SFZKUGB3EAJEP7V5CR2ERAZQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/11/04/bohemians-secure-247m-in-government-funding-for-dalymount-park-redevelopment/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/soccer","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Soccer"}}}},{"_id":"Z4B5OOGOVVGP5OCCQ5JWPPVOOU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":413,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/7ddc31d2-fdf1-4d68-a705-8af619cba19a/versions/1730480810/media/761de7d74b458931f5be4ac0d8439afb_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/02/why-is-irelands-fastest-marathon-not-the-irish-marathon-record/","content_elements":[{"_id":"ZPYJEYBU2BGGJNIHONSAWGF67E","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713101},"content":"Before the rain came and the autumn breeze whipped up, conditions at the start and finish of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> last Sunday morning were ideal. No reason to hang around then. In the end, few runners found greater reward, after a brave and beautifully balanced effort over the 26.2 miles, than Hiko Tonosa.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YULCP27F4VBKBLPYOQSSWBZU6A","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713102},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/10/27/hiko-tonosa-runs-fastest-marathon-by-an-irishman-to-finish-third-in-dublin/\" target=\"_blank\">He crossed the finish line on Mount Street</a> in third place overall, clocking 2:09:42. In my 30-odd years of reporting on the Dublin Marathon, any Irish runner who makes the overall podium was greeted with special acclaim, but Tonosa’s celebration was something more. He sought asylum in Ireland from his war-torn village in Ethiopia back in 2017, before gaining Irish citizenship in 2020.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2W7GU3Y5GFCRJKRYVXWRIPQQWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713103},"content":"After briefly falling flat on his back at the finish, a tricolour draped over his shoulders, the 29-year-old running for Dundrum South Dublin leapt up and started sprinting back down the finishing straight towards the Pepper Canister Church, moving like loose electricity, mainlining the last of his race adrenaline, as well he might.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NYSMFX6T5BC6BGMFA6QYVFVRUE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713104},"content":"His effort had been complete. After passing halfway in 64:13, Tonosa’s finishing time was promptly announced as a new Irish marathon record, eclipsing by seven seconds the 2:09:49 which Stephen Scullion ran in London in 2020. Scullion had also finished on the overall podium in Dublin twice before, his 2:11:51 last year was, at the time, the fastest marathon ever run by an Irishman in this country.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W6HCPJZE2JCQ3JY3Z6F6TNJ7MM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713105},"content":"Tonosa’s previous best of 2:15:01 was run in Valencia back in January – a time he smashed here by the best part of six minutes – but he’s always shown the potential to run this sort of time, passing the halfway mark in London last April in 63:39, before dropping off that pace.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I5ZD4I7O4FDC7MFVI3GDANDENQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713106},"content":"However, also sitting on that Irish marathon all-time list, albeit with a small asterisk, is the 2:09:15 which John Treacy ran to finish third in the Boston Marathon back in 1988. Holding these times up to a little more scrutiny is not unjustified.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CXFODU76J2XFLGAPCGY22WQ7GA","additional_properties":{"_id":"ES737VWIUJDBFAFFIXRVZR23EI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KQDKPRGDIRDCXFC3ZNX7SAUWYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713107},"content":"Up to 2003, World Athletics didn’t actually recognise any world records set on the road, given the variety of elevation and terrain, listing them instead as “world bests”. Then after agreeing a set of record-criteria in 2004, world records could be set on the road, similar to the track and field, and likewise national records too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VLQPSSMTLBEDNMFA22AKJ7YFXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713108},"content":"For the marathon, there were two key conditions for record-setting purposes. The decrease in elevation between the start and the finish could not exceed an average of 1m per km; and the start and finish points, measured along a theoretical straight line between them, could not exceed 50 per cent of the marathon distance.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3DADITB7Y5HQVM35IBLVKANRKI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713109},"content":"Incidentally, this rules out the original marathon course from 490BC, from the town of Marathon down to Athens, for any record purposes, although having once just about completed that course myself, a somehow easier or faster course it most definitely is not.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KCBFQRMN5FATDABPBSUTXPGIYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713110},"content":"The first recognised marathon world best was the 2:55.18 set by the Irish American Johnny Hayes at the 1908 Olympics in London, and although Boston is the longest-running city marathon in the world, starting in 1897 and inspired by the Athens Olympics the year before, it has only once produced a world best, legal or otherwise, when Geoffrey Mutai from Kenya ran 2:03:02 in 2011.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OBFEGHWSUFCCVETTPKY37REAZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713111},"content":"The problem with Boston for record purposes is that it averages a decrease in elevation of 3.23m per km, and the distance between the start and finish point is 91 per cent of the race distance. On that basis, Mutai’s time wasn’t even submitted to World Athletics for consideration.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CCDOM76BCNGJTOUNIZO2KZGRAY","additional_properties":{"_id":"LKX4AJTF5BFGJFK66AQBMS3JTI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"OG6K4VKUOZCUPOUQRUNBIQQJ7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713112},"content":"So to Treacy’s 2:09:15 run in Boston in 1988, which at the time was only the second marathon that he finished. After winning his Olympic silver medal in LA in 1984, running the Irish marathon record of 2:09:56, Treacy became hot property in marathon running, yet was reluctant to make a permanent move to the distance, or at least to surrender his career on the track.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R3XLVWSHCREHLGQQWXKHHYLFFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713113},"content":"When Treacy’s next marathon after LA did come calling, in 1987, he was always sure it would be Boston, and now flush with sponsorship money from John Hancock Financial Services, an all-star field was assembled, including the Australian Rob de Castella, winner the previous year in a course record of 2:07:51, plus Japan’s Toshihiko Seko, the Boston champion from 1981.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NUHGSE3RERCLZMBRAL72MJ3B2A","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713114},"content":"Boston does unquestionably benefit from some nice rolling hills at the start in Hopkinton, but it’s also much feared for Heartbreak Hill, which comes around mile 20, the same time as the infamous Wall. What Treacy discovered was Heartbreak Hill hurts as much coming <i>down</i> as it does going up, the breaking leg action soon crippling his quad muscles. By mile 21 he was reduced to a near crawl. It took two hours to be driven through the crowds back to the finish.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7J5LB3HMA5DCHPPQTR5NZJSGCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713115},"content":"A year later, in 1988, Treacy only decided to run Boston again on short notice – four days before, to be exact – confident he was hitting a sort of marathon-running peak. And so it proved, as Treacy broke everyone on the downhill and uphill except for the African duo of Ibrahim Hussein and Juma Ikangaa, Hussein taking the win in 2:08:43, Treacy holding on for third in that 2:09:15.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3ARFTBSM4BC7TGUMDO3EAR2ZKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713116},"content":"It is worth remembering, too, that this was long before the era of super shoes, and while Treacy was wearing a pair of custom-made New Balance racing flats, there was minimal cushioning and not an ounce of carbon. If you saw those shoes now, they’d be considered anti-super.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XEX6XHFWEFB3PDKMS2LK2EEJEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713117},"content":"He ran Boston again the following year, under even greater fanfare, and after another hard-fought race had to settle for third once again, running 2:10:24.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZNDSK5AWVJHQNMBB4C4CGTYWJM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713118},"content":"When Treacy lined up in Boston for the fourth and final time, in 1991, all the lessons of the past were neatly executed: he held back early on, gently rolled over Heartbreak Hill, looked primed for another podium finish, before the short, sharp downhills – part of what rules Boston out for record purposes – once again proved his undoing, as he sat on the kerb outside Boston College, at mile 21, clutching his right hamstring with one hand, and covering his face with the other.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OM75M64H4BHHHGPD7G74W3UP7A","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713119},"content":"Which is also why in some people’s eyes his 2:09:15 may not be the official Irish marathon record, but is still quite possibly the greatest Irish marathon ever run. At least until Hiko Tonosa starts looking towards that 2:09 barrier and thinking: “Why not now?”","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Hiko Tonosa ran 2:09:42 to finish third in Sunday’s Dublin Marathon, but John Treacy’s 2:09:15 from Boston deserves closer scrutiny"},"display_date":"2024-11-02T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Why is Ireland’s fastest marathon not the Irish marathon record?","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"IAQ44QCBJUV6OULEJZOYIOCFUU","auth":{"1":"9a157d0edfb733ad941d4b6ab3afdf68c7621202539e40fc5351325f22f6f17e"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IAQ44QCBJUV6OULEJZOYIOCFUU.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/02/why-is-irelands-fastest-marathon-not-the-irish-marathon-record/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"JYIM7BU2EFFERHPISA2JQEKOJE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":292,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/9c471bda-adc5-4d8d-adaa-640aabd97d43/versions/1730136457/media/7536a27491cf2672b66da8c0c38a3a5e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/28/dublin-marathon-organisers-satisfied-with-improved-entry-uptake-for-sundays-event/","content_elements":[{"_id":"GRDPVIBFFVHTJIVD7YIJASMQHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017859},"content":"After experiencing a worrying decline in the uptake of race-day entries in recent years, organisers of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> have expressed their satisfaction in reversing that trend <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/10/27/hiko-tonosa-runs-fastest-marathon-by-an-irishman-to-finish-third-in-dublin/\" target=\"_blank\">for Sunday’s event</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YSMDWR6I6NABBHCIG2SGTAYEZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017861},"content":"Of the 22,500 sell-out, just over 18,000 (18,091) made it through the race start line on Leeson Street on Sunday morning, and according to the Dublin Marathon race results, there were 17,719 official finishers, just shy of the event record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SVYBO2P6KNDZXFWC3HZYSD2GXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017862},"content":"In last year’s race, also a 22,500 sell-out, only 16,540 runners made the race start, with 16,347 listed as official race finishers – meaning around 6,000 race entries went unused, despite all paying the entry fee of €110, plus a handling charge of €5.50.","type":"text"},{"_id":"STU7QUZOQJF5ZCOPE7GALFDQLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017863},"content":"Most big city marathons expect a race-day entry attrition rate on the overall entry, typically around 20 per cent, due to a variety of understandable reasons – illness, injury, doubts, fears, second thoughts, reality checks etc – in the days, weeks and even months before.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E2XNFKYPKBBGRGF74BW3JZLTCI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017864},"content":"However, last year’s drop-off of 6,000 runners was around 25 per cent on Dublin’s initial race entry. It also marked a significant drop-off from the 2019 race, which was also limited to 22,500, with a record 17,724 official race finishers.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O53M6LS3B5HNXP2P3UWI3KA66M","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017865},"content":"For this year’s race, a new transfer window opened from Wednesday, July 24th to Monday, August 26th, about a month later than last year, and which according to the organisers is the closest that transfer window could stay open ahead of the race day. In other years, the entry transfer window had closed even earlier.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WSOC2Y3BXRDF5OQGDRJJM6OEMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017866},"content":"“Getting the number of race-day entries back up over 18,000 is certainly satisfying for us,” said a spokesperson for the Dublin Marathon. “The drop-off of 20 per cent is back in line with most other major city marathons, and we’re already look at a number of ways of improving this again for 2025 and 2026.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GWPMUL4D2FGIBGDX4I4633G3XA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017867},"content":"Of the 17,719 official race finishers on Sunday, 12,144 were men and 5,560 were women, with 15 listed as non-binary.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V3NELYDAKK2FEYM3V7LLR5Q5AE","additional_properties":{"_id":"42I6OLXGYJFS3IBGGICAU7G5XY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZNI26TGCZNDL7MTWT7SKSB46AY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017868},"content":"Dublin Marathon race director Jim Aughney admitted he was “at a loss” to explain last year’s 25 per cent drop-off in race-day uptake. He had been gearing for around 19,000 finishers, and a no-show of around 3,500 runners, going off the 2019 entry of 22,500, before Covid twice forced the postponement of the event in 2020 and 2021.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YFE62ZGTNVGLJOWKE3EUT3BOUA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017869},"content":"The true impact of that double postponement was revealed in the actual number which took part in the 2022 event: of the original 25,000 sell-out, only 14,773 were listed as official finishers.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VHCBRSEX6NFPND3K2FKRZEZKOU","additional_properties":{"_id":"JTME6XLGL5DD3DSXHJO54UWQYY"},"content":"Dublin Marathon race director ‘at a loss’ to explain the 6,000 running no-shows at this year’s event","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"FJIFBZ7ELBEKNOFPZD33XD6ACQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017870},"content":"Sunday’s event did produce a couple of records on other fronts, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/hiko-tonosa/\" target=\"_blank\">Hiko Tonosa</a> delighting the home support with his third-place overall finish in 2:09:42, the fastest marathon ever run by an Irishman.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZYA6LKMCFEJTKPEB25TFWUZCI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017871},"content":"The 29-year-old running for Dundrum South Dublin was less than a minute behind outright winner Moses Kemei from Kenya (who ran 2:08:47) and improved <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/stephen-scullion/\" target=\"_blank\">Stephen Scullion</a>’s previous Irish marathon record of 2:09:49, from London in 2020. John Treacy did run 2:09:15 in Boston in 1988, although that doesn’t count for record purposes due to Boston’s net downhill gradient.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WLLQRE6XBFGIDK37US6NEYNBGY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017872},"content":"The women’s elite race also produced a Dublin Marathon course record, Asmirach Nega from Ethiopia winning in 2:24:13.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GBHD3T65MZHQ3DEILYKYOSIO6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017873},"content":"Entries for the 2025 event will open later next month, beginning with the preferential early entry, which guarantees all those who entered the 2024 race a place next year, whether they showed up or not. This preferential early entry is also open for the same time frame for all women who entered the 2024 Dublin Half Marathon. This is to encourage and support more female entrants to the marathon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNJDFNK5HREORLSC74VW3NMHUM","additional_properties":{"_id":"JD5XNI6OOZCSJMHK7FQUDTJ2NY"},"content":"Proud day for Hiko Tonasa as he sets new Irish marathon record","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"GBHD3T65MZHQ3DEILYKYOSIO6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017873},"content":"Places will again be reserved for Athletics Ireland club members, as since 2003 the race also doubles as the national marathon championships. Applications for entries via the lottery system will then go live after the uptake in the preferential entry is known.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O3XNSLLLZNCLDFRTC4ZJAGRN7U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017875},"content":"While most marathons work off that expected attrition rate of up to 20 per cent, some fare better than others. In 2018, the New York Marathon produced the highest completion rate; of the 52,812 starters, there were 52,121 finishers, an astonishing completion rate of 99.4 per cent.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Just over 18,000 of the 22,500 entries made it through the start line on Leeson Street"},"display_date":"2024-10-28T17:21:19.231Z","headlines":{"basic":"Dublin Marathon organisers satisfied with improved entry uptake for Sunday’s event","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"GKCLYKTYSUFUKQWWFU5RZL7SAA","auth":{"1":"d3a1ba33d646d779d3e0c6028667031ee5b5cdcb20965b53feda081f7b0ef751"},"focal_point":{"x":2506,"y":1803},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/GKCLYKTYSUFUKQWWFU5RZL7SAA.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/28/dublin-marathon-organisers-satisfied-with-improved-entry-uptake-for-sundays-event/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"J7HT2WALFRFPZOWPYN6XG3QQAA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":258,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/26d1d577-a013-4b0f-ade3-b9a7f53eddd6/versions/1730033057/media/06781d7d7644a372dd9a60c72ca47c83_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/27/hiko-tonosa-runs-fastest-marathon-by-an-irishman-to-finish-third-in-dublin/","content_elements":[{"_id":"EHPYQV6XTZG4JMVMW4ENRIZGLI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Every marathon journey is ultimately about reaching the finish, and for the first Irish man and woman to make it home in Sunday’s <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> that journey also had a very different beginning.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OXQ75Q5XXVCEJILIGUWQKUCJCM","additional_properties":{},"content":"They were greeted on Mount Street with the same ecstatic yells as the outright winners, Hiko Tonosa crossing the finish line in third place overall, his 2:09:42 the fastest marathon ever run by an Irishman, before Ann-Marie McGlynn defended her women’s national title in 2:34:05, good enough for sixth place overall.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2A26WHUKLBBJHMBQ3M2CM2SKGQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Tonosa has unquestionably come a long way from the small Rastafarian town of Shashamane in the highlands of Ethiopia. About 4,000 miles, roughly – also bravely journeying through some lonely and terrifying intervals of his life; the murder and oppression of his native Oromo people; the peril of chasing a professional running career in Japan; the fear of being an asylum seeker in Dublin; the unknown of being almost two years in direct provision.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5BKNFZQPLNEV7AN4Q6HK3DHVN4","additional_properties":{},"content":"An Irish citizen since 2020, the 29-year-old Tonosa has already won a series of national titles on the track and the road, but this one felt special for many reasons, Dublin being his hometown since 2017.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5O3RGWGRINADBOBJIMZEFTRDFU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“When we got to UCD [around 21 miles], I said ‘I’m still here, now I have to work hard’, but I’m very happy with that,” he said. “And all the Irish support out there behind me, cheering me and helping me.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A6KVTSQ645FJPMUGIRJFR7J424","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Everywhere, every station, every place, oh my God everyone was calling for me. That’s why I ran very well today.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"K2FXX63YTVDAJOXW5BWHJ7D4HE","additional_properties":{},"content":"After his first arrival in Ireland, Tonosa soon fell under the coaching guidance of Eddie McDonagh, at Dundrum South Dublin; although no longer working directly with his most recent coach Feidhlim Kelly, the two remain close friends.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YYPR72VBHBHS3EOMZA2RKP4IYE","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the race for the runner-up places in the men’s national championship, Ryan Creech from Leevale held on in ninth place overall, running 2:13:49, and clear just of William Maunsell from Clonmel AC, who clocked 2:14:23, good enough for 10th overall. Creech also led Leevale to the team race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M4BPKGG3BCVBY33LDNCNLR6ZUU","additional_properties":{"_id":"4JU2LLV46VA3ZIBDYXS2TM7VQE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"EJGLEAGI65BXFMAAV3PJ4GSFDQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"By her own admission, McGlynn’s best marathon running days are likely coming to an end, which made her defence of her national title even sweeter – slightly faster than she ran last year too, but immeasurably more difficult.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HIB5FJJIJZGXDFKABV3T23ZJM4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I’m a crier, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I really wanted that today,” she said. “Look, I’m 45 in February, I’m ready to take a little stop to the side, and let all them young ones come through. It is getting tiring, mentally and physically. But there aren’t many 44-year-olds doing what I did today, so I’m going to enjoy this one.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6MW2IBGYHJBXVOJGGID6G5CWVU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And I wanted that. I had company up to halfway, did not know what was going to happen, but I didn’t panic. Then I was holding back tears at 24 miles, my hamstrings were pinging on me, I had a wee mantra written on my hand, and I kept saying it. And I’m ready to enjoy this one more than I did last year, soak it all up.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KNTCKSGEOFDDHKTBPGN3I4CKTA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I knew I always had the hunger, although it was harder today than last year.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ES7P2UKZE5CT7CNEWJMMKZ4XTQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Now coached by Emmett Dunleavy, McGlynn enjoyed a similar day of days last year, winning her first national marathon title after coming so close in her previous two attempts, in 2022, and 2019.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KJSSVK7MGZDW7B4UPFGANZ5GIU","additional_properties":{},"content":"A sort of early running prodigy in her native Tullamore, McGlynn (née Larkin) won her first underage title at age 13, before starting in UCD at age 18. Just two months after that, her coach at UCD, Dublin Marathon co-founder Noel Carroll, died suddenly at age 56.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FZ7QOR7HORBAXMYI2FY6BET5OY","additional_properties":{},"content":"She drifted away from elite running around age 23, then came back at age 32, inspired by her youngest son Alfie, who endured a near-fatal illness shortly after his birth in 2012. She also has a 14-year-old daughter Lexie, the family now resident in Strabane.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NU2W2IU4H5CHDPNBFST4F466F4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Up here I was strong” she said, pointing to her head, “but my legs were testing me, testing me ... But the crowd, they were all saying ‘Again Ann-Marie!’ The support out there was outstanding.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q3WWGYDV2NAHJKODOH3KYJE4BQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And someone shouted at me coming up Roebuck, ‘Noel Carroll is watching you’, and I really believe he is. I know he will be proud. And well done to the Dublin Marathon as well, the race organiser Jim Aughney, I love crossing that line and falling into his arms because he does so much for Irish athletics, for Irish marathons, he’s always there, hugely supportive, and they deserve great the praise as well.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MEFEPB7AMJERLNEW7U4XBPOY6Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"The wheelchair race was won by Sean Frame of Great Britain in a time of 1.45.31.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2UA4R5T2IVASVFK73TPC37I4DQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>2024 Dublin Marathon</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"PKYRPGCYOFAZ3DNI4RGNWDT6UY","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Overall men</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QJSXUSNCUBGEPJVZZNZROGEAMM","additional_properties":{},"content":"1 M Kemei (Kenya) 2:08:47","type":"text"},{"_id":"BYWDGZECEBH4BM2VTXD2GD7FR4","additional_properties":{},"content":"2 A Desalew (Ethiopia) 2:09:24","type":"text"},{"_id":"4JYDIYRXZFAJDBP3K7QGPLST6M","additional_properties":{},"content":"3 H Tonosa (Dundrum South Dublin AC) 2:09:42","type":"text"},{"_id":"62ZRLG6QYBG7ZPOTDYYCEYHTEQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Overall women</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"F5ETFADOXBAAVFFFDGKYOTKYCU","additional_properties":{},"content":"1 A Nega (Ethiopia) 2:24:13,","type":"text"},{"_id":"GADSQFLHEZCDPCVZD2B2MIVLRM","additional_properties":{},"content":"2 S Negash (Ethiopia) 2:24:45,","type":"text"},{"_id":"MJZVQAVS6NENBBSU3KCFRJSWYM","additional_properties":{},"content":"3 G Dukale (Ethiopia) 2:28:29 National","type":"text"},{"_id":"3QHDYXQ65VEX5G73I3PIRMT7NY","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Irish men</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G3SJKJVY7JDRDNILO2CVAGKHEE","additional_properties":{},"content":"1 H Tonosa (Dundrum South Dublin AC) 2:09:42","type":"text"},{"_id":"6Q4NPQ24WRABXKYAG6IDPCSKPA","additional_properties":{},"content":"2 R Creech (Leevale AC) 2:13:48,","type":"text"},{"_id":"UBGFO7QXJNDVJCZ7WPQWHMBEQM","additional_properties":{},"content":"3 W Maunsell (Clonmel AC) 2:14:22","type":"text"},{"_id":"7W3J6ZFHEZC4XASVBECCEDYR3M","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Irish women</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EO4BENKMUBHL5HO2VOQ2I4SQOQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"1 AM McGlynn (Letterkenny AC) 2:34:05","type":"text"},{"_id":"ECYUVR2GK5HJBIXMZJPH32QOXY","additional_properties":{},"content":"2 A Kilgallon (Sligo AC) 2:35:56","type":"text"},{"_id":"G4766D6QABFL3HKILK5QSZ3MOU","additional_properties":{},"content":"3 G Lynch (Dundrum South Dublin AC) 2:36:09","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Ann-Marie McGlynn of Letterkenny AC defended her national in 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if ever in the history of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> has there been such wild elation at the finish as exhibited by Hiko Tonosa on Sunday morning, his third place overall in 2:09:42 the fastest marathon ever run by an Irishman.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N6CW6MRLHVF3LOMF73CPQ66MP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457883},"content":"With that the 29-year-old, running for Dundrum South Dublin, took one glance up at the clock, then grabbed an Irish flag and promptly ran back down the finish on Mount Street to similar wild elation from the Dublin support.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N4K7T3VNGFBNHIYXEX5Z5CFC2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457884},"content":"“I was thinking to get the Irish flag around 1km to go, I couldn’t find it, but I knew one day I can hold this flag,” Tonosa said. “This is the one [country] that saved my life, so I need to hold this.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"WWURT62YHFG6NPIFUFYDECYUWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457885},"content":"Moses Kemei from Kenya took the victory in 2:08:47, the 31-year-old also taking the top prize of $15,000, making his decisive move inside the last couple of miles. Abebaw Desalew from Ethiopia held on for second in 2:09:24.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I7WG6W274VDDJH4EXPGBAPPLTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457886},"content":"Then came Tonosa, rewarded for his brave and beautifully balanced effort over the 26.2 miles. It’s been a long, hard road for the 29-year-old up to this point, in more ways than one, and his first reaction afterwards, the Irish flag still draped around his shoulders, was one of immense pride.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4GR6FBBKPVBONOGAV5EINXVUMY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457887},"content":"“It was a fantastic day for me, I’m so happy with my run,” he said. “I’ve come back from a lot of injuries. But it was my plan to get the Irish record anyway, and I’m so happy to do it in Dublin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C4MPLGRBI5AVBPPANICPASVTM4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457888},"content":"“For the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/european-athletics-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">European Championship</a> marathon [in Rome in June], for the London Marathon [in April], I was very fit, but I had a lot of injury. But I didn’t tell anyone, because I needed something to happen. Because I was planning to stop running.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C4E2CDDKNJFVRMDX35IXKFKNJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457889},"content":"“Now, this was my home championship. Everyone said go to Berlin, but my plan was always to run Dublin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F6SCIHPDNZEM5B4XVINADFXYNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457890},"content":"Tonosa first sought asylum in Ireland from his war-torn village in Ethiopia in 2017. An Irish citizen since March 2020, he was on course to qualify for the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris Olympics</a> when passing the halfway mark in London last April in 63:39, before dropping off that pace.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MIBBSR4XX5HTZOR27OOBLWGMNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457891},"content":"Tonosa’s previous best of 2:15:01 was run in Valencia back in January – a time he smashed here by nearly six minutes. He also credited his former coach Feidhlim Kelly, the two remaining good friends, with Kelly also helping to convince him that Dublin would be his day of days.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OHQC3XYVNNEENFCH3437BBANAE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457892},"content":"Indeed, afterwards, Tonosa presented Kelly with his National marathon gold medal as a thank you gift: “And thanks to Feidhlim, who did a lot of me. He’s still my friend, my brother, he knows everything”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5QVB2EJF4FAP5OLWKFRYJNM3DQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457893},"content":"Conditions for running were near ideal – no breeze, overcast, and dry – and after passing halfway in 64:13, Tonosa was sitting patiently in the group of around a dozen lead runners.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XZTGOUC7BVD7LKYVMYFAWFMA2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457894},"content":"In the end, his 2:09:42 improved Stephen Scullion’s previous Irish marathon record of 2:09:49, from London in 2020. John Treacy did run 2:09:15 in Boston in 1988, although that doesn’t count for record purposes due to Boston’s net downhill gradient.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4HELCGBICBCSXJOHD5B2BK6XKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457895},"content":"In all, Tonosa earned himself $5,000 for third, another €5,000 for breaking 2:12, plus the €3,500 for being top Irish finisher.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PRK442NUCRH6FBSKVYW4CTGLIA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457896},"content":"Emotions were also running high after Ann-Marie McGlynn of Letterkenny AC defended her national title in 2.34.05, good enough for sixth overall. The silver and bronze medals there went to Aoife Kilgallon of Sligo AC (2:35:56) and Grance Lynch of Dundrum South Dublin (2:36:09)","type":"text"},{"_id":"EDSAGGHTLBFHLH5KKLLSHWLO3U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457897},"content":"The race for the overall women’s victory was superfast throughout, Asmirach Nega from Ethiopia winning in a course record time of 2.24.13 (also winning $15,000), ahead of Sorome Negash (2.24.45) and Grete Dukale (2.28.29) also of Ethiopia.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Twenty-nine-year-old running for Dundrum South Dublin couldn’t contain his justified elation following a massive effort"},"display_date":"2024-10-27T17:27:12.716Z","headlines":{"basic":"Proud day for Hiko Tonasa as he sets new Irish marathon record","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"CPCGE5O5SUMLRTXE7YBAF6XRXU","auth":{"1":"b1aebe66799ff27f2c37fabe70a96b90222369aea9c3d2fc82ec43de6283215d"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/CPCGE5O5SUMLRTXE7YBAF6XRXU.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/27/proud-day-for-hiko-tonasa-as-he-sets-new-irish-marathon-record/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"V4P5RSE5YFHUZPEYWT4XLDMUME","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":84,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/cccdb49b-179d-4b57-abcb-4f60d77a0cee/versions/1730025016/media/e7edf265fb1eb061a55392f5841ea6c6_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/ireland/dublin/2024/10/27/colin-farrell-among-participants-as-20000-run-dublin-marathon/","content_elements":[{"_id":"AZHXYPYPJBH27GYUTUBHREP6R4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360867},"content":"More than 22,000 people have taken part in the Irish Life <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> on Sunday, with actor <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/colin-farrell/\" target=\"_blank\">Colin Farrell</a> among this year’s participants.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4UQQZIGGBNE6PM4TSLU7B4JA5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360869},"content":"Farrell (48) crossed the finish line in just over four hours, pushing his friend Emma Fogarty (40), who suffers from a rare skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa (EB), in a wheelchair for the last 2.5 miles of the race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RBI3KBVFD5B47CCPNYPNQIB5OM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360870},"content":"“I have known Emma for many years and she epitomises bravery, she is what courage and pure determination are all about,” said Farrell in a statement afterwards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XDOAXKR7TNFWVENKDHPJT6AIEM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360871},"content":"“That run was nothing compared to the pain she is forced to endure every single day, even though she doesn’t show it. It was an honour to see her waiting for me with 4km to go, each of those representing a decade of her life, and to do the final stretch together. I’ll never forget it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FATS62ISFZRMM7VWRBH54NAWY","additional_properties":{"_id":"3JAY3JWUX5AZ3CRSJPIIWYQLL4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PZWSSE2GONHPPEQ3FKH4SZSZTY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360872},"content":"The Castleknock native has so far raised more than €700,000 for Debra, the national charity that supports those living with EB.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V4FYWYPPQBDP3I3WABYYXGIOJM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360873},"content":"This year’s marathon route had changed slightly, with the start line on Leeson Street Lower, before crossing the river Liffey close to Heuston Station and going through Stoneybatter, the North Circular Rd and into the Phoenix Park.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OD5C6C6BNFC35OGDH2GPPDGGZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360874},"content":"Runners then crossed the river again and headed down the South Circular Road and Dolphin’s Barn and on through the city’s suburbs in advance of the finish line on Mount Street Upper.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3FSTVESCRJBLZJRVYJS7X4MSI4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360875},"content":"Ger Copeland (46), from Howth, who suffered three brain haemorrhages and a stroke following a skiing accident earlier this year, was also among this year’s participants.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M6XE32J4OJBH5PCUDJ4DN3TKCI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360876},"content":"Mr Copeland, who has run 300 marathons and finished with a time of 3 hours 6 minutes, said the race had been “very emotional”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TQTQ7R6FZRA5LPJ5ZCCYNF7BQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360877},"content":"“I was told I would never eat, walk, see, hear again. I had to learn how to rewalk, how to swallow, to see. I had to relearn how to do everything,” he said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7NAKXWRW6BCTJMBZJUGNG2L5KU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360878},"content":"“I’m in constant pain. I have no feeling in my right side, I have Horner syndrome in the left side of my face. I’m blind in one eye, my organs on my right side are only working at 20 per cent.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QZRJQRXOXNBM3KOB4X3UCESE6Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360879},"content":"“I just wanted to get through it, whether it was six or seven hours, or if I had to do it with a zimmer frame or poles, whatever way I could get through it. I’ll never be who I was before, but I’m certainly better than anybody could ever imagined.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JKYBI42CM5ABPEACFEMF34VL24","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360880},"content":"Mr Copeland was presented with the Lord Mayor’s medal at the start line this morning by Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan and said he planned to celebrate with “a batter burger and a Diet Coke – the same as always”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GGXADJ7IVZHM3NGXAAPHKEV62Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360881},"content":"Mr Geoghegan said there had been changes to the route after concerns had been raised previously about expectant mothers travelling into the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3P4ZL35BGVETJHD4CVDHO27OQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360882},"content":"“They’ve tried to find a new location that still feels like the essence of Dublin and I think we have a great atmosphere,” Cllr Geoghegan said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3DAEIKHIDJHOTKTGXPMVGIP6TI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360883},"content":"“There’s a good finish here at Mount Street, lots of noise. I think for this year it’s worked, everything has to stay under review but to my mind, it’s another successful event. This is the best of Dublin.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GSGSIY5NEBEVJB75Y4XYVROMRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360884},"content":"Kenya’s Moses Kemei won the Dublin marathon with a time of 2:08.47. Asmirach Nega was the first-placed woman in a course record time of 2:24.13.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3FJEY2OJFBPHRARTQLZFZ2HMEY","additional_properties":{"_id":"YXKSXIHEYFDRHIZ73K6K5FLOOE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VOEPFTUWINAEVNSVCMXNDKWPVU","additional_properties":{"_id":"EA3IYN7XR5FBHJR4D52BZOIN4Q"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sarah Burns"}},"name":"Sarah Burns"}]},"description":{"basic":"Farrell (48) crossed the finish line in just over four hours, pushing his friend Emma Fogarty (40), who suffers from a rare skin condition"},"display_date":"2024-10-27T10:59:03.598Z","headlines":{"basic":"Colin Farrell among participants as 22,000 run in Dublin Marathon","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"HWAOFQMNFBBNXO5WPCW7KZR3HY","auth":{"1":"bc87d553c3e0473ff932e12f810186350aa1e70ad412570cd57d198dc001ac9c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/HWAOFQMNFBBNXO5WPCW7KZR3HY.JPG"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Dublin"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Ireland"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/ireland/dublin/2024/10/27/colin-farrell-among-participants-as-20000-run-dublin-marathon/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/ireland/dublin","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Dublin"}}}},{"_id":"DGXVS7Z6R5FL5CWJF3IPF3VC2M","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":472,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/85204cfb-a429-497d-a961-012787ed33d2/versions/1729788799/media/f892cb5fbc52f2af6520dcaf52f10942_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/26/ann-marie-mcglynn-interview-i-probably-didnt-know-what-depression-was-before-that-and-i-remembered-then-why-i-loved-running/","content_elements":[{"_id":"F6OEZO4ZPBDBFJBOAXJQ2MNXO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873720},"content":"Like any moment in life of profound sadness and loss, Ann-Marie McGlynn will never forget where she was or what she was doing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UFVSBRC5IZF6FHRWNA5YMSNXX4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787286141},"content":"It was this week of October 1998, back when she was the still teenage running prodigy Ann-Marie Larkin, from Tullamore, fresh into her first term at University College Dublin (UCD).","type":"text"},{"_id":"I4VOCF7LP5DD5M6ETTLUQC7MRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873721},"content":"Courted by several colleges in the US, including Providence, the then 18-year-old decided instead to pursue her running at UCD with the coach Noel Carroll.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E6NPPOKICNB4RERHX7BGHMSNH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873722},"content":"Like many athletes of a certain generation, she didn’t need to be told about Carroll’s status in the sport – a two-time Olympian over 400m/800m, European and World Indoor record holder, and co-founder of the Dublin Marathon in 1980.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MQJFTZFHVBALPAVSDUDOWYVAOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873723},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"P44V2IDN4VDLDOGLMVBLM62XIQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873724},"content":"“I was supposed to go to Providence, and chickened out, just said ‘I can’t do it’,” McGlynn says now. “So I went to Dublin, and he [Carroll] took a chance on me.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ONEXXQ6XDVFDPB2Q44KHTN4GHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873725},"content":"“He was just a legend. I can even see him now, his face, driving into UCD, his white hair, just the way he was with the guys. You have to remember I was the only girl, it was tough. But he always made me feel welcome.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NOUFSCG4DFFPZH2SC5OWBEZXHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873726},"content":"So to that fateful lunchtime run round Belfield on the Friday, October 23rd, just four days before the start of the 1998 Dublin Marathon, when after finishing a five-mile loop with the Walker twins, Andrew and Kevin, Carroll suddenly dropped dead in front of them. He was only 56 years of age.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z3QKODXR7RCKBPWL27Q6IUQCCI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873727},"content":"McGlynn was spared the trauma of witnessing it, in part because Carroll himself had advised her to head home for the Halloween weekend.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6NH2O4QHQJDBVEUWAPVYMZXX6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873728},"content":"“I remember about two weeks out from when he died, he pulled me aside at the sports centre, from where we used to run around at lunchtime. All the boys were there, and he was like, ‘Ann Marie, I’m so glad I took a chance on you, you’ll fit this programme 100 per cent, I’ve no worries and I’m excited’.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S4MBO7SGQBHONPVAL4NDROTO3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873729},"content":"“Then it came to the Halloween weekend, he said on the Thursday evening, ‘Do you want to go home, or do you want to meet us on Friday?’ I was undecided and he was like, ‘Go home, go home early’.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HHUB4MF63RHEXKGIMNVTKAQEKA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873730},"content":"“And then he met Andrew and Kevin. So I wasn’t there . . . but my last conversations with him were second to none, he was so proud to take me under his wing. It was hard for me, I was only with him a couple of months, but the bond we had formed stayed with me.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OCANQC4OHNHE7FHL2MPHLBTKSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873731},"content":"“I think it was Dave [Matthews] who rang me to tell me. Then I remember we went to his funeral, and we had a run in our programme that day, and the boys were like, ‘We can’t miss it, let’s go’. And I’ll never forget running around UCD and it rained heavy on us, I just thought, ‘he’s testing us!’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"PWAQHH7PNJD5FBUMQNGHVL2PZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873732},"content":"Fast forward a decade or so, and after winning the Irish indoor title over 800m in 2008, having won her first national underage title at age 13, McGlynn drifted away from running. She’d met her husband Trevor through his training group and, although they briefly contemplated moving back in Tullamore, settled instead in Strabane, Co Tyrone.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B4I4YLQ3PZHZREOUPB47WGKIGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873733},"content":"“We went to Tullamore for a wet week, and he was like, ‘no, it’s not for me’ and he had a place eyed up for a barber shop just outside Strabane.","type":"text"},{"_id":"26K6HIDESFAZXFR2U4ELWR5QO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873734},"content":"“That was us tied into the North, but I loved it, and it [running] just got harder then. I wasn’t doing the work I should have been doing. I was kind of kidding myself, ‘I’ll do half of that, a bit of this’. Then I put my hand up, and said I’d rather step away and not waste someone’s time coaching me.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IPWH3FEEABGWPDPMW5JJNHKN3M","additional_properties":{"_id":"TMOR2XKUU5AR5OVGS7KTJFF7GI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"P2OUIYNYKRFQVEFBU6HTEY7ZB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873735},"content":"“I never talked about coming back, never followed athletics even when I was out. Trevor would say ‘she’s running well’, but I had no interest, never watched it, had no bad feeling towards it. Or regret. Or miss it. It’s mad.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ESYOMEROSZB5DJ4KRPMVM6G7GY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873736},"content":"“I did a bit of, you know, partying and loving life, then we set a date, got married, then we had Lexie, then Alfie . . .”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5DSSDDZPJRDXHLL776P2FG2FTU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873737},"content":"McGlynn trails off here, because this also marked the next turning point in her running career; three weeks after his birth in 2012, Alfie was taken to hospital with a severe dose of bronchiolitis and a collapsed lung.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BSDI72SK6RHWDOFWEQC37APZ6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873738},"content":"“He was originally in hospital for three weeks, between Derry, rushed to ITU in Belfast, then back to Derry to recover. The nurses in Derry thought he’d never be back, but you look at him now, you’d know nothing, he knows nothing, he asks the odd question, but I think that’s why he has the connection with my running.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4DYUABCQVRE6BPMTAAH7BTUAIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873739},"content":"“But back then I just needed something. We were just told maybe he won’t be coming home with us. And I thought ‘oh, he’s coming home!’","type":"text"},{"_id":"7OZ7MDZFBVCYTGRCMJX2UUXVNI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873740},"content":"“I probably didn’t know what depression was before that. The doctor said it to me, but I could just feel myself in a place I was never in before. And it just gave me strength, that’s why I’m here, because he [Alfie] definitely wasn’t coming home, even the doctors were shocked.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6W2X6ROVLLNWCJ7Q3H7WWVCR3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"XIEX5LFKFZH2DOGRAQ2ISQO4SM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"P5XOTEOMHRDHJCOCFS673VDTVY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873741},"content":"“I was just in a bad place, put my shoes on, and ran. And I got fit, and he got healthy. It definitely gave me strength, and I remembered then why I loved running, that it took you to a place that was different, and you had all those endorphins, you’re in a great place mentally, and physically obviously.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OQNBBO2SZFHPNNIG5VEP5C2NMI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873742},"content":"As Alfie grew fit and strong again, so did McGlynn’s running career, starting exactly one year after his birth, in 2013: “I’d looked up Athletics Ireland races, the All-Ireland indoors were on his birthday, and I thought ‘maybe I’ll go there.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCYBUW2J55FONMKE5BUAJJEF7Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873743},"content":"“So I tried the 3k, he was on the sideline, and I swear I was holding back the tears, was in a podium position. I think I was second or third. And that’s also when everyone copped that’s Ann-Marie Larkin! Because it was my first race back as Ann-Marie McGlynn.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UFEWBD5N4ZHNPJEOGTXAIGDZGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873744},"content":"“I got in under the radar, but sure after that everyone got wind of it, Frank Greally of Irish Runner had it, there was no hiding it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QSZRSBC3BRFW7LMONRYDZPTGBE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873745},"content":"Now coached by Emmett Dunleavy, McGlynn had her days of days in last year’s Dublin Marathon, at age 43, finishing fifth-best woman and best of the Irish, with that also winning the national title she’d come so close to in her previous two attempts, in 2022, and 2019.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULRVSCI4WZECJM6RQK4V2ZZB2Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873746},"content":"Peaking in her 40s is not usual. Mayo-born Sinead Diver, also a mother of two and now representing Australia, ran 2:21:34 at the 2022 Valencia Marathon, when (whisper it) she was just over two months shy of turning 46.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TBOTAVWOKVACFBZQWHVPNGUIJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873747},"content":"Heading into Sunday’s race, McGlynn is hopeful of defending her national title, conscious she’s also the marked woman now.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VNEH52NHSBD57DLM6LNAJADVMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873748},"content":"“When I was getting it [the national marathon cup] engraved I said to the guy, ‘I hope I’ll have that back to you next year’. I want to bring it back, don’t want to leave it. I won’t let it be the detriment of my race either.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VPOIYPGVCFESBLKA2KOZLHSEWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873749},"content":"“Like its 26.2 miles. You could be loving life at Roebuck, you get to the American Embassy you could be, ‘argh!’ It’s a long way around for anything to happen, so you just want to hope that your stars align on the day.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GY6QOJ6WZZH3FPAVPLNYZJLHQI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873750},"content":"Just like last year, actually.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Having won her first national underage title at age 13, at 43 the Offaly native claimed the national title by finishing fifth-best woman in the Dublin Marathon"},"display_date":"2024-10-26T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ann-Marie McGlynn interview: ‘I probably didn’t know what depression was before that ... and I remembered then why I loved running’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"BZBXO5JG4OTWIWH4VWHYD4YHBU","auth":{"1":"27fc4c525e295cbf928166566e8b23961cf7b0566f1288d6a1fc4b9554f47431"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/BZBXO5JG4OTWIWH4VWHYD4YHBU.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/26/ann-marie-mcglynn-interview-i-probably-didnt-know-what-depression-was-before-that-and-i-remembered-then-why-i-loved-running/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"3RI3YYOP5JDQPKRAGY7UBWAVPE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":361,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/de2870b2-7793-42e8-88e2-9362547c8332/versions/1729864749/media/68548b67f7f35793080cc0d215fe9e9a_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/25/remembering-jerry-kiernans-enduring-influence-on-the-dublin-marathon/","content_elements":[{"_id":"2ZFMD43PH5C5HGPI7RT4OEXJDM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101889},"content":"My only tip-off was that the park bench in question was somewhere east of Marlay House, within the small cluster of trees around the Grange Road entrance. After that it should be easily identified as the one freshly inscribed with the name Jerry Kiernan.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X7L7TSP6HNBBBAIH7TZH4FKWAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101890},"content":"My search began earlier this week, and promptly reminded me of that scene from In the Name of the Father, where Gerry Conlon’s solicitor Gareth Peirce (deftly played by Emma Thompson) is snooping around park benches in London in between young couples trying to find an old inscription made by the Charlie Burke character, Conlon’s only alibi after he was falsely convicted of the Guildford pub bombings in October 1974, 50 years ago this month.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GAXXRSWM6BHNHP6KTL377K3E2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101891},"content":"The same piece of evidence that in Conlon’s trial was marked “not to be shown to the defence”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3YNVNB6CEFCY5IKM52BRDSKADE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101892},"content":"Kiernan’s inscription soon revealed itself, suitably illuminated by the bright autumn sunshine, a small golden plaque at the top of the park bench with the words:","type":"text"},{"_id":"MNRWTQKR3BHQ7OY6YJZOORD7RQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101893},"content":"<i>In memory of Jerry Kiernan, 31 May 1953 – 21 January 2021</i>","type":"text"},{"_id":"63JOIYTSVBGBPCTOJ2426DXHP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101894},"content":"Whether or not this was deliberately planned for the run-up to Sunday’s <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> is unclear, but it’s a nonetheless timely and fitting tribute, given Kiernan’s still enduring influence and impact on the event. With the possible exception of Dublin Marathon co-founder Noel Carroll, Kiernan is still the one athlete who comes to my mind when the event rolls around every October bank holiday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GQFYR245QRA3XFKKD354EP4HCQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101895},"content":"It was said to me later that this part of south county Dublin wasn’t really Kiernan’s old ground, unlike say Belfield, or Leopardstown Racecourse. As a matter of fact, one of Kiernan’s all-time favourite runs, both from his own competitive days and later when coaching his many young proteges, was up the brutally steep climb of Kilmashogue Lane, just out the top entrance to Marlay Park off College Road.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QRCL6PXBUVA3LIQQEVGNIZAYPE","additional_properties":{"_id":"664IIDNWKNBJBAPXXYLDAO4H2E"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"DRGN7VT3ZBFZBJ242YSV3APE44","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101896},"content":"Go back over the previous 42 editions of the Dublin Marathon, and few if any athletes tore into the classic distance with greater intent than Kiernan did in 1982, when making his marathon debut. Then aged 29, Kiernan had watched the first two editions of the event, Dick Hooper winning the first race in 1980, then Neil Cusack in 1981, and reasoned that he had regularly beat those two on the roads.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QOSMPE477NDSJLXTMJJXMYM3HA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101897},"content":"So, by the 15-mile marker, Kiernan was running close to the world record, his Clonliffe Harriers club-mate David Taylor acting as a sort of unofficial pacemaker alongside him. Despite stopping to walk three times before the finish around Merrion Square, Kiernan still won in 2:13:47, which would stand as the Dublin course record until 2004.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RUE43OMGVVGCTN24GYX46N2JRA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101898},"content":"Kiernan would win Dublin again in 1992, and the lesson of that first race perhaps applied most memorably at the 1984 Olympic marathon in LA, where he moved more sensibly through the miles to finish ninth in a lifetime best of 2:12:20.","type":"text"},{"_id":"35EDLC7INRCI7EOWVRRNKYDHUA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101899},"content":"Incidentally, there was also a memorial bench unveiled for Carroll a few years back at his home village of Annagassan in Co Louth, right where the river Glyde enters the Irish Sea, directly overlooking the small harbour and across the road from the house where Carroll was born and raised.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CX3255RK2NDDLFKSYFL4TVGWQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101900},"content":"It’s inscribed with one of Carroll’s many still enduring running quotes – “There’s a time to train and a time to rest; it is a true test of the runner to get them both right” – which for every runner I know still has lasting purpose and meaning.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LOU752YVWZNB5KJCSZ3F2NP6OE","additional_properties":{"_id":"57WFNJIK7RAVDMDA4BTDEAJ2LA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JSVV7BUCONB77DNQOVPXMDPYVM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101901},"content":"When Carroll helped start up that first Dublin Marathon in 1980, of course he felt obliged to run it too, even though it was a long way off his best distance of 800m. “It’s not the distance that kills, it’s the pace,” he would later say of the marathon, wise words that still ring perfectly true.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N2KQECZDSBGFPP6OLIUF7Y5GLY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101902},"content":"Carroll’s sudden death this weekend 16 years ago – mid-stride, as it were, after his regular lunchtime training run around UCD – still feels unfathomable. Carroll was only 56, the embodiment of clean living and physical fitness, the sadly gentle irony being he died of a suspected heart attack doing what he loved to do all of his life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7Q2X7JFXHBFGHMKIB7BVOPFXY4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101903},"content":"So much of what Carroll achieved came from the heart of distance running, and when it came to the art itself, he lived by his first and most lasting mantra: “You either ran today or you didn’t.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NEZXD634WVCWNA2DMG6LCZ4N64","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101904},"content":"Indeed Carroll’s memorial bench at Annagassan could be inscribed with any one of those many enduring running quotes; “Have you run yet today?”; “If you find yourself too busy to run on any given day, then you’re too busy”; or my old favourite, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only weak runners”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IKBMZRHMPZHO7KXDK2XTYWJJB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101905},"content":"When after Kiernan’s death following a short illness in January of 2021, aged 67, his long-time friend, training partner and running ally Murt Coleman first toyed with the idea of setting up the Jerry Kiernan Foundation, the intention was two-fold. Yes, to raise some funds for the young athletes who might not otherwise be eligible for financial assistance, but also as a way to keep giving back some of what Kiernan still left behind, remembering him not just in words but some meaning too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6I7BUO6T3BEDXKHM7H5ZGWVLTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101906},"content":"Coleman also saw how even a little financial support could go a long way. In 1984, the headmaster at Kiernan’s old school, St Brigid’s in Foxrock, had raised, without any request, a small contribution towards Kiernan’s Olympic preparations that summer. It afforded him the chance to travel to Los Angeles well in advance and complete the acclimatisation process.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3XAPRLZRR5AZJJ4MTLZJQIXQGY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101907},"content":"Speaking to me ahead of Sunday’s Dublin Marathon, Hugh Armstrong, the 30-year-old from Mayo who is also one of the favourites to win the national marathon title, highlighted some of the difficulties of effectively training full-time for marathon (his best time is 2:12:26), while also working full-time (Armstrong has been an accountant with An Post since 2022), and all without any sponsor.","type":"text"},{"_id":"273EKZHRWVBQJPR42AOFMDT3SQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101908},"content":"“I’d love to go full-time, if I could afford it, or even take a few months off to focus only on training for a short period of time,” Armstrong said, before also stressing his appreciation for the small financial assistance he gets from the Jerry Kiernan Foundation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AJ5GS26KBNGWHGGTBIC7F5N4XQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101909},"content":"The sort of small touches that Kiernan himself always appreciated.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"A trip to Marlay Park this week brought back memories of the man who won the race twice, including at his first attempt in 1982"},"display_date":"2024-10-25T13:53:53.039Z","headlines":{"basic":"Remembering Jerry Kiernan’s enduring influence on the Dublin Marathon","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"X5RZWBIQOFAYTI32UTESHICFFY","auth":{"1":"651f180cafea6fbc7c65805ab672ee32a4d271b2e90c7f0a09e1407f9f816ee4"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/X5RZWBIQOFAYTI32UTESHICFFY.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/25/remembering-jerry-kiernans-enduring-influence-on-the-dublin-marathon/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"R4TFIN4Q6JDWTFLWZQUQPBKXPY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":226,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/319c52fe-4ad0-4f79-9961-65c37ac9a82d/versions/1729792109/media/61085c75b7935fcdadbfa6f94579807e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/25/hugh-armstrong-coming-into-dublin-marathon-with-strong-form/","content_elements":[{"_id":"BMJEGN72IZAPHGO5TNEL62NCYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869256},"content":"Back in 2001, keen to boost the number of Irish entries, organisers of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> started a countdown series of races that also became a good indicator of marathon potential come the day itself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4T7K4CPRN5CKVM5VVGEUD7J5JY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869257},"content":"In advance of this Sunday’s marathon, Hugh Armstrong became the first man to win all four countdown races — the now five-mile, 10km, 10-mile, and half-marathon — and that’s unquestionably a good indication of his potential.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6Q4G75ESQJEFBJTWMI7F5IGHXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869258},"content":"Since 2003, Dublin has also doubled as the national marathon, and it was here five years ago that Armstrong made his marathon debut, finishing third best Irish man in 2:14:22. He’s since run 2:12:26 (in Seville in 2020) and 2:13:24 in Hamburg earlier this year, and the 30-year-old from Ballina, who now lives in Dublin working as an accountant with An Post, is upbeat about his prospects.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N4VFBYZIFFERDOY4E5NFPAKUWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869259},"content":"“I do feel like I’m probably capable of running close to my best if we get a good day in Dublin,” he says. “It’s a tough enough course, but you can run fast, Stephen Scullion ran around 2:12 or just under in the last few years in it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y3KDYAUZABCT3BBABHWRJZXML4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869260},"content":"“When I ran that 2:13 in Hamburg I was still doing a good percentage of my training on the cross-trainer, as I was coming back from injury. This time now I’ve been able to up the mileage that bit more so.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XMYQUKFRDBBDXC7EPBF7FRBIQA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869261},"content":"Armstrong identifies Hiko Tonosa as one of his main rivals for that national title on Sunday and for good reason. At age 29, having first sought asylum in Ireland from his war-torn village in Ethiopia in 2017, and a citizen since March 2020, Tonosa was well on course to qualify for the Paris Olympics when passing the halfway mark in last April’s London Marathon in 63:39.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GJIENKE5JJDXHK5PS5JUAPLSXU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869262},"content":"It was only in the final few miles that he dropped off that pace, and having recently run 1:02:46 at the Larne half-marathon in August, he looks well primed for a top finish on Sunday. Tonosa’s best of 2:15:01 was run in Valencia back in January.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZBHBLQIUVGV3OTQQ5AAPISTYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"LYUNUCMWEZHF5GDTG666FGTHDU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UDINUO5GZ5EGZCPKND65JXV4YQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869263},"content":"There will be plenty of runners for Armstrong to contend with, including Cork’s Ryan Creech of Leevale AC, who achieved a personal best of 2:12:28 in Seville earlier this year, and was second Irishman last year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TINF7GPSZRHQRCKLVG6VPUFBVM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869264},"content":"Armstrong also won his first national title in September, at the Charleville half-marathon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZYY4JSVS7BHZNNU64EJEP27UEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729790231218},"content":"“I’ve won a medal in the marathon, won a medal in the half before, and on the track, but not the gold before, so that was good. The international field also looks very strong, so there will be plenty of people to run with.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XV757YUC7REW7ND5A6227ISWJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869265},"content":"Spain’s Aya Lamdassem is considered the leading contender for the men’s overall win, with a personal best of 2:06:25 achieved in Seville in 2022, along with Aweke Ayalew from Bahrain, Abebaw Desalew from Ethiopia and Amine Khadirir from Cyprus.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3QSJWTWSZFBU7EBVLLAEXUVUWQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869266},"content":"Sorome Negash, also from Ethiopia, is back to defend her women’s title, won last year in 2:26:22, along with fellow Ethiopian Muliye Dekebo, who has a best of 2:25:35.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IUWOHYP3FRCZDEHJW5KCG44UJA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869267},"content":"Ann-Marie McGlynn, who finished fifth overall last year and first Irish woman in 2:34:13, is aiming to defend her national title, The 44-year-old, originally from Tullamore, now lives in Strabane with her family.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6SBLD6BFLNGKPDKLFMXM4AUUKI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869268},"content":"McGlynn will face competition from Gladys Ganiel of North Belfast Harriers, who finished second in last year’s national championship. Other national title contenders include Caitlyn Harvey (Road Runners AC) and Grace Lynch (DSD AC).","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Ballina native upbeat about title prospects as ‘capable of running close to my best if we get a good day’ in the city"},"display_date":"2024-10-25T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Hugh Armstrong coming into Dublin Marathon with strong form","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"CN4FMTOWGYRCWQF7SNKCMEJF74","auth":{"1":"d3964cca2fab1eac9ec5e61c1616bdc25d64108e9f1a7f033490f92d90b18be9"},"focal_point":{"x":3460,"y":943},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/CN4FMTOWGYRCWQF7SNKCMEJF74.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/25/hugh-armstrong-coming-into-dublin-marathon-with-strong-form/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"6DQ2U46IL5CJ3D42VJI5S6WWLY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":397,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/ffd2df2c-8fe5-4fd2-9d42-d4815ba7211c/versions/1729778659/media/067cbc6daba607942152fc5a10bd5a3c_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/24/sonia-osullivan-a-home-victory-would-be-worth-so-much-more-to-the-dublin-marathon-than-course-records/","content_elements":[{"_id":"LVX6ZFO2ORH55MVVSEWODJ62G4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939249},"content":"Since its humble beginnings in 1980, it was an achievable target for our best runners to win or at least get on to the podium in the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> . Then over the last decade or so all that slowly and then suddenly changed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z6FEQAOBBJDDBGRRW2PIJ64M7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939250},"content":"This Sunday’s Dublin Marathon doubles as the National Championship so it will provide extra motivation for Irish athletes to line up and be as competitive as they can.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NL3VDAG2EFD4ZKWYQ2IZ3YMO6U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939251},"content":"In the 42 previous editions of the Dublin Marathon, there have been 12 Irish winners of both the men’s and women’s races. Times have changed, and Dublin is now highly regarded as an international big city marathon, so inevitably faster athletes have been invited to come and race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N7WK3SQHLVA6DGBSTS2SKQGJUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939252},"content":"Is there any great connection between these athletes and the general public watching? If anything, it can take away from the visibility and encouragement given to Irish athletes to be able to compete at their home event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"36PQZZ5BTVDJDGKRPJE45K7CAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939253},"content":"The international autumn marathon season is in full swing and there seems to be no ceiling on the women’s world record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OQVQOC2U4NEUJKJBWVLC5O2BHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729778337423},"content":"Earlier this month, Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich took nearly two minutes off the world record in Chicago, raising plenty of eyebrows in the process, smashing the 2:11:53 set just over a year previous in Berlin by Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KDUNW44WFJD55NXHS66U2Q5PIY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939254},"content":"So the fastest time by a woman now stands at 2:09:56, running at sub-five minute miles, which not so long ago was seen as a benchmark for pretty good running by a male marathon runner.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PVCBWVEI6VHBTLZ3DVJYFTQTLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939255},"content":"In fact, Stephen Scullion is the only Irishman who has officially run faster, with his 2:09:25 from London in 2020, and Chepngetich’s time also equals that run by John Treacy when winning the silver medal at the LA Olympics 40 years ago.","type":"text"},{"_id":"57O5G4QJIFH2DCBVKGUQDVFJMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939256},"content":"There have been some big changes in shoe technology since 2016, which has resulted in the ability to train at a higher level for a number of years now. This also helps with better recovery. As a result, we have seen more and more athletes across all levels push the bar higher every year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PVLP7447VNHDFHZOF2C7KHKSCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939257},"content":"This has resulted in marathon qualifying times for Olympics and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/world-athletics-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">World Championships</a> becoming more and more difficult to achieve for Irish athlete as they have struggled to keep up with the rising standards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M6CCYH5SFREPTC5IHP24TKCLJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939258},"content":"Fionnuala McCormack was our sole Olympic representative in the marathon this year in Paris, and yet she is running times that would leave her 5km behind the best in the world. Her best this year leaves her ranked 290th in the world, 35th in Europe. Remember too Catherina McKiernan still holds the Irish women’s record with her 2:22:23, set in Amsterdam way back in 1998.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZRU3KUYVW5GCNJ6WSN3AGUPSAI","additional_properties":{"_id":"RYLN5YDAVRHOPH5MKYHEWNP35Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ISVYBTUWRBEKXJZ5TNDWFMD6UQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939259},"content":"That’s not necessarily being critical of current Irish marathon standards, but I think there should be some way to mesh these together and encourage Irish athletes to reach a competitive level each year in Dublin and balance the field.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S467U65X6FE2BBENXU6BATMOCQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939260},"content":"We did see the result of this last year, when Scullion raised the excitement levels in the finishing straight when he finished in third place, and in the process ran his second fastest time ever 2:11.51.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6RHCKBENUFBWNCYIIKHYABEC5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939261},"content":"Even though the winner last year, Kemal Husen from Ethiopia, ran a course record 2:06:52, Dublin would not generally be considered a very fast course.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y6CX6V5TSRAKLJCKPWVPJNXMZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939262},"content":"The women’s race record dates back to 2010, when Tatyana Aryasova from Russia set a time of 2:26:13, long before any advancements in shoe technology (though she was later done for doping). So, with good conditions, there is every chance that the women’s record books may be rewritten this weekend.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MUTGAUDCNBCFPNISS46NMYJG7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939263},"content":"The Dublin Marathon has moved with the times and grown to the status it now holds in the marathon calendar among elite athletes due to the generous prize money and record bonuses.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z3CRQOFFONEAPADIQPNCLYITRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939264},"content":"But I think the Dublin Marathon should note what the Melbourne Marathon has done in recent years, and build the fields that create achievable races for national athletes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D2PFSOZKG5BT3DWQLJ6IDTJLW4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939265},"content":"McCormack is never going to line up against a host of Ethiopian athletes that she knows nothing about, but what a sweet victory that would be, just like Treacy when he signed off on his career at the Dublin Marathon in 1993.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P2MW5KVAIZCNJBO3MGKJZGOHGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939266},"content":"Is it really necessary to field a race of unknown athletes who literally just take the money and run? I believe the Dublin Marathon deserves to get better value and return for the prize money, and bonus money, that it dishes out every year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YHCQXBDRXBAZTA6EL65LISNZMI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729774229593},"content":"There is a shortfall that needs to be bridged and we can’t continually rely on the same athletes to turn up each year when there must be so many more people running and competing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZBHBLQIUVGV3OTQQ5AAPISTYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"HXCTI7O7NRAABMIBZXTHBONDZM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2TFW7VRPBZCULL5FRN6T55F5EA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939268},"content":"We have seen Irish athletes step up on the track this year but the marathon runners are lagging behind and it makes you wonder if we will ever be able to turn that around again. And is the gap so great that athletes are discouraged to push beyond the comfort zone?","type":"text"},{"_id":"NL5PJ4NGKFBQDIA6IPRBPZSWKI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729774229596},"content":"As a mass participation event, Dublin is more attractive than ever and now requires success in the ballot entry to claim one of the limited 22,500 places. It is also a huge platform for so many runners taking to the streets of Dublin to raise funds for their chosen charity, headlined this year by Colin Farrell, who has already raised over €600,000 for his chosen charity <a href=\"http://debra.ie/\" target=\"_blank\">Debra.ie</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SSC5HNNXQBEPTADCDISJ6T6LGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939270},"content":"On any big marathon day there is a lot going on but the one thing that always stands out is the competition leading the way when the gun goes off. Dublin has been successful in so many ways continuing to support Irish marathon runners, but there is still so much more room for growth if we are to be competitive internationally.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MPFAVQHCHRHNPPY3S232RO5GEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939271},"content":"There is a chance that Hiko Tonosa will be rise to the occasion and contest for a podium in the men’s race on Sunday, as Scullion did a year ago when finishing third overall, but he needs to line up believing this is absolutely possible.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JLOHO4UU2JAMFIPLP5XFBCJKOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939272},"content":"Tonosa recently ran the half marathon in 62:46 in Larne, a time which, if he has prepared as well for the marathon, should equate to around 2:11:43. Based on 2023 that would put him in the mix to get a podium finish.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K7QGCZJCJNAU5OVR4ZIC7J4WQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939273},"content":"This is what the Dublin Marathon needs – more home interest at the front of the field. And that is something that can be achieved. A home victory is worth so much more to the Dublin Marathon than course records. Something to think about for 2025.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}},"name":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Is it really necessary to field a race of unknown athletes in the Dublin Marathon who literally just take the money and run?"},"display_date":"2024-10-24T13:59:08.049Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sonia O’Sullivan: A home victory would be worth so much more to the Dublin Marathon than course records","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"QOPB4PVZ7RG77FNUGRRC6HHFRE","auth":{"1":"174637880840948bff37e4621ededc7d49393522200e69569e4a1bdaa0e7d976"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/QOPB4PVZ7RG77FNUGRRC6HHFRE.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/24/sonia-osullivan-a-home-victory-would-be-worth-so-much-more-to-the-dublin-marathon-than-course-records/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"M6HENRVMX5FRBAHYQQC5G4XRPE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":205,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/112934af-77b7-4105-8586-6b174c309f0f/versions/1729706825/media/97fc36453311be91f5c35ca70750607f_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/23/british-shot-putter-and-worlds-strongest-man-winner-geoff-capes-dies-aged-75/","content_elements":[{"_id":"YDWOH4FUSNH35CX44QDAPVQSBQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128111},"content":"Geoff Capes, who competed for Britain in the shot put at three Olympic Games, won two Commonwealth titles and twice won the World’s Strongest Man competition, has died aged 75.","type":"text"},{"_id":"37ZXDMKTDVAO3KUIH3V2M7XNHE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128112},"content":"A family statement said: “The family of Geoffrey Capes would like to announce his sad passing today, October 23rd. Britain’s finest shot-putter and twice world’s strongest man.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QWIL5KRAF5GKBM5CFN5PIZNHTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128113},"content":"Capes was at the height of his sporting prowess in the 1970s, competing in the Britain team for 11 years, and racking up the largest number of athletics caps in history for his country. He became a household name in Britain after his track and field career was over, starring in the hugely popular Superstars TV programme which attracted 10 million viewers at its height and then winning the famous World’s Strongest Man title in 1983 and 1985.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KLY2LNPJYVFADGIXFHZMQ7XXBE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128114},"content":"Capes was UK shot put champion on three occasions. He claimed gold at the 1984 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, when he recorded a record throw of 20.74 metres. He then defended the title four years later in Edmonton, Canada.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5XRLXASUC5CWDMIFSSIHDZWS4U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128115},"content":"He went on to win gold at the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg and Munich in 1984 and 1986, respectively. He also claimed bronze in the European Championships in 1984 in Rome.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HULUMS4RCVEVZNB2KQAFOS5FY4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128116},"content":"Capes represented Britain at three Olympic Games, he was sixth at Montreal 1976 and then fifth at Moscow 1980. He achieved his personal best throw of 21.68m in 1980, which stood as a British record until 2003.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2OAYLOILDBFWHEU5X2MEXM67AI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128117},"content":"The British Olympic medal-winning athlete Katharine Merry posted on X that she was “so sad to hear the news that Geoff Capes passed away” and paid tribute to “a real household name”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PNEQOMRZXNH5NGIWLGS3NE6A4Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128118},"content":"A statement from British Athletics said: “British Athletics are saddened to hear the news of former British shot putter, Geoff Capes’ passing. Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this time.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VACMXERQC5GIZPM72MENHH2AMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128119},"content":"The strongman was not limited in his pursuits by brawn and muscle as the other world title he held was the unexpected one of breeding budgerigars. He told the Guardian in 2003 of his passion for the birds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A45NKDARHNERBNIZIOUZMJQ2FU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128120},"content":"“It all began in 1969,” he related, “when I was a policeman and went to deliver a warrant for non-payment of a fine. As I knocked on the recipient’s door, I saw lots of cages in the front room, full of birds of an incredible array of colours. I was intrigued.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D6ZDS4UDXZGTNCXK5EOO73WSQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128121},"content":"“I went in and had a cup of tea with the owner, and spent an hour talking to him about his hobby. It was a shame that at the end of it I had to tell him I was arresting him.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WUIW2LDG7NEORKFOG2QTUNZ2EE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128122},"content":"“But after I’d taken him down to the station and sorted out bail, he came back with a gift for me – three pairs of budgies. I went and got everything I’d need – a shed, breeding units, an aviary – and I’ve been breeding the birds ever since.” – Guardian","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Tony Paley"}]},"description":{"basic":"Capes starred in the hugely popular Superstars TV programme which attracted 10 million viewers at its height"},"display_date":"2024-10-23T17:55:30.071Z","headlines":{"basic":"British shot putter and World’s Strongest Man winner Geoff Capes dies aged 75 ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"AVLVMQVHEBE3JNLOVLAHZAN2VM","auth":{"1":"f8c73781a69415df83bbad8318afba1aaf3e3199a20035da03ab97ec999f3a04"},"focal_point":{"x":2471,"y":2061},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/AVLVMQVHEBE3JNLOVLAHZAN2VM.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/23/british-shot-putter-and-worlds-strongest-man-winner-geoff-capes-dies-aged-75/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"2XNTHT2OPVHV7OFJLIW24RSDJY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":389,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/ac549750-0348-4f0a-8dd6-7b6948fc7888/versions/1729530369/media/b2f14c07eb66c81e9ecd75de40226414_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/21/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sundays-dublin-marathon/","content_elements":[{"_id":"TZASNQLAXRGMNK2CLFNNTMJ7EA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798758},"content":"The 43rd running of the Irish Life Dublin Marathon is all set for this Sunday, October 27th, and effectively follows the same 26.2-mile route as recent years, only with two pivotal changes: the start line, and the finish line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5XWLHTES7FD4HI7UOSSD3B23KA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798759},"content":"There was some talk after last year’s event that the start and finish might be moved out of the city centre altogether, given the “disproportionate adverse impact” the race has on public transport services, although thankfully sense prevailed and the changes are quite minimal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C7SPYZOU7JBOXA5WA2HS4SUQGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798760},"content":"Like every other year, all marathon journeys are about reaching your destination: the finish! Here’s everything else you need to know:","type":"text"},{"_id":"5IJ76SDKK5DSFPNYUHWA4HICMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798761},"content":"Q. So what are those exact changes to the start and finish compared to last year?","type":"header"},{"_id":"L6KND4U2X5BJBB3WILCZ2S6YZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798762},"content":"The new start line is on Leeson Street Lower, shortly before entering on to St Stephen’s Green, and then 26.2 miles later it will finish on Mount Street Upper, remaining within the Dublin 2 area.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MSGLWSPRVVG2TI5UETZSW5YYQM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798763},"content":"This represents only a minor adjustment to previous years, when the race started on Fitzwilliam Street Upper and finished on Merrion Square North.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VOEPFTUWINAEVNSVCMXNDKWPVU","additional_properties":{"_id":"IQY33O4Y4FD2JKVQPZPHSWMWXE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QVYC34WXKVEZFHIK2T2LMUURYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798764},"content":"Q. What about the actual start times?","type":"header"},{"_id":"TAO3QWKIZJDIJFL5BIBOPDIK24","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798765},"content":"In all, the Dublin Marathon event will have five start times, starting with the wheelchair participants at 8.40am. They will be followed by wave 1 at 8.45am, wave 2 at 9.05am, wave 3 at 9.25am and wave 4 at 9.45am.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3BH7LDG2FBL3G2MZMEDR6GSGU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798766},"content":"The main advice from Dublin Marathon race director Jim Aughney is that because the new start line on Leeson Street is about 3m narrower than last year, runners should give themselves a little more time to get to the start and also ensure they’ve dropped off their baggage at Merrion Square.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QUGWILE4UZFENNCMJ43NSPQQHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798767},"content":"Plan for at least an hour before, allowing time for a very gentle 10-minute jog. The clocks going back on Saturday night also afford an extra hour in bed, remember!","type":"text"},{"_id":"7GEY7P4NONEP3KUG7NXOE6LVAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798768},"content":"Make sure you’re also well familiar with the start area and race-entry routes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"J4OHVIQCCFDF5NHCLS7LFTGLHE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729529759319},"content":"The course remains open for seven hours from when the last person crosses the start line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PSRFCAE65RCRPLU6LGGIQNJQ5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798769},"content":"Q. Any chance of a late entry?","type":"header"},{"_id":"PK7KWBI7WVDDRO2OCUUUPGRNKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798770},"content":"Eh, absolutely no chance. All 22,500 entries are long since sold out, with around 40,000 entry requests in all. There was a longer entry transfer window this year, up to the end of August, which organisers hope will reduce the number of runners unable to make the start line on the day.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SQL35E3IRFAO7F3BYOL3FUY4VQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798771},"content":"Q. What about picking up my race number?","type":"header"},{"_id":"XV6G5Y7I7JBZ3BZIZ2WSERINEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798772},"content":"This can only happen in person at the Dublin Marathon Expo in the Main Hall of the RDS this Friday, October 25th (12pm-7pm) and then Saturday, October 26th (9am-6pm). Remember to bring some ID (Passport, Student Photo, Driving License or Government Issued Photo ID, etc).","type":"text"},{"_id":"LSO235R5UZGQJIFQRIQS57HKVY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798773},"content":"The cut-off time for pack collection is 6pm on Saturday. After all those long, hard miles clocked up by now, there’s no excuse for missing that. Remember at the baggage drop-off, only the clear plastic bags provided at registration are allowed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3O36NRSCZREHZF7GAPZS4XRQO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798774},"content":"Q. So I’ve designated my wave start, but can I swap?","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZJ3SAITHRFESLHBBXMCDOI26WA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798775},"content":"Wave positions are allocated by your own predicted finishing times, and while moving up a wave is not allowed, runners can choose to move down a wave. It doesn’t make any difference in the end anyway, your start time only begins once you cross the starting line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EMFC3MZVUVALPESCV4AE5Q6SMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798776},"content":"Q. Should I consider following one of the designated Dublin Marathon pacers?","type":"header"},{"_id":"3NFKYOCKEZGVTNQJZI32BBMWMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798777},"content":"Dublin provides several different sets of pacers on the day, and if you’re confident and feeling safe in your target finish time, this is definitely a good idea.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M6IGEPA35JDQ3HPRFXKM36APOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798778},"content":"The pacers run at a steady effort throughout, aiming to finish a few seconds under each time band. Pacers are allocated to each wave as follows: Wave 1- 3:00, 3:10, 3:20; Wave 2 – 3:30, 3:40, 3:50; Wave 3 – 4:00, 4:10, 4:20; Wave 4 – 4:30, 4:40, 4:50, 5:00.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TXBNNRW4YJH7PEXS4SRKWFMAFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798779},"content":"There is no requirement to sign up or commit to any pacing group in advance. Simply turn up at your wave start, look for the pacing runners wearing large balloons, and stand in behind the corresponding time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2DFETCWRJNF6DAMJOARQKZDSKQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"SCGSMV3TEBFATNEBK2WC57IBZ4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UWRGMIETNBDTJP77MEQE4A2VHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798780},"content":"Q. Is it better to track my progress in miles or kilometres?","type":"header"},{"_id":"IWM5DZPKZRBHTCJGVMRD6OHBUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798781},"content":"It doesn’t matter what you’re counting – the 138,336ft or 60,000-odd strides for that matter – it doesn’t get any shorter, and there are certainly no shortcuts. However, the Dublin Marathon is only marked at every mile, and every 5km, and also the halfway point.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RI7W3KJOPBGRTEYISHEARUZTLE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798782},"content":"Although the marathon, remember, really only starts at 20 miles!","type":"text"},{"_id":"LQ5NSZ4N7FB2BHKSGXL777S2KU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798783},"content":"Q. Should I consider bringing my own water?","type":"header"},{"_id":"TLZBANCFUVCO3IY3CXCNDIHZCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798784},"content":"This should not be necessary, unless that’s already been a part of your training routine. Like every big city marathon, Dublin has ample refreshment stations – 10 in total. Look at the route map and note in advance where exactly they are.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5WDIH3UUDVFRDBKST4SSFDOY7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798785},"content":"Also note what’s on offer: 250ml bottles of Ishka water are provided, the Lucozade Sport stations serve cups in a variety of flavours, High5 gels are also supplied at two stations on the route. But if you haven’t tried that particular brand before, Sunday is probably not the time to do so.","type":"text"},{"_id":"666XS3SHVJEURIUM5HUVZM5KFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798786},"content":"Q. Where is the best place to watch?","type":"header"},{"_id":"7GHSRDWZAFBL3KKTSRVKQ3DKRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798787},"content":"There are several Irish Life Support Zones along the course, as well at the Irish Life Mile, which is a designated support area for a one-mile stretch down Northumberland Road, approaching the finish.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LD5QMA3ZWNFGXDKCITMD23V6UE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798788},"content":"For friends and family who are unable to attend and show their support on the day, live streaming will be available for the entire duration of the marathon on the Dublin Marathon YouTube channel.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CPA2WR5R3ZA3BELMF4M5NVINNI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798789},"content":"Those living or working near or along the race route can find full details of the road closures on Sunday at <a href=\"http://www.irishlifedublinmarathon.ie/traffic-information/\">www.irishlifedublinmarathon.ie/traffic-information/</a>","type":"text"},{"_id":"LASTUA4U2BHCXNLIG4LZBLZVRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798790},"content":"Good luck to all!","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sunday will be the 43rd running of the Dublin Marathon"},"display_date":"2024-10-21T18:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Dublin Marathon 2024: Everything you need to know including start times, route map and new starting line","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"CEKWOLKM4XAAUP6BYUOPNU2RQU","auth":{"1":"246efff125ccedb66911a7c29738d556cd509113d99d48f74028ef63959b31ff"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/CEKWOLKM4XAAUP6BYUOPNU2RQU.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/21/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sundays-dublin-marathon/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"X3ZSRVXENFCFBC4J2EAPHAZACE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":385,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/4f8c6d28-91cc-4762-bf64-7f76111fa169/versions/1729435191/media/1bb419bef3a8323226a9920db05a52af_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/21/after-the-olympics-athletes-face-a-further-tough-challenge-the-comedown/","content_elements":[{"_id":"TBROLE7DPNGOFDHLYWUT7HQTXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999223},"content":"After the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympics</a>, every athlete has a different landing. For years they knew where they were going. And now? Maybe not. They had a vision of how this dream would be fulfilled, or how it would make them feel, or how it would change their lives. And maybe they were wrong about everything.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTUSIAZUONERTIGM2OVYL7LQJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999224},"content":"By now, you have looked away. For two weeks you thought the Olympics was a banquet for national morale, but in sport’s great sushi bar, the carousel keeps turning and there is another plate under your eyes. You’ve forgotten many of their names. For you, it was a giddy, summer fling.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6PD26LJ6EJBR3KYZHECYNQE5WU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999225},"content":"For the athletes, there is no easy break-up. They couldn’t have reached the Olympics without an unconditional investment of their whole selves. As you have heard in a million ads for financial institutions, the value of your investment can go up as well as down. At the Olympics, the most common outcome is failure. It is the only way for glory to exist.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YNXNNQT2TZDIRGRLWHC4OWWAZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999226},"content":"Every Olympian needs an exit strategy. Or access to mediation. They have life choices to make. Can they countenance another four years? Can they sustain it? Justify it? Did the Olympics just spit them out? Between winning and losing lies a spectrum of complex experiences. Each one requires attention.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C5WJMOTN4VHP3JNVEITVWLNCSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999227},"content":"In 2003, shortly after he joined Irish boxing’s high-performance programme, Billy Walsh shared his Olympics experience with a group whose sights were trained on Athens. Walsh had been sorely overlooked for the LA Games in 1984, so he kept going for the next Olympic cycle. In Seoul, though, he lost his first bout, beaten by a Korean who he had knocked out six months earlier.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EWUHJMNACBG7VCOGNG36VCZQ5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999228},"content":"The nuts and bolts of the narrative were that he was cut twice in the fight, but that was why he lost rather than why he didn’t perform. He couldn’t explain it, and for a long time he couldn’t leave it behind.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H7JEOA3EOZBDNOPTAME4YMZ64U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999229},"content":"“I was devastated,” Walsh said, years later. “I let everyone down: my town, my county, my country. It was a nightmare. What did I feel? Anger. Frustration. Probably a lot of feeling sorry for myself as well. Putting all your lifetime’s ambition into this and then you get your shot and you don’t do it. Which was probably one of the reasons why you didn’t do it – because of the pressure you put on yourself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DX2WITW475BS3C4XBXTSFJDRKA","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZSS46RIZDBEZHO2HJGRBJITJHI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"WPMXC4FULFACDNV2OBTMXPIBAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999230},"content":"“Talking to the boxers that day I just broke down with the emotion of it. It was still there with me, it still resided with me. It took me the best part of 17 years to come to terms with it. It’s only when I started the job [in the high-performance unit] and started talking to the boxers about it that I started to get over it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"T4N3C7EJD5G2FLA5JQJOXBM7FQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"TK2GWTQJDVBK5J3DL65FKRBVMI"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"XRYYMKLGPVAFLJBUDPPI6GVZXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999231},"content":"Dr Karen Howells, an academic and sports psychologist, told the New York Times recently that she had “not yet met an Olympian who hasn’t experienced” what is often called the post-Olympic blues. Dr Cody Commander, the Team USA mental health officer for the Tokyo Games, describes it “as a crash of emotions”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7VG37ZBLTZDY5DXJKHO5CXSTHQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999232},"content":"“Elite athletes are used to having each minute planned every day for years,” he said. “When there’s no plan, it’s the feeling of ‘I’m lost’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"KM7DPZC6JREDVJUBBQ7CNGT4I4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999233},"content":"After the Tokyo Games a study of 49 Danish Olympians and Paralympians showed that 27 per cent of them reported “below-average wellbeing or moderate to severe depression”. In what seemed like a counter-intuitive finding, though, 40 per cent of athletes who had achieved their goals still reported “below-average wellbeing” when the Games were over.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EGDXLEGTORHMTCWVS2NJOGIMAI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999234},"content":"Winners are not exempt. The Olympics levies such a tax on the emotions of athletes that winning is not guaranteed to square the books. In an interview with NBC earlier this year Michael Phelps, one of the greatest Olympians of all-time, spoke about his feelings after two astonishing performances at the games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4LXXYSBAKRBVZCIXWN63JCGL5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999235},"content":"In Athens, when he was just 19, he won six gold medals and two bronze; in Beijing he swept the boards with eight gold medals, breaking Mark Spitz’s record of seven from Munich.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EJK36CUBNVA4FMKUBBHJ6GMNKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999236},"content":"“I would say 2004 was my first taste of post-Olympic depression,” said Phelps. “It was basically, you get to the edge of a cliff and, like, ‘Cool. Now what?’ 2008 was my second taste because you were coming off that high of doing something that you set out to do your whole entire life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ITYLSLISVFCVBBPVH5FN3ZPFNE","additional_properties":{"_id":"RV4JYNNO3VHOZCK2PF4NJJQE5A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KBRLXRVEMFEALPMNCO7C7DA6ZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999237},"content":"“I think I saw it as a sign of weakness and if I shared anything about it then it would give my competitors an edge. I’m trying to be better than anybody has ever been. I looked at it as a weakness. I had to learn vulnerability is a good thing and it was scary at first.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ICE6NDEP75G55F55EXLG333MFQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999238},"content":"For the London games the Irish Institute of Sport started putting supports in place, under the leadership of Gary Keegan at the time. For every subsequent Olympics, the processes have been enhanced significantly.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TZECQOSPENFLPITMWSIFNPY55E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999239},"content":"Eoin Rheinisch is head of performance life skills at the Institute now, having competed in canoe slalom at three Olympics. After his first games, in Athens, nothing was in place to break the fall. “I just remember,” he says now, “having a really tough year coming to terms with a bad performance.” He can’t have been alone in those feelings, but there was no place to share them or untangle them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XMA4MI5UNBETVKO7X36KEVDE3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999240},"content":"For <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris</a>, interventions with the athletes started before the games. A “scaffolding”, as Rheinisch describes it, was erected. In parallel with the life skills team is the work of a transition psychologist and others in that space. As soon as the games were over all the athletes had contact from the transition psychologist for an initial debrief.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2L4LHPFOQZDP5I3KY5X3XSDOZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999241},"content":"The next meeting, says Rheinisch, is called “unpacking the bags” – a deep dive into what happened, how they’re feeling, what might happen next and what help is available. Over the last couple of months there has been a series of targeted workshops on all kinds of everything. Early next month there will be a gathering of 40 “athlete-friendly employers”, designed for networking and exploring opportunities. The support is practical and empathetic and comprehensive and vital.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NSCIN5VY5VGR7BKBSRGAHBJYKA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999242},"content":"Not everyone will stay in the bubble. Not everyone has reached a decision yet. Not everyone is coping. The Olympics flashed across our sky, like a comet.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NXKTVFHSVBDG7CPUQSGILROP4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999243},"content":"Then we moved on.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Denis Walsh"}},"name":"Denis Walsh"}]},"description":{"basic":"With life choices to make following the games, every Olympian needs a strategy for moving forward"},"display_date":"2024-10-21T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"After the Olympics, athletes face a further tough challenge: the comedown","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ITV37Y76U5DNFGNWTM5KAUJVLU","auth":{"1":"5ac9631cb67caa4d38e2fb0aa7d840eede3a0d6996e99033ab26db3f910a2de1"},"focal_point":{"x":4676,"y":1912},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ITV37Y76U5DNFGNWTM5KAUJVLU.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/21/after-the-olympics-athletes-face-a-further-tough-challenge-the-comedown/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"ENCFOBDP6RA2JKZJE3ANLNSKJA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":370,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/44aec149-e253-4cfb-b15f-28d96f03991b/versions/1729274382/media/57f38ad1925858a7d4c82fbf7ed353bb_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/19/why-has-the-running-world-turned-its-back-on-the-new-womens-marathon-world-record/","content_elements":[{"_id":"CHZNAGAXXNHD5CRQPKNH43JDLM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801815},"content":"There was a curious response last Sunday afternoon as word began to spread of the new women’s marathon world record run by Ruth Chepngetich in Chicago. Gone was some of the mild scepticism and suspicion which has greeted many of the world athletics records in modern times and instead, most people simply weren’t buying it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HBQXUNG7G5DYZAV2DEHIYKZIJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801816},"content":"It wasn’t just that her winning time of 2:09:56 took just under two minutes off the previous mark set this time last year, which was already in previously unfathomable territory; or that Chepngetich won the elite women’s race by almost eight minutes, or well over a mile-and-a-half.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NTLLLJAIMBA6TCVJNERBY5CLYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801817},"content":"At age 30, Chepngetich came to Chicago with some considerable marathon pedigree, a twice-previous winner and 2019 world champion, but she also improved her previous best of 2:14:18 to become the first woman in history to break the 2:10 barrier — 13 months after Tigst Assefa from Ethiopia broke 2:12 for the first time with her 2:11:53 run in Berlin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q4C4L3MD35CH3ESEARUUXZDLEY","additional_properties":{"_id":"PHM32MYCTREIBCCVNI2MWCAL7Q"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"RFTCHSMVT5BWZAJYCTQHJLKXSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729269633319},"content":"Irish marathon aficionados immediately recognised her 2:09:56 as the same time John Treacy ran to win the silver medal in the men’s Olympic marathon in Los Angeles in 1984. That wasn’t hanging around either and would have won Treacy the gold medal in the next <i>five </i>men’s Olympic marathons.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RHK74BSTSJBPJDLEQOIMC7NPS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801819},"content":"For further comparison purposes, her world record is now almost 13½ minutes faster than the Irish women’s marathon record of 2:22:23, set by Catherina McKiernan in Amsterdam in 1998.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QM7ND67ECVATLGQD2OGKE7O5CE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801820},"content":"Much of the response to Chepngetich’s world record did acknowledge the fact she has never failed a doping test, but that certainly doesn’t give her a free pass from any suspicions, especially since Kenyan distance runners have been returning positive doping tests over the last five or six years at a faster rate than any other country in the world.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UXN2GKE23FFI7EU4K2YXEYFCU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801821},"content":"There was some inevitable pointing at her shoes too, Chepngetich wearing the same Nike Alphafly 3 model as spectacularly debuted by Kelvin Kiptum, also from Kenya, when at age 23 he took half a minute off the men’s world record in Chicago last year, winning in 2:00:35. (Tragically, Kiptum was killed in a road accident in Kenya just four months later.)","type":"text"},{"_id":"AF3MN5FHHJCYRNFAMA4E2RZ6UE","additional_properties":{"_id":"VGYCTYVMJNDE3PXO2U7P6YBVTM"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"DG6H2UPYJZC6FN6BW6ALDGFKCI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729269633324},"content":"Impossible as it is to measure, this new era of super-shoes, post-Rio 2016, has undeniably recalibrated men’s and women’s marathon times. At this point, however, their impact should be levelling out, not being accelerated again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3CCFTRGURJFALO43ZVQQ3WP5KE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801823},"content":"There is nothing whatsoever suspicious of Chepngetich’s coach, simply because she doesn’t have one, although her Italian agent Federico Rosa does have a worrying history when it comes to Kenya distance runners (multiple Boston and Chicago champion Rita Jeptoo, and 2016 Olympic champion Jemima Sumgong, among those serving lengthy doping bans).","type":"text"},{"_id":"BH23LR7NDZBYRERUIDGCTM7SEA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729267835756},"content":"Chepngetich was asked straight out about the allegations during her post-race press conference: “Some people may think that the time is too fast and you must be doping. What would you say to them?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MINQHRUS6RDSJEHDSUKKIWGMXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729267835757},"content":"Chepngetich: “You know people must talk but … people must talk so I don’t know.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VA7Q4MWCWBGDBNASQIHWICVDQU","subtype":"twitter","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"KS4WQ6VNBZAX7OYXVQONUWSFBA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801824},"content":"Former Guardian athletics correspondent Duncan Mackay was succinct in his opinion when saying: “I think people have just grown tired at the industrial scale of doping uncovered in Kenyan athletics in recent years which is certainly at least on a par with Russia. This performance from Ruth Chepngetich just seems to have been the straw that has broken the camel’s back and sums up people’s disbelief in Kenyan performances.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QJYGSAC5OFDFRBZV7VUWUFIR3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801825},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"SRRSKE5N5FELJB3IDBTAG7ZU2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801827},"content":"Soon, it felt like almost the entire running world had simply turned its back on Chepngetich’s record. How could it have come to this?","type":"text"},{"_id":"UIBKGTLQ5NHBJGDNVRUAHH5KGY","additional_properties":{"_id":"6JFZUSIDFFD6JGN5POKRNME2FA"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"USL55XRZBBAPROPI4KQIVHUDOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729269633333},"content":"I’ve been fortunate in life to have witnessed dozens of world records, from Michael Johnson and Haile Gebrselassie and Usain Bolt right through to Mondo Duplantis in the pole vault at the Paris Olympics this summer, and even if there was mild scepticism and suspicion about some over the years, they would always excite, maybe even inspire.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XXUKBHDJ3VFFNEXK54NTNZ6PCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801829},"content":"This time it feels utterly different, neatly surmised by US running journalist Amby Burfoot, winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon, who penned his opinion this week under the headline: “Why It’s Hard To Trust Ruth Chepngetich’s Marathon World Record.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"F4QEI2S3JBE27MFMVNAIXF7D5U","additional_properties":{"_id":"SHUHHPGCPNEE5J7AXBBFUD2HOY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZXOFUU5FJRF3ZJMLCXQD6DBDXI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801830},"content":"Burfoot writes: “Ruth Chepngetich’s epic 2:09:56 world record in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday was unequivocally the greatest marathon performance of all time”, before adding: “And that makes me queasy. In fact, I’m outraged.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XHIURMA3VZCW7HGXEEV7DXCEBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729269633337},"content":"“I’m going to try to explain as briefly as possible why I am so troubled by this performance. And I admit that I could be wrong. After all, I have no evidence that Chepngetich cheated, as she has never failed a doping test. But I don’t think I’m wrong. And I don’t think this is a time to be quiet.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LA664P22QVFX5KAY3PSMH6P7AA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801832},"content":"Burfoot then adds: “Maybe we can’t rewrite the record books, but we can still stand up and speak our truth. Because women runners deserve better. Because all runners deserve better. It’s our sport and our stories. Let’s tell them loud and clear, and clean.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"3FRZM6QK6JGI7LTATY4BUEUG24","additional_properties":{"_id":"5YIFN2YBNBEGDLJPO5DGAEW6T4"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"ZJV52F2EWNCJ5NG4FYGZJSKMHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729269633340},"content":"Fellow US running journalist Toni Reavis was equally strident when he wrote: “Some refuse to even consider the possibility of these record times. Others say ‘wait and see if any positive testing follows down the line’, as we have seen many times before. And very few say, ‘everything’s on the up and up. There’s nothing here to see other than a great performance’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DD562M3PFZBGFE7TD5LUQO6I24","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801835},"content":"Christopher Kelsall of Canadian-based Athletics Illustrated also wrote this week that “Chepngetich’s Sunday performance at the Chicago Marathon was paradigm-shifting. For anyone who knows anything about marathon running, it took a second upon first seeing the time to absorb the gravity of it ... When will Wada, and World Athletics put their hands up and consider Kenya a country complicit and needing to be suspended so that they may clean house? Does Chepngetich need to test positive and receive a four-year ban for this to happen?","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q3MPCU6OH5F4TCMOUQPZINGXLE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729269633342},"content":"“When is enough, enough?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVBGUIXHFNDN3OT4LRPJ3K4XXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801838},"content":"That answer for better or for worse may have come in Chicago last Sunday.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Athletics is finding it difficult to trust Ruth Chepngetich’s achievement, but Kenyan distance runners are now held in disrepute"},"display_date":"2024-10-19T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Why has the running world turned its back on the new women’s marathon world record?","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"MTM7QG23DNCGXETSDND45FRYVM","auth":{"1":"749f888bdf66fa62f973de5954cdc578be5be38e065c5686bfb7b1bc246d58f2"},"focal_point":{"x":2293,"y":990},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MTM7QG23DNCGXETSDND45FRYVM.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/19/why-has-the-running-world-turned-its-back-on-the-new-womens-marathon-world-record/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}}],"count":791,"_id":"125e9e5774a1e1e9eba7586320ce49bc1f5b3b7fb2dbca5accef909e7d00929c"},"expires":1740686616814,"lastModified":1740686316133},"{\"feedOffset\":0,\"feedSize\":50,\"includeSections\":\"/sport/athletics\"}":{"data":{"content_elements":[{"_id":"POZC5D3NPVCIXML7EGNC5WQHW4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":196,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/cd7ed66c-6616-4b67-8a90-a531d1698119/versions/1740435027/media/c4324cd7a941317e2340fb86bfd060de_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2025/02/24/ireland-team-named-for-next-months-european-indoor-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"FJQRS7ELKNA4HHFYOQP5SJO5XE","additional_properties":{},"content":"A team of 16 Irish athletes have been selected for next month’s European Indoor Championships in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn, with another three athletes expected to be added when the final qualifying ranking positions are published by European Athletics on Tuesday afternoon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LASI6WWLSBGA7ENITKW5NS3QHQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"The team includes seven relay members, the mixed 4x400m and the women’s 4x400m among the six qualifying nations in what will be a straight final in both events, the championships running from March 6th-9th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YC3BPIFDQFGH7NG4SME3H7Z4BQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Two-time European Indoor medal winner Mark English will once again run the 800m, recently improving his Irish record to 1:45.12, with Cian McPhillips also qualified, having run 1:45.33.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WTKGUSOEFRBNFFLXFHBRER24II","additional_properties":{},"content":"Bori Akinola (60m), Jodie McCann (3,000m), and Cathal Doyle (1,500m) are provisionally selected pending the ranking list, with Doyle currently within a ranking place, the other two sitting just outside it. Conor Kelly is selected for the mixed relay, and may also make the ranking quota for the individual 400m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NGR4NZFMPRDF5DTCJNKFZTMCFQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Both Andrew Coscoran and Sarah Healy have opted to run the 3,000m, both improving the national records in recent weeks, Healy’s run from New York earlier this month ranking her second best in Europe.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WR4TWAY7O5GHBASIVQSDUFTEFE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Sharlene Mawdsley is selected for both relays, plus the individual 400m, and Sarah Lavin will also be eying up a place in the 60m hurdles final, having finished sixth in the last European indoor final in Istanbul.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F3VPTCYNHVE6VKD3MEVG6IKTRE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Kate O’Connor is also a contender for a medal in the pentathlon, having broken the national record with a score of 4,683 in Estonia earlier this month, leaving her ranked second best in Europe this season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N2JXXF2F6NAK5F5TN5Q55QQN7M","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Irish team: </b>Sarah Lavin (60m hurdles, Emerald AC), Sharlene Mawdsley (400m, 4x400m relay, 4x400m mixed relay), Phil Healy (4x400m relay, 4x400m mixed relay, Bandon AC), Rachel McCann (4x400m relay, 4x400m mixed relay, North Down AC), Cliodhna Manning (4x400m relay, Kilkenny City Harriers), Lauren Cadden (4x400m relay, Sligo AC), Arlene Crossan (4x400m relay, Finn Valley AC), Sarah Healy (3000m, UCD AC), Kate O’Connor (Heptathlon, Dundalk St Gerard’s AC), Mark English (800m, Finn Valley AC), Cian McPhillips (800m, UCD AC), Andrew Coscoran (3000m, Star of the Sea AC), James Gormley (3000m, Carmen Runners AC), Conor Kelly (4x400m mixed relay, Derry Track Club), David Bosch (4x400m mixed relay, UCD AC), Marcus Lawler (4x400m mixed relay, Clonliffe Harriers).","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q6STXQXMURGBZIOQO2SDNWLWX4","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Provisional selection: </b>Jodie McCann (3000m, Dublin City Harriers), Bori Akinola (60m, UCD AC), Cathal Doyle (1500m, Clonliffe Harriers).","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Championships to be held in Apeldoorn from March 6th-9th"},"display_date":"2025-02-24T22:05:22.495Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ireland team named for next month’s European Indoor Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"Q4TZSXIBHI3C6WXNUMG2P4XJVQ","auth":{"1":"51a3023345468eeaa3485a13c900bcf40825575eb2420f27771849babc394279"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/Q4TZSXIBHI3C6WXNUMG2P4XJVQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2025/02/24/ireland-team-named-for-next-months-european-indoor-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"HP6HBIBW6NG6TEDFREG5UFGJ7Y","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":289,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/85c02a4e-d627-4140-8028-9ae3a8fd7ada/versions/1740340449/media/ea0e76d4308b97741d38e03066881644_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/23/bori-akinola-runs-down-irelands-fastest-man-israel-olatunde-to-win-first-national-title/","content_elements":[{"_id":"7FOB2LOHXNBLFB2BZDE3DEZCGA","additional_properties":{},"content":"All athletes will say you’re only as good as your last race, only Bori Akinola won’t easily forget the first time he beat <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-olatunde\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-olatunde\">Israel Olatunde</a>. Not soon anyway – their 60 metres showdown at the National Indoor Championships on Sunday also teasing out the latest bragging rights among Ireland’s fastest men.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R55OQDA64VHXZNKXWEBB24UJXQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"In 21 previous races, Olatunde had beaten Akinola in them all, and came to the sold out Sport Ireland Arena at Abbotstown chasing an eighth national title, and a fourth successive indoors. Instead it was Akinola who dominated, winning his first title and delighting himself and many of those around him in the process. Olatunde, Ireland’s fastest man indoors and outdoors, had to settle for bronze.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z4D7MEPXBZEE3LIYMMPQK6EOLQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"After crossing the line, Akinola promptly sprinted back down the track, then over to the spectator stand, embracing his mother Kemi, who was witnessing her son racing in person for the first time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R7ILEVM7UNCNXPB5F3GSBNFI2Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"If the shortest race of the weekend packed in the most intrigue, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-healy\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-healy\">Sarah Healy</a> produced the most impressive winning margin by some distance, breaking the championship record in the 1,500m for the second time in 24 hours, winning in 4:08.74. It was a breathtaking run, even if Healy was running well within herself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z44IZGRNOVCE3A2MCJPBECL7VY","additional_properties":{},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley\">Sharlene Mawdsley</a> also made sure of another title in the 400m, racing clear at the 200m break to win in 51.91 seconds, with Phil Healy second in 53.25. Both athletes are rounding into form ahead of next month’s European Indoor Championships in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn. Conor Kelly from Derry Track Club, still only 17, again improved his national under-20 record when running 46.54 to win the men’s title.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XI6EFZ2EEJAXVNADAI7YFZUW5U","additional_properties":{},"content":"For 23-year-old Akinola, who is nine months older that Olatunde, it was all about the victory, the UCD AC athlete admitting beforehand that so much of his motivation over the winter months was ending his losing streak. With Max O’Reilly of Riverstick/Kinsale AC blasting out of the blocks first, Akinola judged his effort perfectly, coming through to win in 6.61 seconds, improving his previous best of 6.64. O’Reilly held on for silver in 6.69, with Olatunde from Tallaght AC third in 6.72.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M74SXMB37RGOHHCS6BTEKTCV4U","additional_properties":{},"content":"“In my head was just ‘execute’, don’t think about anyone else, or anything else,” said Akinola. “Just go through the motions, get my start right. But it was a great race, I was patient with my entire race, didn’t panic, but went through the phases, and it’s all good, delighted.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7ADBY55545FFQ33IL7DCAYO77U","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LHDGG6XINZGPHPG2TAAGXSZX4M","additional_properties":{},"content":"Although Olatunde appeared short of the form that saw him win here two years ago in 6.57 seconds, he has been training hard over the winter in Florida alongside Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DRCSHT2HGRE2BBMMCHK3BI7QFI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mawdsley has also moved on since the Paris Olympics, now working with UK sprints coach Tony Lester, and after enduring a considerable battle to get through the autograph hunters when coming off the track, she declared herself delighted with her effort.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U3X6T74MTJFN3LQLDF2LPC6CWQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"“The support I had today, when they said my name, was just amazing,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that I attacked that first 200m today, because yesterday, in the semi-final, I didn’t do that. I also think that’s why my 200m is so much better this year, because there’s always so much traffic at the break, and I don’t like traffic. But the 400m never gets easier, no matter how fast or slow you run it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"L4Q3AZLLFFDFZJV7IZSQ6HX67A","additional_properties":{},"content":"Healy has now broken a record of some sort every time she’s raced this season, twice improving her own indoor 3,000m mark, plus the 1,500m mark, before twice improving the championship record here. Her 4:08.74 was effectively run solo from gun to tape, with Lucy Holmes from West Waterford winning the battle for second in 4:23.10.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PXNSTUGWGVFX7P3KOHNB3CADCM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It felt really good, really strong, sometimes it’s nice to have the track all to yourself,” Healy said. “I wasn’t exactly sure of my splits, I wasn’t too bothered about the time when you’re running on your own. But I don’t get to race at home too often, so that’s nice.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"KP6DJJVE6VH3HPVDANFAFWM4YU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Sarah Leahy had to battle hard to win back her 60m title, the Killarney sprinter just getting the better of Limerick’s Ciara Neville, 7.39 seconds to 7.41.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GDQ6M76CYVGI5BX4R7YCBX24OU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Cathal Doyle won a purely tactical men’s 1,500m in 3:58.10, the Clonliffe runner also rounding into form for Apeldoorn, while in the field events, Colm Bourke from Raheny won the long jump after years of trying, with Meabh Corkery from Midleton AC winning the pole vault in 3.40m.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sarah Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley also shine on day two of the National Indoor Championships at Abbotstown"},"display_date":"2025-02-23T18:45:30.958Z","headlines":{"basic":"Bori Akinola runs down Ireland’s fastest man Israel Olatunde to win first national title","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"2C3WQC766UHLDM5CTCNYMHD7XQ","auth":{"1":"796b4d5ec8cecf757699f710ee08850812c21652a230857528b692d9d18a6bd5"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/2C3WQC766UHLDM5CTCNYMHD7XQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/23/bori-akinola-runs-down-irelands-fastest-man-israel-olatunde-to-win-first-national-title/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"MLDSDOD22BHTFAJJH57YGFWEDQ","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":221,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/a1c73659-9a39-41da-b709-55d2313ed952/versions/1740251364/media/e52e2da4a05d9e6805fbe4c1bd1c2f45_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2025/02/22/sarah-healy-and-marcus-lawler-set-new-championship-marks-at-irish-indoors/","content_elements":[{"_id":"QQTS7CUDCVENVJSSJD6HTJLSSA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Championship records by <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-healy\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-healy\">Sarah Healy </a>and Marcus Lawler were among the standout performances on the first day of the Irish Indoor Athletics Championships, with the promise of more to come at the sold-out Sport Ireland Arena on Sunday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"26X73QLM6ZD3HOHKRD7V5AR3MM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Healy was running the 1,500 metres heats seven days after improving her own national senior record to 4:01.62, and she simply cruised through to Sunday’s final, her winning time of 4:12.37 improving the championship record of 4:13.96, set by Fionnuala McCormack back in 2013.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q7FUPEZNHBEVFM6JEXQ5DUBMBI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Just turned 24, Healy has indicated her preference to race the 3,000m at the European Indoor Championships in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn next month, and has clearly brought a new consistency to her racing which can only auger well for her medal prospects.","type":"text"},{"_id":"37OF765MT5BK7DSJFZKBY6HFQQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 200m is not a championship race at European level, still Lawler went all out to win the national title. The Carlow athlete won by over a second in 20.74, eclipsing the championship record of 20.77 set two years ago by Mark Smyth,","type":"text"},{"_id":"5BUTLJ54WJH5RCNVJRLNCLV36A","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I was the form runner coming into these championships and I had a couple of bests along the way, but it’s a long time since I picked up a national title, so I’m delighted,” he said. “I’m 30 in a couple of days’ time and that’s an indoor best in a championship record, so I’m thrilled”. Adam Murphy was second in 21.75, with Luke Timlin third in 21.76. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"46GUFY4ZSJHIZAKT64TA6HEDI4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Katie Bergin won her first national senior indoor title with a season’s best performance to win the women’s 200m title 24.03.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K3EUUSAAQZFCBOLJMHCH4V3ATQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-lavin\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-lavin\">Sarah Lavin</a> was back in Abbotstown chasing a seventh national indoor title in the 60m hurdles, and duly won in 8.11, ahead of the St Laurence O’Toole duo of Molly Scott (8.34) and Arabella Adekoya (8.71). Lavin clipped her opening hurdle, but remains in form to make the European Indoor final. The men’s 60m hurdles went Adam Nolan, defending his title in 7.95 seconds, ahead of the fast-finishing Seán Carmody (8.33).","type":"text"},{"_id":"YHDDT2AOXHHKPYV2MRTSKB2IRM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"7WCAJ4ATIZAHVJN2CTEQX5B37U","additional_properties":{},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley\">Sharlene Mawdsley</a> (Newport AC, 52.86), Cliodhna Manning (Kilkenny City Harriers AC, 54.02), Lauren Cadden (Sligo AC, 54.05), Rachel McCann (North Down AC, 53.63) and Phil Healy (Bandon AC, 53.98) all progressed to Sunday’s women’s 400m final. Conor Kelly of Derry Track Club set a new national under-20 record of 46.63 when qualifying for the men’s final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LFL62RROYBDJVNJPFR5GU7AKNQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the weight-for-distance Michael Healy from Leevale won with a best throw of 8.78m, with Kotryna Pacerinskaite of Fanahan McSweeney AC also retaining her title, bettering her own championships record with a throw of 8.30m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"52B7ASZDP5H4RD46O2U33ALXNA","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the other field event finals, Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley) and Tara O’Connor (Dundalk St Gerards) both cleared 1.81m in the women’s high jump. Lecky ultimately winning gold on countback, with Ciarán Connolly (Le Chéile AC) returning from over two years of injury to take the senior men’s title with a clearance of 2.0m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6V3K2IMHYJAEDH3EFAJRE7JZ7U","additional_properties":{},"content":"Sarah Buggy won a remarkable 23rd national senior title in the triple jump, taking the gold with a best of 12.85m, with David Onwudiwe (Ennis Track AC) producing an impressive first round jump of 14.29 in the win the men’s triple.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IXNCFCSUAJBBPPZSGMSSUZJXYE","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sarah Lavin claimed a seventh Irish indoor title in the 60m hurdles on day one of action in Abbotstown"},"display_date":"2025-02-22T19:04:19.103Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sarah Healy and Marcus Lawler set new championship marks at Irish Indoors","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"OZAEEKMPWKFNLNPZJVSOKIH5HA","auth":{"1":"3841ff6609ed77cc9170a37059a0f74a39b2551d87601093ffc6242c5e60641b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OZAEEKMPWKFNLNPZJVSOKIH5HA.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2025/02/22/sarah-healy-and-marcus-lawler-set-new-championship-marks-at-irish-indoors/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"IXRNEKUJWBGGHKG34RTJX4BQFY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":394,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/6cd97132-3918-4620-9a5d-699d8d5c79e7/versions/1740161847/media/dd34ac8d5c6c49580b849589a3e72a54_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/22/from-the-cowshed-to-abbotstown-the-odyssey-of-the-irish-indoor-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"ABHC6HYMFZH5LJYWYCXCZZNIZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766721},"content":"Once upon a time just getting to the Irish Indoor Athletics Championships took a toll.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TWSQ6SJKMBBS7GWY575HPQL6EY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880230},"content":"Part road trip, part expedition, and all about the adventure. Because unless you lived in the immediate surroundings of rural North Tipperary, this usually meant a trek of some inordinate length to the Nenagh Indoor Complex, the then only indoor venue on the entire island, and affectionately known by some as “The Cowshed”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MYYM2B4TOZHIXOXMGPRINC7AOA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766722},"content":"The simple grey concrete walls and corrugated iron roof finished in rusted burgundy helped give it that appearance, even if that look is trending these days. It was in many ways a unique structure, both ahead of and behind its time, and somehow engineered to feel consistently colder on the inside than it ever was outside.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7NVF5WX3CRAHJOM4HBG2XQXPZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766723},"content":"First developed in 1984, it was originally intended to serve the needs of Nenagh Olympic Athletic Club, who a year after its founding in 1955, had turned the North Tipperary Agricultural Show Hall into an indoor training facility.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z7J4YXX7MBAWNF63JESYCCHK4Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880233},"content":"Yet it soon became a sort of national indoor arena – by accident, not design – and staged the first Irish Indoor Athletics Championships in 1988, when the track surface was nothing more than hard mud.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HPFBGS66RJHEHCCCCIXRAJX75A","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766724},"content":"Two years later, a new tartan banked track helped transform the place into something resembling a proper indoor facility, club co-founder Seán Naughton leading the way. That track was hard <i>and</i> fast – having once raced there, I still have a dull ache in my shins as a lasting souvenir.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VK2HTBQGLJHADAD3SHHKYC4GKI","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880235},"content":"Naughton would have been perfectly aware of the running joke in Irish athletics at the time, that despite boasting some of the best indoor athletes in the world, the country still didn’t have a proper indoor facility.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JNL4EQQHXBDORF3TPIK3CRD2EE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880236},"content":"In 1987, he was the Irish coach at the first World Indoor Athletics Championships in Indianapolis, when we sent a team of four athletes: Eamonn Coghlan, the gold medal favourite, fell in the heats of 1,500m, only for Marcus O’Sullivan to win gold anyway, before Frank O’Mara and Paul Donovan went one-two in the 3,000m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LBYYTCN5ZFHRXO7BZG2WOHZ6TI","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766726},"content":"Indeed Irish athletes had been making their indoor presence felt going back to 1950, when John Joe Barry, better known as the Ballincurry Hare, won the US Indoor mile. Ronnie Delany won his first indoor race in 1956 and went unbeaten indoors over the mile until March 1959 – also breaking the world indoor mile record on three separate occasions.","type":"text"},{"_id":"56MTDX4ZKJDTDN7M77GW5LXCAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880238},"type":"image"},{"_id":"XSKJZTOHIJF2RAIGGC5I5546N4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766727},"content":"Later in 1987, the government made the first of its many promises to build a national indoor arena, with then taoiseach Charles Haughey, after a feasibility study costing over one million of our dear old punts, approving a site in the Dublin Docklands. That never materialised.<b> </b>In 1999, Jim McDaid, then minister for sport, also unveiled plans for an indoor arena adjacent to the athletics stadium in Santry. No stone was turned.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3WWKSUPDRRGXHKZ72F4ZDXFHG4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766728},"content":"Meanwhile, the Irish Indoor Championships became a moveable feast, staged at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on and off from 2003 to 2012, when a temporary track helped transform that place into looking the part.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GKQBXO2TZRF3TCIZZC5C3YGEJI","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880241},"content":"I made that trip only once, in 2011, claiming to know the way after seeing Bob Dylan play the Odyssey back in 2004, only to mistake a turn and end up on a completely unknown route in via Banbridge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XGYVG7DZMJGDTNZXVZGXOJAVIA","subtype":"youtube","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"AOBO62YT2RADNBPMHRNBCVZWGY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766729},"content":"Still it was worth the toll, one of the athletes to stand out that day being a 17-year-old schoolboy from Letterkenny named Mark English, who won his first Irish senior indoor title in 800m in 1:51.62. A year later, English missed out on the 2012 London Olympics by .17 of a second, running 1:45.77, and has since won four European Championship medals at the distance, two indoors and two outdoors.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YMETSPPOTVEF5IGT7JGF7MRRJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766730},"content":"In 2013, the first World Athletics-approved indoor track in this country was opened at the Athlone Institute of Technology, Eamonn Coghlan describing that as “the most historic day in Irish athletics”, before in 2017, the Government eventually delivered on its promises with the opening of the Sport Ireland Indoor Arena at Abbotstown, the now permanent venue for the Irish Indoor Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F7KDAJRRJFAYZMAG7KSO7HUNDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880245},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AJAHRGISIVDURNMFUK5G6IHHKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766731},"content":"Part of the attraction of Abbotstown is its accessibility. With a limited capacity of just 4,000, including athletes, it’s not surprising that Sunday’s session of this weekend’s championships was sold out by midweek, even if many of the top Irish athletes have chosen to stay away.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QFQWKBPTZNBCFHNHKEHQUR7LXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880247},"content":"This isn’t about any toll involved in getting there. English, for example, withdrew from the 800m due to a quad muscle injury, having lowered his Irish 800m record to 1:45.15 at the Millrose Games in New York earlier this month. All his focus, naturally, is on winning a fifth major championship medal, when the Dutch city of Apeldoorn stages the European Indoor Championships from March 6th-9th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YWNVWR5RK5BRXLYAENPALXHTEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766733},"content":"It is a pity but English, now a qualified doctor, has nothing to prove here, having already won 18 Irish 800m titles in all, nine indoors and nine outdoors.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XK3H5VODJFCGTE5QVFUSH2JX5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766734},"content":"It’s only natural too that the younger generation of athletes are excited about the prospect of racing at Abbotstown – unaware perhaps of this brief history of Irish indoor athletics – and none more enthusiastically than Bori Akinola.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KYEVYJX6ZRF75HF6Q5IFMNX75M","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880250},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PF62CCDK2NASBBPSXEUVNYRKYA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880251},"content":"At 23, Akinola is still a relative newcomer to the Irish sprinting scene, first starting in athletics in 2018, a year after moving here from Nigeria with his mother and two siblings. Since then, he’s made rapid progress up through the ranks, but has yet to win his first Irish senior title, indoors or out, or indeed ever beat Israel Olatunde.","type":"text"},{"_id":"35XPHFJ3MVDU3GNR7JPJEASQ2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880252},"content":"In Abbotstown this time last year, Akinola finished second to Olatunde, Ireland’s fastest man, running 6.76, just .05 of a second behind.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5DK5UR2NYRB65OPFKT2W447FE4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740176880253},"content":"At the National Championships outdoors last July, Olatunde won again in 10.27, Akinola a close second in 10.29. This season, Akinola has improved his indoor 60m best to 6.64, and will look to deny Olatunde a fourth successive indoor crown on Sunday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TCADFQELG5DMNLFGXLEJZFIGKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766737},"content":"“Israel is number one in the country, in order to be number one, you have to beat him,” says Akinola, by his own admission not low on confidence. “The rivalry has pushed me on, because I know it is something that can be done.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2G4XNGFP65G5ZL2OX5LCVSOMWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740151766738},"content":"It’s a still fledgling rivalry, yet more evidence of the exciting future of Irish athletics, and a long way from “The Cowshed”.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Irish athletics has come a long way since the humble beginnings of the event in rural North Tipperary"},"display_date":"2025-02-22T06:00:01Z","headlines":{"basic":"From The Cowshed to Abbotstown: the odyssey of the Irish Indoor Championships ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"Y7MFI6ZHQ5GJRH76UOHCWYFBSA","auth":{"1":"1c0c26cceb69039c10bf6409ffbd8723ba8261c0ff101b076d81c65aefcd10d5"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/Y7MFI6ZHQ5GJRH76UOHCWYFBSA.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/22/from-the-cowshed-to-abbotstown-the-odyssey-of-the-irish-indoor-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"CZOQ32F74ZDRHE6OLBJDMACFTE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":397,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/13725f34-1c5c-4b70-8a13-ecb0292bbf7e/versions/1740071602/media/fa03ac742ce56a9cbff9fafdbe7b49ae_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/21/sonia-osullivan-sold-out-irish-indoor-championships-still-missing-some-star-irish-athletes/","content_elements":[{"_id":"KVAKS6QTYZHY7IMBVXVRXEY4OA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060580},"content":"Such is the relentless pace of world indoor records being broken in recent weeks that it’s hard to keep up. Some marks have been broken twice in the same week, and who else but <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jakob-ingebrigtsen/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jakob-ingebrigtsen/\">Jakob Ingebrigtsen</a> to come out in his first appearance of the season and broke two world records in the same race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LXQI4CZWQVDEDAOAU34DJMK2MU","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060581},"content":"Starting at the Millrose Games in New York earlier this month, Grant Fisher and Yared Nuguse from the US broke the indoor 3,000m and mile records respectively, within the space of two hours. It had been more than two decades since a US distance runner had broke a world record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QIFFGRBCKNA2DKDSUOFZL37HZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060582},"content":"Five days later in Lievin, France, Ingebrigtsen broke Nuguse’s mile record, plus his own 1,500m record, and two days after that in Boston, Fisher also broke the indoor 5,000m record. Worth mentioning too is Jacob Kiplimo’s world half marathon of 56:42 set in Barcelona on Sunday morning, which makes an official sub two-hour marathon a lot more possible.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BDCJJXVCTNH7FFKFPOU3VIJ2XE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060583},"content":"Irish athletes have also been busy setting national indoor records, Sarah Healy improving her 1,500m mark last Saturday, having broken her 3,000m record twice over the previous weekends. Mark English took almost a second off his 800m mark, and Andrew Coscoran broke the men’s indoor 3,000m and then mile records.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FEGZ34ZTEBHB5CKUF74VHF7CIY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060584},"content":"The Irish indoor mile record had stood to Eamonn Coghlan for over 40 years, the period when he was known as the Chairman of the Boards. Indoor running tracks have improved significantly since then, in design and surface, and there’s no disputing that carbon-plated spikes are also improving performances. More athletes, particularly in the US, are also realising the controlled environment of “short track” indoor races are more favourable for fast times, and pushing beyond the mythical barriers and limits athletes often set themselves.","type":"text"},{"_id":"74J6XH77RRCGXLH7TSTBH6H6IA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Eamonn Coghlan, 40 years after his biggest win: ‘Something spiritual happened me that day’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"DXP5WPWBGJG7ZLINPTGROUXGK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060585},"content":"However, fast times and world records can count for little when it comes to championship running and there will be evidence of that this weekend at the various national indoor championships across the globe. The Sport Ireland Arena will again host the Irish indoor championships, and Sunday is already a sell-out, another reflection of the growing popularity of the sport","type":"text"},{"_id":"ATCSKBIKABE6DIRCDFODWKHWEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060586},"content":"The championships also act as a trial for the European Indoor Championships taking place in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands from March 6th to 9th, and the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China two weeks later. Unlike all the carefully orchestrated and paced races of recent weeks, Apeldoorn and Nanjing will be all about race tactics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RBLJXQ3Y5ZBGTCGV5Y3NCZBUKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060587},"content":"That’s something the top Irish athletes should be keen to practice this weekend, although it appears they won’t all be there, English unlikely to race the 800m due to a minor muscle strain, while Coscoran is nursing a minor illness. Athletes training and competing at this high level are often operating on a knife edge and never too far away from a potential injury or illness, but there is the opportunity to see some of our biggest stars in action.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BHJGWXZMPBEEFGX7QXTIBPXSBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060588},"content":"This weekend will also be the first track and field event in Ireland since the heroics of many athletes last summer, although some have chosen to forego the indoor season and keep working on their winter strength and conditioning before what will be an intense and long season culminating at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2QTKKBWR3NBD3CQG4SUYV7RXGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060589},"content":"We know <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> is focused on outdoors, so not available for indoor selection. For those competing now, the championships are where you really find out about where you stand, what changes, if any, need to be made.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BDINDJARMNERRARDC4MUUWGJF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060590},"content":"Some countries don’t have the dispensation loophole that is so often used by Irish athletes, right when they should be maintaining the momentum by using the Irish championships to connect with the fans. I think one way to encourage the best athletes to compete at the Irish championships would be to allow a top 10 world-ranked athlete a bye into the final. They have achieved this level of respect and in return are more likely to respect the championships if they are encouraged to compete.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UBT4DPLUGFCWZAQWIJ3N4Q4N3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060591},"content":"Another area that could be changed is to set an entry standard for athletes competing. As it stands, any athlete that is a member of a club in Ireland can just sign up for the national championships. This is not a road race, and there is just simply not space on the track for the numbers entered. The risk of falling is certainly a deterrent for the best athletes turning up, especially if having to go through rounds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IUEWJHEYHZFLFIXNTJKKNSF2OM","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060592},"content":"An event such as the 3,000m should be limited to a straight final. As it is, there are 60 men’s entries, and while it is a positive to see so many people taking part in our sport there needs to be a line drawn on the high-performance stage.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3GHNPYYQZBBUPLB3LU5XAMG7FQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060593},"content":"Some athletes also leave it to the last minute to decide which event they will race in, or if they will race at all, and this doesn’t help in the promotion of the championships. There certainly could have been a couple of mouth-watering clashes on the track had English lined up against the young Cian McPhillips, who last weekend posted a time just .15 of a second slower than English’s national record over 800m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GVGS3DINUFD7PFEW2OHKV4HQWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060594},"content":"And likewise with Olympic semi-finalist Cathal Doyle lining up against newly crowned national record holder Coscoran. Which is also why it was refreshing to hear <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sharlene-mawdsley/\">Sharlene Mawdsley</a> this week talking excitedly about her new training group, and looking forward to racing in Abbotstown this weekend.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AEYIXNQEQRHHNKK5H2ARHLVJU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060595},"content":"Still fresh from her record-breaking runs, Healy will probably race the 1,500m, and should have it all her own way as Ciara Mageean is still recovering from surgery, and Sophie O’Sullivan is also focused on the outdoor season. Healy has shown she is on another level this year, and she may just sit in and practice race tactics as she looks forward to racing the 3,000m at the European and World Indoor Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CIDMVRTIANEMBL7BQIDEAIYMCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060596},"content":"Sarah Lavin in the 60m hurdles and Kate O’Connor in the heptathlon are both qualified for Apeldoorn, and know that value of competing on the national stage and inspiring the next generation of young athlete.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P4Q3UUI7WZA5FAEBIFNPXWDPJA","additional_properties":{"_id":1740060060597},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-olatunde/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-olatunde/\">Israel Olatunde</a> has never shied away from the national championships, and back from his training in Florida with Noah Lyles, will probably face another sprint showdown with Bori Akinola in the 60m. It’s certainly hard to predict the outcome there, which is what championship racing is all about.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}},"name":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Rhasidat Adeleke is focused on outdoors, while others will probably be absent this weekend through injury or illness"},"display_date":"2025-02-21T06:00:01Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sonia O’Sullivan: Sold-out Irish indoor championships still missing some star Irish athletes","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"GIDWKTSRJO5QQ4PX24LEP7TTPE","auth":{"1":"4b262423f6da82c96bff0226774673b0da881f437abfdba57ef642744bffa268"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/GIDWKTSRJO5QQ4PX24LEP7TTPE.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/21/sonia-osullivan-sold-out-irish-indoor-championships-still-missing-some-star-irish-athletes/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"XAOCLSP7EFHDZNT3ONNU3U36TM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":154,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/52e6d236-5ee1-4efa-8a81-e8722b5c2be0/versions/1740064940/media/47b682843ca6ffab62d94e64d6c908d9_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/20/sundays-session-of-national-indoor-championships-sells-out/","content_elements":[{"_id":"FJQRS7ELKNA4HHFYOQP5SJO5XE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Athletics Ireland have announced that Sunday’s session at this weekend’s National Indoor Championships is now sold out, advising spectators not to travel to the venue without a ticket.","type":"text"},{"_id":"437P23QGWBHLTNY25EYHGLRXGM","additional_properties":{},"content":"The official capacity at the Sport Ireland Arena in Abbotstown, now the permanent venue for the championships, is 4,000, with 400 permanent seats adjacent to the homestretch of the indoor track.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PUDE7HGD65BZPA3HIHYWXQR6IM","additional_properties":{},"content":"It’s the first time a session at the event has sold out, further reflecting the increasing popularity of the sport after both the European Championships in Rome last June and the Paris Olympics last August. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"N4PEVOBMJJBXHDOK2NQJRR4BSI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Tickets are still available for Saturday’s session, which includes several finals including the 200m and 60m hurdles, plus the high jump and triple jump.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NABD54KGYJAEJIJPIZ6FH5UNUY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Although some of the top Irish athletes will not be competing, with Rhasidat Adeleke already indicating she’s focused entirely on the outdoor season, the likes of Sharlene Mawdsley, also part of the mixed relay that won gold in Rome, and Sarah Healy have confirmed their intention to race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EDIR64GRNJGBFEEZIN5XOLDBOU","additional_properties":{},"content":"However Mark English, who recently improved his own Irish 800m record, has withdrawn due to injury, while Andrew Coscoran, who recently set Irish records over the mile and 3,000m, is unlikely to race due to illness. Jodie McCann, who recently set indoor bests over the 1,500m and 3,00m, has also withdrawn due to illness.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FGN7WYX7GBCLRNRMJP73MR2N44","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"C5JCLNL42JHCVL3NUVX4B4QNSQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Meanwhile organisers of next month’s Dublin City Half Marathon, for which the 12,500 entries sold out in just two hours, have announced additional general sales from entries originally allocated for charity, sponsorship, partnerships, and community programmes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NL67RBCMWREXRB6MA5GCUT6OZ4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Given the unprecedented demand for the race, we are releasing a limited number of these spots for general sales. These places will be distributed through a lottery system that goes live on the event website, <a href=\"https://dublincityhalfmarathon.ie/\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://dublincityhalfmarathon.ie/\">dublincityhalfmarathon.ie</a>, at noon on Friday February 21st and will close at midnight on Sunday February 23rd.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"WLRPNVCDOZDTBNVL47YW3S66PI","additional_properties":{},"content":"There is a €5 administration charge for each lottery entry; this fee is redeemable against the entry fee if successful. Already successful entrants can also transfer their entry to another runner, if desired, from February 21st to March 9th. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"QEX4YVSO5NCFLHXHQFQNI7TMLA","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"PDXMJFAY3ZHQDDOS4WOJYYC664","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"CNJDTLI7JRH7PEKWDJNALW27S4","additional_properties":{},"content":"The race will start and finish on O’Connell Street at 8.30am, the northside route taking in Ballybough, Whitehall, Killester, Howth Road, Raheny, St Anne’s Park, Clontarf, Fairview Park and Seville Place.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Tickets for Saturday’s session still available as popularity of athletics continues to grow "},"display_date":"2025-02-20T15:17:13.254Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sunday’s session of National Indoor Championships sells out ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"BUVPRD7UNCFEEAKW2J7S7K4L6M","auth":{"1":"5d82533ae66afa4cbd710d1b0a316878a9621d1e78341c49dde908d8ab27b116"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/BUVPRD7UNCFEEAKW2J7S7K4L6M.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/20/sundays-session-of-national-indoor-championships-sells-out/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"R7MTPJ5SFVEFLPDH2MJ3TMOQBU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":288,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/aadd4080-111b-4594-b532-1245c504e35f/versions/1739909071/media/07c27a4849361d5bbf23cd0d0345b71e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/19/i-think-im-listening-more-to-my-body-sharlene-mawdsley-on-the-changes-made-since-the-paris-olympics/","content_elements":[{"_id":"R7BDOMWT3NAYBKSMV3HZNFMSQY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Times moves quickly on from the Olympics, and six months after Sharlene Mawdsley ran the anchor leg in the bittersweet symphony that was the women’s 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics things have changed fast too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GE65KVVIV5HK3PVEE7WEMRRIGI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mawdsley has already replayed that race countless times in her own head – the last track event, on the last night of action inside the Stade de France, and on her 26th birthday to boot. As unbearably close as it was − the Irish quartet finishing just 0.18 of a second away from Great Britain (who won bronze) after Mawdsley took over the baton in second − she doesn’t lie: there’s also the lasting sense of what might have been.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EBBLXH5UORDTPBDRZMLJVBXPYA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It’s funny, I literally watched the interview last night, with me and the girls,” says Mawdsley, speaking in Dublin ahead of this weekend’s Irish Indoor Championships. “I think it’s a nice thing to look back on now even though it feels like a lifetime ago. So I don’t think about it often.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PL4LT6I5LFGALDVCK5CXTQ3S6I","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It’s hard because I’ve read some of the comments, and they’re like ‘what if she just kept going, and [Britain’s] Amber Anning had to run on the outside’, how that would have played out. But you simply don’t know, I could have blown up and hit lactic way sooner and we could have finished even further down. So fourth is just that bittersweet place to finish.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6VX762WXYNFLXHYG7K76Y3MXT4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And even though LA is three years you look to that so much as well, because you reach such a high at the Olympics, then it’s a really low comedown, and you have to look for ways to keep yourself motivated. So your mind is changing all the time in athletics.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CVBD75OPOZFAZA2DWEVRJEKJGA","additional_properties":{},"content":"That it came a night on after Rhasidat Adeleke also finished fourth in the individual 400m made it even more bittersweet, although in truth the Irish quartet possibly surpassed themselves, running an Irish record of 3:19.90, which would have been enough for silver in every previous Olympic final apart from 1988.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EH24Q2CLL5FK5ILC6BYQZYGQDI","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"TETTPJK25ZASNEX6BXNYILC4KM","additional_properties":{},"content":"It has unquestionably put them in the mix for the coming years, starting with next month’s European Indoor Championships in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn, where the Irish quartet are one of the six invited finalists: there’s also a mixed 4x400m on the opening night, Mawdsley also considering that after anchoring Ireland to glory at the European Championships in Rome last June.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JEXGS2S6JRBDZGHJG4P3DITOJI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Not long after Paris Mawdsley made the decision to change her training set-up, stepping away from Tipperary’s two-time Olympian Gary Ryan at their training base in Limerick, and linking up with London-based Tony Lester, whose group includes the Nielsen twins, Lina (who won bronze in the 400m hurdles in Paris), and Laviai (who won bronze in the 4x400m and mixed relay).","type":"text"},{"_id":"BJDCSYNIYZE6PMJAPJD5OHK2U4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I’d always set my whole Olympics to 2024, hadn’t looked after that. Then you look to 2028, and I’ve already said that’s the year I will retire. So that’s four more years, how am I going to get through that, get to LA and do better than I’ve ever done?","type":"text"},{"_id":"BEPORG7EPZGY7PI7I3EDSGOG3Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I’d always said I’d love to train in a professional group, and that’s where I had to look at moving coach, because in Ireland I was very much training on my own. It was never a chore, but I knew after 2024 I would struggle a little with the motivation, and when I looked at it Tony was the best person for me at the time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BKK6EL6A4BCT5DE4JEAJMMVVY4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I haven’t officially moved over yet, I’m living out of a suitcase at the moment, in South Africa in January, we go to Tenerife quite a lot. But in the coming months a move to London will be on the cards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3RSAALGXB7LRKQYZR65VXMOAA","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"X62PVPNTRVCV7POIU67P4D5IBY","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It’s a big change. I think I had more control [over] how I trained before, and maybe now, if the coach tells me to do something, I do it. And I’m training with Laviai and Lina Neilsen, who are the best in the UK. Laviai has broken 50 seconds, so I see that she does the sessions, and makes me say ‘okay I’ll do that’.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MEXTVHVH6VEWDK6LDWPA3APZUM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Like I swore before I’d never run a 500m, and this year one of the repeat sessions was 4x500m, so you just have to get out of your comfort zone. The sessions are probably more intense, but I have more recovery, don’t train on Fridays and Sundays on a normal week. And more emphasis on S & C (strength and conditioning). I can do pull-ups now, so, so far so good.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ATEKT4BFRZCNXN5AC3A4O3QALU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mawdsley opened her indoor season by improving her indoor 400m best to 51.69 in Glasgow earlier this month, and is gunning to defend her title in Abbotstown this weekend. But she has also changed her approach to racing so often.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SYAFXWUWNVFIPH7RJBICJRUUXM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I think I’m listening more to my body this year. I was meant to race last weekend but just knew I was a little fatigued. That’s something I definitely would have ignored in the past.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"IUAPC3FPSZAP7CS3C4TIFCOWR4","additional_properties":{},"content":"<i>♦ Sharlene Mawdsley was speaking in Dublin at the announcement of SPAR continuing their support of Irish athletes at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn</i>","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The 26-year-old Tipperary athlete has joined the training group of UK coach Tony Lester"},"display_date":"2025-02-19T06:00:01Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘I think I’m listening more to my body’: Sharlene Mawdsley on the changes made since the Paris Olympics ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"FREK4YPS55CKHCGOUV4WVVUR4I","auth":{"1":"3ac68870dfd74f3c77010cdf05a08a90dd307b9d95b508ba32f7d0b38ac5d6ff"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/FREK4YPS55CKHCGOUV4WVVUR4I.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/19/i-think-im-listening-more-to-my-body-sharlene-mawdsley-on-the-changes-made-since-the-paris-olympics/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"XAAVNYG75JELTBSQJB25M66BBY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":255,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/609d97e9-9b00-4454-9ab4-ce041828f225/versions/1739879425/media/0d33d22406149c24cdecc8abe61c39a1_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/17/its-work-train-sleep-theres-not-a-lot-of-time-for-anything-else-sarah-leahy-on-her-chase-for-another-irish-sprint-title/","content_elements":[{"_id":"4IJUEC2ASNEM7O3SSLQNNMQKUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051768},"content":"A current day in the life of Sarah Leahy is easily recountable, and even if it’s all a bit repetitive she wouldn’t have it any other way. A small price to pay for dreaming big about her sprinting potential.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YS5HO5P6ORCW3MG5HPOLWVKQQI","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051769},"content":"At this weekend’s Irish Indoor Championships at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sport-ireland/\">Sport Ireland Arena</a> in Abbotstown, Leahy will look to win back the 60 metres title she first claimed in 2023. That wasn’t long after she returned to the sport after focusing on women’s Gaelic football in previous years with her club Killarney Legion, the University of Limerick, and also the Kerry county team.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VDVRUMY34BHKXPBB5YMYWCQOFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051770},"content":"Now based in Dublin training with the sprint group under coach Daniel Kilgallon, Leahy also works full-time as an engineer with Winthrop Technologies, in Ballymount; Kilgallon’s sprint group, which formerly included the likes of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\">Rhasidat Adeleke </a>and Israel Olatunde, train at nearby Tallaght AC.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SXSC7AOQSFFPLMIQX6WAHMKO64","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051771},"content":"“I’m a BIM technician (building information modelling),” says Leahy, “and currently working on a project that’s based in Sweden, so I’m obviously not on site. I’m going to try to stay in the head office as long as possible because I don’t want to leave my training group.","type":"text"},{"_id":"II7YKMKIOBAHDHWZQBIJL6JYGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051772},"content":"“So I get up at 7am, start work about 8am to 8.30am, depends on the day, and I go straight to training for 7pm. So I might leave work at 5.30pm, get to the track, change, get ready, and then when I get home it could be 9.30pm, shower, eat, bed, repeat.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SXSEF5CUHNB4TAVFZWZ3SVRB7M","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051773},"content":"“So interests outside of athletics are quite small because it’s work, train, sleep – there’s not a lot of time for anything else. But that’s what we chose to do, and we love it, so I’m happy.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LB5GFML5JBE2RD54VRLGKYEU6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051774},"content":"So Leahy knows all about the commitment to both sports, and while she would have been entitled to some intercounty expenses had she stayed within the GAA, she doesn’t yet qualify for any support in athletics. Not that she’s complaining – ask not what your country can do for you, etc.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PU7PRPS6JEEDELKBZBQMDOJVA","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051775},"content":"“My parents are actually doing a little bit at the moment, with my club at home to get me a little bit of extra funding, because obviously I work full time. I was fortunate to go to a few competitions this indoor season abroad, but I have to take the week unpaid off work because obviously I only get 21 days of holidays during the year, so I have to save that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6ZLBFS4ERRDZ5DFE3P76J4XO7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051776},"content":"“I do have a little bit of support from a company, Danu Sport, they help me a little bit as well, for travelling and stuff, but outside of that, no, it’s all self-funded.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CNWHWIDICJGI3G5TSPK2FIEM5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051777},"content":"At age 25 Leahy is still off her sprinting prime, returning to athletics in 2021 after first joining the local club, then Spa Muckross AC, at age 10. The lockdown during Covid-19 helped force the decision to move away from Gaelic football, and she hasn’t looked back","type":"text"},{"_id":"HPNB7PUFLNHL3HODHUEVKTNTDA","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051778},"content":"“I remember seeing the 4x100m women’s senior relay at the world Relays in Poland, I just got this kind of realisation, like, I really want to do that, that looks so much fun . . . So, yeah, in 2021 I went back competing in athletics, didn’t expect how quickly, I suppose I would have improved, and it was the best decision I made.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"EQ2PABFPMVDJHNRCRDO2WS3XZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051779},"content":"In 2022 she was part of the 4x100m relay at the world Championships in Oregon, and in 2023 at the European Team Championships in Chorzów, and is currently part of the national 4x100m relay squad looking to qualify for the world Championships in Tokyo later this year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"INFIUX7UJBHFTJME35OAIFBABU","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051780},"content":"Abbotstown this weekend is another small step on that journey, and having finished second last year Leahy is clearly gunning for the title once again. She’s learned a lot since last year, briefly meeting Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles from the US when training and racing in Florida last summer.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M5GUALSIXZFDFFNANKX5DMW5XY","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051781},"content":"“I think two years ago I went in really confident, came out with a national title, then last year I think maybe my mindset wavered a little bit, and then I paid the price, I didn’t have my best race in the final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M2Y7JAGSNBBABOC2AIMIZYRRCA","additional_properties":{"_id":1739819051782},"content":"“That happens, and so I’m learning a lot. You don’t really know until you’re on the line but there’s a lot of focus going into the weekend, the preparation, and I’m confident I’m gaining experience every time, because I’m still quite new to the sport, so I’m very excited.”","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The 25-year-old is also part of the Irish women’s 4x100m relay squad aiming for World Championship qualification"},"display_date":"2025-02-17T19:03:31.84Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘It’s work, train, sleep, there’s not a lot of time for anything else’: Sarah Leahy on her chase for another Irish sprint title ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"IHVTKLJUPKXKBZKWL72PLK2WMI","auth":{"1":"72fd3b87af6d8f90ad179bd13583c83423763f527456da90f49cdec3a024559c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IHVTKLJUPKXKBZKWL72PLK2WMI.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/17/its-work-train-sleep-theres-not-a-lot-of-time-for-anything-else-sarah-leahy-on-her-chase-for-another-irish-sprint-title/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"62BN6QAUF5HJ3BFWU7UWZVDSC4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":362,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/9b9485e3-2346-4692-a9de-cc66dfef2737/versions/1739567905/media/381aa8c29cee3815d7619096e9b59e60_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/16/monitoring-ozempic-use-in-sport-the-miracle-drug-that-surely-swerves-the-doping-code/","content_elements":[{"_id":"GNLPU2IYHNEOFDW3N74IBNYZ4M","additional_properties":{},"content":"Who doesn’t love the promise of any quick and easy fix in life, and there was no disguising such lusty enthusiasm in the voice of Sarah McInerney as she wrapped up the latest conversation around <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ozempic\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ozempic\">Ozempic</a> on RTÉ‘s Drivetime on Thursday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SORU73WBXJF7BKA4HPYIFPLBHE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It does seem to be a miracle drug though, doesn’t it,” she said. “It seems to do everything.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"J76Y2BKCHBEOVPLPBVSCRFMM24","additional_properties":{},"content":"McInerney is certainly not alone in that way of thinking, especially after the study published by the American Medical Association on Wednesday presented strong evidence that one of the potential side effects of semaglutide, the active ingredient in the diabetes and weight-loss medication sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, was a significantly reduced craving for alcohol.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PER2XSVMLBE6TIRFXVFJMHOK5I","additional_properties":{},"content":"It was a randomised controlled trial, following just 48 adults who met criteria for alcohol-use disorder. By the second month those taking semaglutide were drinking nearly 30 per cent less alcohol, on average, compared to a reduction of about 2 per cent in the placebo group. Probably beats going to rehab.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PNCKJXWN6BDUHKZIIHO54VTT5I","additional_properties":{},"content":"Given there’s more anecdotal evidence that Ozempic can also help reduce cravings for other addictions, including nicotine and cocaine, plus reduce the risk of a stroke or a heart attack, there may well be this “miracle” element – although Drivetime might want to consider another conversation around some of the potentially health-damaging side effects of semaglutide, including increased risk of thyroid tumours and loss of vision.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PHOY6FAPGJH3LNAV4U3RTK7RIM","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the meantime, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has taken note. These are already testing times for the protectors of all things fair and unfair in sport, given Wada’s future funding is under threat over its supposed soft handling of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/07/04/explainer-drugs-sport-and-politics-whats-going-on-with-chinas-olympic-swimmers/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/07/04/explainer-drugs-sport-and-politics-whats-going-on-with-chinas-olympic-swimmers/\">23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance</a> before the Tokyo Olympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5BKHXQ4OMVFBRPEUUL4XNMLRAA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Wada understands well the potentially performance-enhancing benefits of any fast weight-loss medication, miraculous or not, while also allowing the athlete to retain power, especially approaching competition. Which is why it has long banned several weight-control medications, mainly stimulants and diuretics, last year adding the substance 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP), an extremely dangerous compound often marketed for weight loss, and Rev-Erb-a agonists, also advertised as a weight-loss peptide, although not approved for human therapeutic use.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AC2ZLCP52FFHNJ5LLTZHKDEYHY","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GU43G6IEPRD23KSGHTUI6VGZUE","additional_properties":{},"content":"For now, Wada has placed Ozempic on its watch-list for this year, which means it’ll be monitoring how much semaglutide is showing up in its global testing network of 30 Wada accredited anti-doping labs, and whether there are any patterns of use and abuse in certain sports. Put miracle and drug in the same sentence and there’s no doubt some elite athletes already have taken note, too. The gains only need to be marginal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DUCTOC5JUZF75POMXKUF4EEG5U","additional_properties":{},"content":"To be added to the Wada banned list, the substance or method needs to meet at least two of the following three criteria: it has the potential to enhance or enhances sporting performance; it represents an actual or potential health risk to the athlete; it violates the spirit of sport (as outlined in the Wada Code).","type":"text"},{"_id":"QIWO3LVPPFDUZN4PMF3OMHHJ2M","additional_properties":{},"content":"Dr Olivier Rabin, Wada’s senior director of medicine and science, told triathlon.com last month that Ozempic “goes beyond a simple drug for obesity” and “opens up a lot of reflections, not only in sport in our environment but also in society in general”. So, is it fair or unfair?","type":"text"},{"_id":"DVTW52AL6NGS7CZLGHD37D6K6I","additional_properties":{},"content":"“If you can improve your weight-to-power ratio, you’re going to have a benefit in cycling, running, and possibly in swimming as well,” Rabin added, suggesting Ozempic at least meets the first criteria. Whether Ozempic is ultimately a health risk to the athlete or violates the spirit of sport is more open to interpretation. And even if Wada does ban its use, who’s up for some therapeutic use exemption?","type":"text"},{"_id":"CBGLIMDR75G5VHM6IRTYCHG22M","additional_properties":{},"content":"Wada is also known to be considering the banning of another so-called marginal gain in sport, with cycling once again leading the way here around the performance-enhancing potential of carbon-monoxide inhalation. That’s not a misprint.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IWTMSGNM2FAKLAHHER5LECWSVU","additional_properties":{},"content":"While the obvious health risk to the athlete here is ending up dead, carbon-monoxide inhalation – or “rebreathing”, as they prefer to say in cycling – has been in use for many years, a well-worn technique applied across endurance sport to measure total haemoglobin mass and blood volume, particularly when it comes to the effectiveness of altitude training.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UZB3V3XA6BHR3LXN4IMPTOKNXE","subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"DFHEZJNO3NBG5EU44GDBBOSPG4","additional_properties":{},"content":"However, some of those in the peloton also realised that more frequent rebreathing of carbon monoxide could potentially boost the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, that expensive practice linked with three teams in last year’s Tour de France: UAE Emirates, Visma-Lease a Bike and Israel-Premier Tech.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4YVPGF6UTRE55NDMZTR5CEBJH4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Although quickly played down – race winner Tadej Pogacar from UAE Emirates saying “it’s not like we’re breathing exhaust fumes from cars every day” – the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body of world cycling, clearly got worked up about it, and earlier this month applied its own ban on carbon-monoxide inhalation, and in this case advising Wada to take note too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YX4GYT5FLJCNVDTDNHPEA6QHDM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“The UCI takes a bold and necessary stance by banning the repeated use of carbon-monoxide inhalation on medical grounds,” UCI chief David Lappartient said. “Our priority is to protect the health and safety of our athletes and the decision is another significant step in this direction.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"RG5WXGJV2RDWBCIBFXFSWBVHDU","additional_properties":{},"content":"The UCI said: “The ban is independent of the Wada and the UCI Anti-Doping Regulations, however the UCI has officially requested Wada to take a position on the repeated use of carbon monoxide in and out of competition.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKPSLAXYWBEXPMWG6MBY3UCRQU","additional_properties":{},"content":"UAE Emirates have recently said they’ve already moved on from carbon-monoxide use anyway. Whatever about the potential performance-enhancing qualities, few riders or teams could stand over the use of a toxic gas otherwise known as the silent killer, strictly medically supervised or otherwise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TKD4GNRB45FIDPLSXAJE7OVEDY","additional_properties":{},"content":"The swift addition of Ozempic to any banned list may not be as straightforward, even if Wada does discover it’s being used and potentially abused beyond its intended purposes. But even if Ozempic may prove a miracle drug for some people, that alone should be reason enough to ensure it has no place in any sport.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The World Anti-Doping Agency has added the active ingredient semaglutide to its watch-list for 2025"},"display_date":"2025-02-16T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Monitoring Ozempic use in sport: the miracle drug that surely swerves the doping code?","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"XO2BB66IMVC5HXNZWRSFLXFXOE","auth":{"1":"bce8a40ca3eaaa99a4b661ad36a73676f45b84c3835a429d85bcdf5087ef74dc"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/XO2BB66IMVC5HXNZWRSFLXFXOE.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/16/monitoring-ozempic-use-in-sport-the-miracle-drug-that-surely-swerves-the-doping-code/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"F372CZH64VEGRCDJMZL2LEQXW4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":123,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/40d169b5-fb89-4f1b-8cf7-2f3407b23758/versions/1739482711/media/a0d7952e97de6cf3562b7c1963b5b196_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2025/02/13/jakob-ingebrigtsen-breaks-world-indoor-mile-record-in-france/","content_elements":[{"_id":"FCVWGJKIBNBALKQ2LROBPVQ2NI","additional_properties":{},"content":"All the talk beforehand was that <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jakob-ingebrigtsen\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jakob-ingebrigtsen\">Jakob Ingebrigtsen</a> <i>not</i> breaking the world indoor mile record would be a big disappointment, and as if on cue the Norwegian star dispelled any doubts, clocking 3:45.14 at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Liévin in France on Thursday night.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OHFAE3PUMBDFJBGB4H74646V44","additional_properties":{},"content":"Chasing the mark of 3:46.63 set only last Saturday night by Yared Nuguse from the US at the Millrose Games in New York, Ingebrigtsen passed through 1,500m in 3:29.63 – taking almost a second off his own world record mark for that distance set on the same track in 2022.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3I2ZDCE4SBEGLOIYJE4VZXTTVE","additional_properties":{},"content":"He held on for the final half-lap and, roared on by the sell-out crowd, charged through the finish line in 3:45.14, taking just under a second and a half off the short-lived world record, becoming the first man to break 3:46 indoors in the process.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XSCDFX6K7FHA5BTJJQSDHWTBME","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ireland’s Cathal Doyle improved his indoor mile best to 3:53.18 when running a well-timed race of his own to finish in third, with second place going to Stefan Nillessen in a Dutch record of 3:52.70.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C6N5CCBH25DKHD5WVVWDZ57X6Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"At the Armagh International 5km Road Race, known as “the world’s fastest” given its unrivalled depth of fast times, Efrem Gidey found the pace of the shorter distance a little too hard to handle as he had to settle for eighth place in 13:51. Andrew Colley from the USA took the win in a course record of 13:33, holding off Britain’s Jack Kavanagh, who was second in 13:35.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F5KPZNTO4BDMXABPTQELK7FITA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Gidey was looking to add to his half-marathon record of 60:51 set in Copenhagen last September, and his 10km record of 27:43 set in Valencia last month. His 13:51 is still a personal best for 5km on the road. In the women’s international 3km, Verity Ockenden from Swansea AC took the win in 9:05.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BTG53BLHVNDFLKV4PXMHLAF4CI","additional_properties":{},"content":" ","type":"text"},{"_id":"CWIJYKCF4ZA25JXVMB52IPWIF4","additional_properties":{},"content":" ","type":"text"},{"_id":"3CDJTRXNS5D2JLVIGRABQEDMQY","additional_properties":{},"content":" ","type":"text"},{"_id":"SDP6B4RKYREKHLZHIPDXNVMD6A","additional_properties":{},"content":" ","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Norwegian takes just under a second and a half off Yared Nuguse’s mark set last Saturday"},"display_date":"2025-02-13T21:33:18.931Z","headlines":{"basic":"Jakob Ingebrigtsen breaks world indoor mile record in France","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"P4CIS6OH7B6WJ5AE6XN52N3XBQ","auth":{"1":"2b458f403dbca9cd9c6937b4a1f6cc4012ea64aa920d27e0680b2623f2d59092"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/P4CIS6OH7B6WJ5AE6XN52N3XBQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2025/02/13/jakob-ingebrigtsen-breaks-world-indoor-mile-record-in-france/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"7TCNQU7DZVH4BPLZJPTKPDISG4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":220,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/5e5d6f3a-357f-4843-8416-f26643ff52d0/versions/1739386740/media/d6ddd92c24482cbaba6c391c6de38d8b_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/12/efrem-gidey-targeting-another-irish-record-at-the-worlds-fastest-5km-in-armagh/","content_elements":[{"_id":"VD3SUOHQHVG2FNIOF7JLSWW4D4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Every sporting event pens its own different label of attraction, and when the Armagh International 5km Road Race calls itself “the world’s fastest” it is not without some proof or merit. The 33rd staging of the race, set for the Cathedral City on Thursday evening (8.30pm), should only help reinforce that label.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UL5TU5OPYZG7TLXLWZDWBFMYUM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Efrem Gidey certainly hopes so, as the 24-year-old is aiming to break a third Irish road race record within six months, adding to his half marathon record of 60:51 set in Copenhagen last September, and his 10km record of 27:43 set in Valencia last month – that race incidentally labelled as “the world’s fastest 10km”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CTVPUVQCS5D2HKOIFRTWNGYTKE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Armagh focuses on the 5km for men, and the 3km for women (plus a series of open juvenile races from 6.30pm), and unlike mass participation road races is built solely around elite or sub-elite runners. Last year, despite the bitterly cold and snowy conditions, the top 132 finishers all broke 15 minutes – a time considered the benchmark for the sub-elite at the distance – while the top 17 all broke 14 minutes, which many consider world-class.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZNFKYRHWDJCZLO3Q4HC7YGAPB4","additional_properties":{},"content":"It’s that depth of fast times which has earned Armagh that label of “the world’s fastest”. Back in 2020, the top 139 finishers all ran under 15 minutes, and no other 5km road race in the world has since surpassed that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JSC24BMQERDL3NXWKDRU4SNWGQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We hold that record,” Armagh race director James Vallely told the BBC. “We have made this claim many times, and it has not been refuted by any other events around the world.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"U7OHRNQK5FFUHMVTNC75GQ36ZA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Organised by Armagh Athletic Club, the 5km is properly international too, and last year 191 of the 237 total finishers were from outside the island of island. The race was won in 13:49 by Topi Raitanen from Finland, a Tokyo Olympian and 2022 European champion in the steeplechase.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GQNIPBTZL5GJNKWZRRUSMFQWWQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"For men to qualify, they must have run a time of 16 minutes or under for 5km in the previous 12 months. Despite the nominal prizes (£200 for the winner) and prospect of unfavourable conditions on a Thursday night in mid-February, its popularity has also grown steadily over the years, in part thanks to its unique race atmosphere.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OKHMYRR6Z5FSXAI7UBHEN7MYTA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Taking in five laps of the mostly flat Mall circuit of the city, with live commentary throughout all the races, most of the runners themselves are keenly and competitively driven on by the simple prospect of breaking that 15-minute barrier, if not their personal best.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CRL6MGC44BBW5HXU3PLFJU5PHE","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Armagh course record of 13:37, set by Britain’s Henry McCluckie in 2023, and for Gidey, who last month also won the Raheny Five Mile road race in an impressive time 22:37, the target time will be the Irish 5km road record of 13:26. That was set by Alistair Cragg in Carlsbad, California in 2012 – another race often labelled as “the world’s fastest”, only without anything near the depth of Armagh.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3HLMWXPPQ5CIXEE7ZFQCQMRUGY","additional_properties":{},"content":"It won’t be easy, although Gidey, who arrived in Ireland as a refugee from Eritrea in 2016 and received citizenship here in 2019, is unquestionably in form, now benefiting from training full-time, still based largely in Dublin while under the guidance of London-based coach Andy Hobdell. His 10km time last month improved by three seconds the Irish record held by John Treacy since 1985, and if the 5km record is to drop, where better than Armagh?","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Now in its 33rd year, the Catherdal City event is unrivalled in its depth of fast 5km times"},"display_date":"2025-02-12T18:20:11.806Z","headlines":{"basic":"Efrem Gidey targeting another Irish record at ‘the world’s fastest' 5km in Armagh","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"RN34IQGYOARS57LAMVF6E34FAE","auth":{"1":"8bdf426ac5167fb0671e06f81ac74193de528a66077303d1b57f05d3e4737c06"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/RN34IQGYOARS57LAMVF6E34FAE.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/12/efrem-gidey-targeting-another-irish-record-at-the-worlds-fastest-5km-in-armagh/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"66ZLO2X63VCWRHNMPAODR72RW4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":315,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/3bd44ee4-c09e-4d98-a86f-516573481ccc/versions/1739109634/media/f1589a711434c19f8a2c46d11f715feb_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/09/andrew-coscoran-sets-new-overall-irish-mile-mark-at-millrose-games-in-new-york/","content_elements":[{"_id":"T7JPRXVLCZBPFD3UILOHLM65FI","additional_properties":{},"content":"For over 40 years the Irish mile records, indoors and outdoors, had stood alone like some glittering relics from another time and place. That was before <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/andrew-coscoran\" target=\"_self\">Andrew Coscoran</a> ran faster than both marks in setting a new Irish mile record with a stunning run at the 117th Millrose Games in New York on Saturday night.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JOM2B4RZWVFJ5N4WFKAHPFDVTE","additional_properties":{},"content":"It proved a historic night on several fronts, Coscoran’s 3:49.26 in finishing seventh in the famed Wanamaker mile eclipsing by over half a second the previous Irish marks held by Eamonn Coghlan and Ray Flynn, while Yared Nuguse from the US became the first man to break 3:47 indoors, winning in a new world indoor record of 3:46.63.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YJ4NKNWIQNFIXO6N6IGZBRZAUY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Coscoran’s time also came hot on the heels of Mark English and Sarah Healy improving their own Irish indoor records over 800m and 3,000m respectively, English smashing 1:46 indoors for the first time when running 1:45.15, the third fastest by a European so far this season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"55FPBNTVEVBWNKBEGDCMEANFNU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Coghlan and Flynn were both present at The Armory on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Coghlan as the previous seven-time winner of the Wanamaker Mile, while Flynn is the Millrose Games meeting director. Both were among the first to congratulate 28-year-old Coscoran, his 3:49.26 finally rewriting Coghlan’s Irish indoor mark of 3:49.78 set in 1983 (and a then world indoor record which stood for 14 years). Flynn’s outdoor marginally faster outright mark of 3:49.77 was set back in 1982 in the Dream Mile in Oslo.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3TCMUII335ETJKED6D4I6QC3YM","additional_properties":{},"content":"On an exceptional night for indoor running, Nuguse was closely followed home by US team-mate Hobbs Kessler, who ran 3:46.90 and was also inside the previous world indoor mark of 3:47.01, set by Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia in 2019. Cam Myers from Australia also set an outright world under-20 mile record, the 18-year-old coming home third in 3:47.48.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SGJZKNOLSFFKPH7YOQSGXZWTVI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Coscoran’s mile record also comes a week after he broke the Irish indoor 3,000m record in Boston, running 7:30.75, the Dublin athlete clearly benefiting from his recent change to his training set-up. He is now coached by Helen Clitheroe at the New Balance Team in Manchester, but also enjoyed a productive spell of altitude training in Flagstaff in Arizona prior to the indoor season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GBZNDASUZZBZTB22NNQYUEUWRM","additional_properties":{},"content":"At 31, English has also changed set-up over the winter and is now working with Australian coach Justin Rinaldi. His 1:45.15 on Saturday night left him a close fourth in a world-class 800m field. Josh Hoey took the win in a US record of 1:43.90, while English improved his own indoor mark of 1:46.10 set at the Sport Ireland Arena in Abbotstown back in 2021.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q2UFZJ66Y5HQVNSHBIVBVYO664","additional_properties":{},"content":"Shortly before that run, Healy produced one the best performances of her senior career to date, finishing third in the 3,000m in 8:30.79, also taking over four seconds off her own Irish record of 8:35.19, also set in Boston last Sunday. Victory there went to Whittni Morgan from the US in 8:28.03, with Healy, who turns 24 next week, out-kicking Olympic 1,500m silver medallist Jessica Hull from Australia into fourth.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T5CETRWUIJFDZMEP47KU5CXQ4Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"For Coscoran, English and Healy, all three performances will clearly put them in the mix at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands early next month, with the World Indoor Championships in China two weeks' later also an option.","type":"text"},{"_id":"72IBCV47VZDSFNXA5QDH2QVNQY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Among the other highlights of the Millrose Games was Grant Fisher from the US running 7:22.91 to break Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma’s world indoor 3,000m record of 7:23.81, with his US team-mate Cole Hocker also dipping under that old mark with his 7:23.14 second-place finish","type":"text"},{"_id":"LAXT3MQ57VDFPGCX55L3EPNCBU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Closer to home, Sharlene Mawdsley continued her impressive start to the indoor season in Metz in France, finishing second overall in the women’s 400m. The Tipperary athlete won her heat in 51.86, with only Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands running faster when winning her heat in 51.70.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YZW6CYREEZC3LKPHWHZR2FH5JE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Jodie McCann improved her personal best to finish sixth in the 1,500m, her 4:09.18 moving her up to third on the Irish indoor all-time list for the event behind Healy and Ciara Mageean, while Darragh McElhinney was also sixth in the men’s 3000m in a season’s best time of 7:45.25.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Dubliner beat both Eammon Coghlan’s indoor and Ray Flynn’s outdoor records that have stood for over 40 years "},"display_date":"2025-02-09T13:32:09.736Z","headlines":{"basic":"Andrew Coscoran sets new overall Irish mile mark at Millrose Games in New York","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"DYCFE6MFHXGCR5RMHPR4ZZ4D54","auth":{"1":"b2658780cf87b323cd2d81ed28def72aa6c738ea9bff1a431bb58610514c2534"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/DYCFE6MFHXGCR5RMHPR4ZZ4D54.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/09/andrew-coscoran-sets-new-overall-irish-mile-mark-at-millrose-games-in-new-york/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"OE4MOOIYC5CRPHPUUNZGFR33BU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":400,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/8854619a-55b8-466d-ae51-cc72d20241e1/versions/1738951120/media/f8d7a95a27364d3ada10a5e280ff2f28_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/08/running-up-that-dune-how-keely-hodgkinson-follows-in-the-training-footsteps-of-the-greats/","content_elements":[{"_id":"4J56CVOR5VGTZHPV43GCJ63HOE","additional_properties":{},"content":"In its now 80 years of enduring publication Athletics Weekly has had plenty of apt and iconic cover shots, and rightly appearing among them on the front of the latest February issue (the magazine went monthly five years ago) is Keely Hodgkinson, unquestionably the face of British athletics and one of the best runners in the world.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DHY3VTVSPBARNE72IWAMVBPDIY","additional_properties":{},"content":"I willingly inherited several boxes of back issues of Athletics Weekly starting from the early 1960s (the magazine was founded in 1945 by Jimmy Greene in the bedroom of his bungalow in Kent); these days my subscription is strictly digital, but the publication still delivers plenty of wordy and worthy content. Now read on.","type":"text"},{"_id":"463PIYM2HNA5VOR6L7CYHI6ZTA","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Hodgkinson cover shot includes the caption “The Star Attraction”, a reference not just to her current status in global athletics, but also to the Keely Klassic indoor meeting in Birmingham next Saturday, where the 22-year-old will race for the first time since winning the Olympic 800 metres gold medal in Paris last August, having gone unbeaten in 2024.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DL5VYWTIANATHDJKRGNPLNSUEA","additional_properties":{},"content":"That race, incidentally, was the most-watched event on the BBC throughout the entire <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024\">Paris Olympics</a>, with 9.1 million people tuning in as Hodgkinson’s bold front-running move with a lap to go inside the Stade de France saw her hold off Kenya’s world champion Mary Moraa, improving on the Olympic silver medal she won as a 19-year-old in Tokyo in 2021.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4MTXLVT3BRGERKZMTZ43PJWBFA","additional_properties":{},"content":"That performance also helped to crown Hodgkinson the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2024, ahead of teenage darts sensation Luke Littler, with her husband-and-wife coaching team of Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows also jointly named BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year. A nice sweep for any sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HLW3HFWHBJCKNGWRDKAVAY5OO4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Part of Hodgkinson’s appeal might well be her simple and no-nonsense approach to the sport, and that of her coaches, Painter helping to make that point when telling Athletics Weekly that the preparations for Paris included some old-fashioned sand dune training, at Formby beach, a short drive west from her home in Manchester and Painter’s home in Wigan. Ireland’s Sarah Healy is also part of this training group.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XMLE7P3YOBEA3K7XRNWFHHJ4L4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Just because you’re over the hill or, like me, long past your running prime doesn’t mean you can’t still take a tip from this. Sand dune training is the one session most distance runners love to hate, knowing full well how cruelly tough it is to run uphill against the stubborn resistance of the grainy sand – or indeed downhill for that matter – while also realising this is exactly what develops potentially untapped reserves of strength and stamina, all while demanding no compromise on good running technique. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"HEWJ5GZH5NHVLOSK27EYGUG4BI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It’s a really brutal session,” Painter explained. “It’s formulates your mind as well as your physiology.” And trust me, it also forces runners of all abilities to address any weaknesses, rather than just work on their strengths, because there is no hiding from the truth of all that on the sand dunes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GRDZRTFKNJCQNOHFKC4CNMBTLE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Sand dune training has drifted in and out of popularity over the years. There is a magnificent picture of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ronnie-delany\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ronnie-delany\">Ronnie Delany</a> in his book Staying the Distance training on the sand dunes of Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast, just south of San Francisco, in the spring of 1960. Delany was based there at the time, working as a representative for Aer Lingus, and often linked up with Don Bowden, the first sub-four minute miler from the US, in their preparations for the 1960 Olympics in Rome.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y6UYM5D3YG2G6HOHRGP3QDUTPM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"YBS2QNINYNCLNDLWCRBCXJF3JU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Even when running up against the shifting, sandy gradient, Delany’s elegant if slightly upright style is unmistakable from that which saw him win the Olympic 1,500 metres gold medal in Melbourne four years previously. Sadly, an Achilles tendon injury would ultimately deny Delany the chance to defend his title in Rome, although, as it transpired, that race was won by another willing servant to sand dune training.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EP6O22SOHRGAXCD2WRSPWX73M4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“You might think you can run faster than me,” Percy Cerutty, Australia’s legendary distance coach, would snarl at his young pupil Herb Elliott, “but you’ll never run harder than me.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5YAY5MDSFFHURGMN3ABHBUAF5Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"Cerutty grew up in extreme poverty and didn’t taste any kind of fruit until he was 15. In 1942, at age 47, his health had failed so dramatically that he decided to do something dramatic about it. He revolutionised his diet, eating only raw, unprocessed food, and embarked on a punishing exercise regime. Five years later, at age 52, he ran a marathon in exactly three hours.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2X6WEQK4BZBVBPJ7EEAOCWHPB4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Keen to spread his running gospel, Cerutty set up a training camp at the small seaside town of Portsea, on the Victorian coast, perfect for his murderous training sessions over the vast sand dunes. Among the runners first drawn there were John Landy, who had come second to Delany in Melbourne, and, later, Elliott, who won the gold medal in Rome in a then world record of 3:35.6 before retiring two years later, undefeated in 44 races over the 1,500m and the mile. Cerutty continued coaching until 1975, when one evening he sat on those same sand unes at Portsea, took a deep breath, and exhaled his last.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AIV6YC2OKHJTQUNDRJM3TOZM6I","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VCZCQEYNNNCZ7LGTME5VPQADAI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Steve Ovett, who was favourite to win the Olympic 1,500m gold medal in Moscow in 1980, only to end up winning the 800m instead, was also a frequent (if perhaps slightly less willing) proponent of sand dune training, usually at Merthyr Mawr in south Wales, along with his coach Harry Wilson.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CH2LH44TOFC2ZLTGLPR5UJ3M7I","additional_properties":{},"content":"Hodgkinson, meanwhile, has made no secret of her record-breaking ambitions this year, starting in Birmingham next Saturday, where she is targeting the 800m world indoor record of 1:55.82 belonging to Jolanda Ceplak from Slovenia since 2002, and set coincidentally on March 3rd, the same day Hodgkinson was born.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XVQU4QSSMBHYDBNO6FGQNSMXIM","additional_properties":{},"content":"That’s proved a tough record to break for several reasons. Ceplak was pressed all the way at those 2002 European Indoor Championships in Vienna by home favourite Stephanie Graf. Five years later, Ceplak tested positive for EPO, and in 2010 Graf was also banned for the attempted use of a prohibited doping method.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SFZX5UOL5BA6PCS2THAX7SZLX4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Outdoors, Hodgkinson has an 800m best of 1:54.61, set when winning the London Diamond League last July, and this summer will also target the oldest and one of the most controversial world records in the books: the women’s 800m mark of 1:53.28 set back in 1983 by Jarmila Kratochvílová from the former Czechoslovakia.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MLWPXH36HFBB3OHKK46WMCXGCI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Hodgkinson will need to improve by almost a second and a half; still, it’s clearly within her range and ability in the coming years. The tip is in repeatedly running up the sand dunes at Formby beach, helping to point the way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WDV5LO2GFRGRNNTPR63MU737EQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sand dune training has drifted in and out of popularity, with Ronnie Delany and Steve Ovett tapping into powder power"},"display_date":"2025-02-08T06:00:01Z","headlines":{"basic":"Running up that dune: How Keely Hodgkinson follows in the training footsteps of the greats","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"MBBQLP4VWOAYL62DQZ4YDQQRDE","auth":{"1":"1252706cf0143532741a08cc99a0558f8f3909793f5bdc8086ffb304bee356e7"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MBBQLP4VWOAYL62DQZ4YDQQRDE.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/08/running-up-that-dune-how-keely-hodgkinson-follows-in-the-training-footsteps-of-the-greats/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"EHUOOULQAVDH7BK7AD4AX4MH7I","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":246,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/dcf69afc-6cf3-4f32-b758-01bff8a4b045/versions/1738592728/media/0b244f698c1ec174b441aab12023cb9f_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/02/03/new-irish-indoor-records-for-andrew-coscoran-sarah-healy-and-kate-oconnor/","content_elements":[{"_id":"JFIVIEGQ7VAZ5LDNF5FUVGBZ5U","additional_properties":{},"content":"The first proper action of the new indoor season and with that <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/andrew-coscoran/\" target=\"_blank\">Andrew Coscoran</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sarah-healy/\" target=\"_blank\">Sarah Healy</a> have both rewritten the Irish 3,000 metres records, Coscoran nailing the biggest victory of his career to boot.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I5TNDIQZ25ERPHAUAYYUHEKYKA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Competing at the sold-out New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston on Sunday night, Coscoran toppled the world-class field with a bold move to the front with two laps remaining, rewarded with a winning time of 7:30.75, the fourth fastest by a European, and improving his previous best by 10 seconds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MYVFH4BHORGZTEVVC25HZKCBAI","additional_properties":{},"content":"It was a superbly confident run by the Dublin athlete, taking eight seconds off the previous Irish record which has stood to Alistair Cragg since 2004, and only Mark Carroll’s outdoor record of 7:30.36 is faster on the Irish all-time list.","type":"text"},{"_id":"55SCTIOCSBDJTG6SOJCAKEDXRQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 28-year-old Coscoran, who recently joined the New Balance Manchester group coached by Helen Clitheroe, timed his run to perfection, running a blazing 26.71 seconds for his last lap, after overtaking long-time leader Azzedine Habz from France, who also ran a national indoor record of 7:31.50 in second; 18-year-old Cameron Myers following his world under-20 indoor mile record in New York last month with an Australian indoor record of 7:33.12 in third.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P67Z5VHD5RFW7O3544VKBPFSQI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I’ve had a good couple of coaches over the last couple years who have been unbelievable as well,” Coscoran said, acknowledging the input of his previous coach Feidhlim Kelly at the Dublin Track Club. “This is a couple years’ worth of work on the track.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FUEUD56NZRCITAYWWIVJPMQIHE","additional_properties":{},"content":"In a similarly competitive women’s 3,000m, Healy finished in fourth place in 8:35.19, improving her own Irish indoor record of 8:36.06 set last year. The 23-year-old from Dublin has also benefited from a move to the UK in recent seasons, where she trains under Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRAXXSLS6JCVFMFOMJYOZTJDWI","additional_properties":{},"content":"The victory there went to Melissa Courtney-Bryant from Wales, who ran a lifetime best to 8:28.69, the European indoor bronze medallist improving her previous best by more than nine seconds. Elise Cranny from the US was second 8:29.87.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YVEZQJJALZAZJFBVMG5C5H6FIA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mark English was also in action over 800m in Boston on Sunday night, the Donegal man finishing fifth in 1:46.82, and all three athletes are clearly building nicely towards the European Indoor Championships in the Dutch town of Apeldoorn next month.","type":"text"},{"_id":"25IGVIDRLJDVRJZSVMS6AI2ERQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Kate O’Connor was also in Irish record-breaking form over the weekend, at the Tallinn Combined Events meeting in Estonia, setting personal bests in all five disciplines to smash her own Irish indoor pentathlon record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WLRWGQASDNB7DIQTJWY24K6WNQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 24-year-old O’Connor recorded a tally of 4683 points, finishing to second behind Finland’s Saga Vanninen (4843), and notably higher than the 4396 points she recorded in France two years ago.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E2ZPSLOFUBD3DHFTZNHPXRNVSY","additional_properties":{},"content":"O’Connor’s effort included a throw of 14.42m in the shot put, plus an indoor best of 2:13.60 over 800m.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DZ5AVS23UFBAZHWSVEAFLXL3VQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"At the Scottish Athletics Indoor Invitational in Glasgow, Sharlene Mawdsley also got her season off to a winning start, clocking an indoor personal best of 51.69 to take victory in the 400m and secure an automatic qualifying standard for Apeldoorn – running .22 faster that her previous indoor best. 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","type":"text"},{"_id":"K6VSI3SRRVGWRGJ5RPYRWSMPPM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Styling herself as an unlikely middle-aged scrapper, she talked about how during her stint in jail she got into an altercation with another inmate that earned her 49 days in solitary confinement. No humble brag.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R6D57355PFHLXJRMHP6JOOOV7M","additional_properties":{},"content":"“If I have to fight,” she said, “I will fight.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UJJFGEYBYJATPO4LVCJ3EPPI5A","additional_properties":{},"content":"When she squared up to Kayla Nicole, an opponent described as model, influencer and former girlfriend of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, her experience of hand-to-hand combat in the clink didn’t count for much. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"54M3YM56XVHKRDUVBACLTGQIEA","additional_properties":{},"content":"As the two women flailed wildly at each other with more enthusiasm than skill, the younger Nicole landed cleaner hits and 49-year-old Jones eventually crumbled to the ground clutching her ribs, complaining of pain and shortness of breath.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZXGYBV4PIJFQPPHRXXMI5EWPHA","additional_properties":{},"content":"That was her final, ignominious contribution to Fox TV’s Special Forces – World’s Toughest Test, one of those shows in which celebrities of various wattages and vintage endure physical and mental torture to entertain the masses and resuscitate their flagging brands. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"DOIANXV2QJD3ROXRBG7VH4XHZM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Reality television is the last refuge of too many scoundrels, and a quarter of a century since the Summer of Marion yielded five Olympic medals in Sydney, the most famous distaff drug cheat of all returned to America’s screens, a dreadlocked mother of three, ex-con turned personal coach and motivational speaker.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BFYRW2LBXJATVJTPDJ2YJV7ZUM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"G2RCHNV2DNEO5GZUAK7EDY6T54","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I can’t go back and change things,” she said. “But I’ve come here to set an example for my kiddos that courage is stepping out when you don’t want to with the possibility that there’s going to be critics, there’s going to be opinions, but you just don’t disappear.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"EAB3D3WGJBBT3ONTPKRGQ3SB44","additional_properties":{},"content":"Even for those of us who watched her starring role in one of athletics’ ugliest and all-too regular steroid scandals, there was something almost sad about this cameo. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"G5NJN2KZZJBEDBCWG6E4D2OG2I","additional_properties":{},"content":"A woman that history might well have remembered as the world’s fastest reduced now to arse-boxing a content creator for the price of a few weeks back in the national spotlight. It can be legitimately argued this is exactly where she deserves to be for her sins but there is a nagging sense too that Jones suffered a lot more than some other celebrated drug cheats of her generation. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"TNGZFDJE5RG4DOPG2BF6UBT3Z4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Lance Armstrong all perpetrated sporting fraud on a similar scale to her yet none ever did jail time for their myriad wrongdoings. Having once served 30 days house detention in his mansion, Bonds is special adviser to the San Francisco Giants CEO and works with the club’s most promising youngsters at spring training.","type":"text"},{"_id":"353QUR5HMNG7JGHVRUADYBRVTY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Armstrong, somehow, remains a hero to the current crop of amnesiac cyclists and his podcast was a vaunted element of NBC’s coverage of the Tour de France last summer. Rodriguez is the face of televised baseball in America. Each of them is still coining it, the stench apparently long since evaporated from their soiled reputations.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4NZGOQJGNJALFFYEGTHTATP2DU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Once Victor Conte blew up Jones’s scam in the Balco affair, Olympic officials came to her house to repossess the medals. She didn’t even have time to troll her enemies by posing with her trophies à la the infamous shot of Armstrong in his crib with his maillot jaunes. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"46OEQHBC4JAQBF3VSJYFOWRR44","additional_properties":{},"content":"A Texas judge sentenced her to six months in prison and 800 hours community service for lying to federal authorities about steroid usage, and cheque fraud. A one-time college basketball star, upon release, she dabbled briefly in the WNBA, averaging just under three points a game, before fading from public view for nearly a decade and a half.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NTAC3QDM6JH33HOYANOYTGYL74","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VUULZMNZABB47FHVYI2GEVPFWY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Twice-divorced Jones re-emerged last summer, taking to Instagram to announce she was in a long-term and happy relationship with a woman. There followed a revealing interview with SELF magazine, during which she was asked what counsel she might offer to today’s female athletes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M4WDZLLEQBGBHGETMRP7YEWGBA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“My advice would be to, number one, make sure that they are surrounding themselves with people who have their best interest at heart,” said Jones, who went from earning $80,000 per race to bankruptcy. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"YB2KJURV3BF4RISRB2ZWSDBVE4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It becomes very easy, especially if you’re young, for so many people to see you as a dollar sign. And they become what I like to call ‘yes people’ − who will say yes . . . no matter what. Even if it’s a poor choice, or it’s not the right company to align with. They’re like, ‘Yes, that’s great'.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5GAEHF5DF5EANOZ5JDJJBRPMME","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the accompanying photo spread, she wore Adidas, Reebok, and Puma gear. Significantly, not a swoosh to be seen. Nike made tens of millions off her in her prime, as it did from the tarnished achievements of Bonds, Rodriguez, Armstrong, and so many other chemically-enhanced swindlers. Nobody has ever sold ersatz greatness to gullible fans through slick, cloying television commercials better than Phil Knight’s snake oil merchants.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MAQVQUZECJF4FKNEKDC22VRBPE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“This communique is from Mrs Jones,” she said, in a 2000 Nike ad where she lectured America’s athletes about misbehaviour. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"3LJYK355FVFX7B2MAC7TISMVZA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Friends, enough is enough, the drug use, the spousal abuse, the violence, it’s got to stop. Whether you want responsibility or not, you are a role model. I know what Charles [Barkley] said, but you missed his point. He was calling for parents to get involved, he wasn’t giving you a licence to act the fool. We need more role models, the more the better. Can you dig it?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MWTT2AZWAZDVRO6TKM4RAV4YUM","additional_properties":{},"content":"That went down very well back then. Hits different now.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Dave Hannigan"}},"name":"Dave Hannigan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Reality television the last refuge of too many scoundrels as disgraced former Olympic champion joins a long list\n\n"},"display_date":"2025-01-30T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Dave Hannigan: Sad spectacle as Marion Jones bids to rebuild her ruined brand ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"KWZKHWQ32ZH6DICU3OUFYTHDDE","auth":{"1":"ef04635b295f430e38c88c27fff9bb86c77d0768d49e18df1d9633c87b9a74ab"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/KWZKHWQ32ZH6DICU3OUFYTHDDE.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/30/dave-hannigan-sad-spectacle-as-marion-jones-bids-to-rebuild-her-ruined-brand/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"2733LOLNMJHSXDWRLJLDD6IPKI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":140,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/06d550e6-3f02-4caf-9a83-505b4d6e9b8b/versions/1738157211/media/50669603a6565c3645d2fc2b56f10ea1_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/29/i-have-cherished-every-moment-thomas-barr-announces-retirement/","content_elements":[{"_id":"SJH2JRMADJBXJCVB2GZ63VT7VA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Three-time Olympian <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/thomas-barr\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/thomas-barr\">Thomas Barr</a> has announced his retirement from competitive athletics. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"WBWCXV4R35B3HJ6VGUUBLD2PXI","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 32-year-old 400m hurdler from Waterford won a bronze medal at the 2018 European Athletics Championships in Berlin, becoming the first Irish male sprinter to win an outdoor European medal in the 84-year history of the event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4PO7SRCDT5HP5AC5RFRAW5YA4E","additional_properties":{},"content":"In 2016, Barr finished fourth in the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\" title=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games\">Olympic Games</a> 400-metre hurdles final in Rio in a time of 47.97 seconds, setting a new Irish record that still stands today. He was also the University World Champion in 2015 and holds multiple Irish records in the 400m hurdles, including Senior, under-23, and under-20 categories. Over his career, he has won 12 national titles in the 400m hurdles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7XWFVKACL5HGJHAKK3WVYDE22A","additional_properties":{},"content":"Last year, Barr enjoyed groundbreaking success as part of the mixed 4x400m relay team who became European Champions in Rome and secured a bronze medal at the World Relay Championships in the Bahamas.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBMP6SLYXKHJQ4N4FBXY52QZTA","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6OD265JNRVB73DAVWVFAWL4XIY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Reflecting on his athletics career, Barr said: “I am grateful to all the people who have been part of my journey, especially my parents, for their support. And my coaches, Drew and Hayley, who were central to my athletics performances. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"MN22VUKF35EGTNGTRA4AVTLY6M","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I have loved the sport from the day I joined Ferrybank AC as a young boy. I have cherished every moment, from winning national championships to breaking Irish records and representing my country on the European and World stage. I will never forget finishing fourth in the Rio Olympic Games and winning bronze at the European Championships in the 400m hurdles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6U4FNGS7DZFQXNQ37PLRVE2VZ4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“My final year gave me some magical moments; being on the mixed relay team that won a World medal and secured victory at the European Championships was incredible. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"7IKZ2JZI2RG6LJ7LNYME3TXAWA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I am grateful to Athletics Ireland and the team management for their support throughout my career. A big thank to you to the athletics community and the public who have cheered me on in both the good and bad times. As I close this chapter, I look forward to what the future holds and hope to stay connected to the sport that has shaped my life.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","type":"list"},{"_id":"FJQRS7ELKNA4HHFYOQP5SJO5XE","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"Three-time Olympian won bronze at the 2018 Europeans and finished fourth in Olympic final in Rio"},"display_date":"2025-01-29T13:31:33.503Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘I have cherished every moment’ – Thomas Barr announces retirement ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"CMB6FLYQSXTTNE6N56D5LWH25E","auth":{"1":"d0e9123b0372e8b1c515350cdabe626bf25d41729788eae0e53b8f3774acac83"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/CMB6FLYQSXTTNE6N56D5LWH25E.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/29/i-have-cherished-every-moment-thomas-barr-announces-retirement/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"BDOMBMQNLVEV3O2BRO7QWMY66I","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":349,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/dee90bac-2712-4687-a91d-6b25f9657aba/versions/1737050529/media/c563081146efa5ed6eb323c194e5525d_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/17/sonia-osullivan-relay-pool-an-open-door-for-young-athletes-hoping-to-make-a-splash/","content_elements":[{"_id":"7QJTAPLHCVARVKZ7NYMXAZJBHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886819},"content":"The Irish athletics scene is still in hibernation, with many of Ireland’s 2024 stars scattered around the southern hemisphere and the United States at various training camps. The big attractions are the warmer weather and high altitude locations mainly in the South African and Australian summer where the weather is consistently warmer and more predictable at this time of year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FANVKMDFPZFEXCMDMZ4CXVP4XQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886820},"content":"Even though the racing scene is fairly dormant apart from winter road racing and cross country, the athletes are putting in the ground work now that they expect to pay dividends in the coming months at the early season indoor races. This could lead to possible appearances by Irish athletes at the European Indoor Championships from March 6th-9th in Apeldoorn, Netherlands and the World Indoor Championships two weeks later in Nanjing, China before heading outdoors to the World Relay Championships, back to China again in Guangzhou on May 10th-11th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VY2XWXSQHFEA7F5TUCIUYDWPNQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886821},"content":"No Olympics this summer but it’s going to be a busy year for athletes with a lot of long-haul flights for the major championships, culminating with the World Championships at the end of the season in Tokyo in September.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6W63R36J5BE5VCYHGZA3MCI6RA","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886822},"content":"The medal-winning success of the Irish relay mixed and women’s squads in 2024, at the World relays and the European Championships, remain fresh in the memory as well as the heartbreaking fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympic Games by the women’s team.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NDG5MI6ZBFFIJNEVWKPB4VEYPQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886823},"content":"There was also a fourth place by Rhasidat Adeleke in the 400m and coming so close just fuels the fire as these athletes set their sights on solidifying these performances with even greater results in 2025.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGFRDCOLERE6BKDPBEWPHFWBMI","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886824},"content":"It’s not an easy decision for athletes who are qualified individually to also run the relay on tired legs knowing that the potential for greater success would require them to put all the eggs in one basket, but also rely on their team mates to deliver a complete performance at the highest stage.","type":"text"},{"_id":"G47JLARCDZHVNGGBZMQAFMTT2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886825},"content":"This is an area where Ireland are handicapped due to a lack of depth in quality to be able to field different athletes to qualify for the final. I believe the potential is here for young aspiring athletes to view this as an open door to be a part of a successful event in Irish athletics by raising the standard and increasing the number of athletes available to the relay pool.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ML7EDBNECVBYFGCPEEQIWSHR64","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886826},"content":"The relay is typically a bonus event at the end of a championship but, for some countries down through the years, it is seen as the greatest opportunity to bring home a medal on the Olympic stage and that’s what these next few years are for, to build on the success of Paris as we head down the road to LA 2028.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VEDHSW37W5DJDDEGKMAK4XRBZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886827},"content":"In the middle distance events, the European Indoor Championships are a good stepping stone for athletes on the cusp of success, for those that can run fast times but have yet to make finals. With so many championships and races this year on the Diamond League calendar and the newly formed Grand Slam track primarily taking place in the US, athletes will have to sit down and make some hard choices, and be careful not to spread their efforts too thinly, as they have to carry their form all the way to the World Championships in September.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IRJ3UPP7XVHJXMEA3ZJATPDYGY","additional_properties":{"_id":"I2G3JMIYY5AJXBIPQNO2PWUGAQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"S5KGGGGXLJCM5NHHUOEHSESREI","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886828},"content":"As much as we had success throughout 2024, there is still a lot of room for growth, particularly on the men’s side where the highest ranked in their event was Mark English who came in at 21st in the 800m. In doing so he solidified his qualification for all the major championships in 2025.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PQCB5GZGMNFQHGNF2R5OQC735I","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886829},"content":"When an athlete has their qualification in place it makes their life a lot easier as they can pick and choose a schedule to get them to the championships ready to race and avoid the need to desperately chase times whenever the opportunity arises.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CAOPA5F6A5GGHGBZZLUCK6AOH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886830},"content":"In 2024 there were five Irish female athletes ranked in the top 20 or better for their events – a good foundation of success to build on in the year ahead – and there was a noticeable level of respect shown towards Irish women who didn’t just hope to find themselves competing in finals and semi-finals, but had their sights set higher.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MLGWEKZ6IFEZPPZNEHNIUXIC3Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886831},"content":"The European youth medal-winning class of 2018 is leading the way, with Rhasidat Adeleke ranked fourth in the 400m, and so close to an Olympic medal. You know when an athlete is disappointed with a fourth place finish that they truly believe they could have achieved more. You also know the hard work and effort required throughout these winter months to get back up to that level again in four years’ time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4BKCWCDGQJCULCD73OXXLRDB3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886832},"content":"It will be interesting to see if Rhasidat takes the opportunity to chase a gold medal at the European and World indoors or if she will wait for the outdoors to re-start.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E2A6Y4ABNVHZ3HQAGON56UFCEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886833},"content":"Indoors is one stage that Sarah Healy, ranked 17th over 1,500m, can find some confidence in her championship racing. Sarah has shown her ability to keep pace with the best athletes in the world, improving her time to 3:57.46. She trains alongside Olympic bronze medalist Georgia Bell so she will know what it takes to succeed at the highest level. The European Indoors are the perfect stage for Sarah to challenge for her first senior medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HOYTW7DMYNCIRDMFV6MZ7WX3CI","additional_properties":{"_id":"PDCNFUK4H5GUXHBPKYO3MKN3UA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JRIOTQTDIZFL5KLJRROCIFYLCU","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886834},"content":"Sarah Lavin is another that knows she belongs in the finals; ranked 15th in one of the deepest events, she will certainly be eyeing a hurdles final at the European and World Indoors, where a year ago she placed fifth.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CTLORGDKNZBKNH62I5XQ7AGK74","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886835},"content":"Israel Olatunde has been in Florida the past number of months under the watchful eye of Noah Lyles’ coach Lance Brauman, training alongside the Olympic 100m champion, and it will be intriguing to see the impact this has on the Irish 60m and 100m record holder.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3J4T6O4VRFYNKZEEY3FPZVHKA","additional_properties":{"_id":1737025886836},"content":"For sure, 2025 won’t have the same intensity that you see in an Olympic year and this is where opportunities can arise for athletes waiting in the wings, ready to take their chance when it arises. Let us hope we see some of that success land in the lanes of Irish athletes throughout this year.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}},"name":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sonia O’Sullivan: Relay pool an open door for young athletes hoping to make a splash"},"display_date":"2025-01-17T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sonia O’Sullivan: Relay pool an open door for young Irish athletes hoping to make a splash","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"5MHDUJ72NBE2JDG656WGPHMYX4","auth":{"1":"0000bca8cb9fb5f1f2e63e5a1d926489b59a87af23991f7bc3c4ea0d70d3370a"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/5MHDUJ72NBE2JDG656WGPHMYX4.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/17/sonia-osullivan-relay-pool-an-open-door-for-young-athletes-hoping-to-make-a-splash/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"LBWRRGASSBHHDKHMJUFSXVI23M","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":240,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/9433389f-c1f0-407e-b308-3ca35194024e/versions/1736370560/media/4e33f784e04525927496fa04b89cbb67_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/08/not-in-our-wildest-dreams-half-marathon-organisers-blown-away-by-demand/","content_elements":[{"_id":"JKTUYFTK35ACRLCC7PTOCPEVDY","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868415},"content":"Event organisers of the new Dublin City Half Marathon say not in their “wildest dreams” did they expect to sell out all 12,500 places in under two hours.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPDXMS7FEBAKRHKBAHDE2KWE3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868416},"content":"Entries for the March 30th event, which is being organised by <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> in conjunction with Dublin City Council, went on sale at 12pm on Wednesday with all race numbers snapped up before 2pm.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IAYD3YF7QZHFDG6TTMGT2ZHT3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868417},"content":"However, hundreds of hopeful entrants were left disappointed at missing out as the online registration system suffered repeated glitches, users encountering validation errors, the server appearing to crash on occasions and often sending purchasers back to the very start of the process.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TQJVCUISDNHJBMUZPD2ABAFZ2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868418},"content":"“We are aware that some users experienced problems. Our office has sent screenshots of any errors we received to Event Master to see if they can figure out why those errors came about,” said race director Jim Aughney. “We will review the process fully and consider options for 2026.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"HQE5UFKLLBHERIMFTWEDOUFR2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868419},"content":"For those left without a race number there will be another opportunity to get an entry as a transfer of places will be permitted, at a cost of €5, between February 21st to March 9th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZHUWZNVFHJD6PFZ7A47FGE3GU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868420},"content":"Such was the demand for entries the waiting queue exceeded 22,000 at times on Wednesday afternoon – though it does not necessarily mean that volume of individuals were trying to gain entry to the race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IW5SKKHFKBEIDIWL2WO7J4DF6I","additional_properties":{"_id":"4IEHPB3UYVFH3CS243YYGLBKFU"},"content":"Dublin City Half Marathon: 12,500 entries sell out in under two hours","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"PLRBNJZX3ZBZHOZWKYX7JVFJMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868421},"content":"“Same people could have had three sessions open on their phones and laptops, so while we know the demand was huge we don’t know what those numbers actually mean until the data is examined,” added Aughney.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNNX5L3JWZG2PPIZ3L3WSIDZTY","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868422},"content":"Either way, it is clear that several thousand more entries could have been sold. The race will start on O’Connell Street at 8.30am with the proposed northside route taking in Ballybough, Whitehall, Killester, Howth Road, Raheny, St Anne’s Park, Clontarf, Fairview Park and Seville Place.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZEBM5OJ4CNCU7O6LFYS6DBF5JY","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868423},"content":"The €68 entry fee – which includes a finisher’s T-shirt, medal and postage of race number – also generated debate on Wednesday. The total cost for many runners was €74.42 because of a €4.42 handling fee plus a €2 Athletics Ireland Licence charge for non-club members.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BOYVRNEKIBGMHLDMMG47X3TZ5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868424},"content":"Aughney said the price point was reached as the cost of running the event will be “north of €1 million”. “And just like with the marathon, any excess funds from entries will go back into the event as hopefully this will continue to grow over time,” he added.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BTQXA7FWOZF2BI2BU2R2BH2C5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868426},"content":"The capital’s more traditional 13.1-mile race – the Dublin Half Marathon in the Phoenix Park, which is part of the official Dublin Marathon Series – will again take place in September. Entries for that race will open on February 19th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XHKEB5WO3BFPZETVGTOB7VTNBI","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868427},"content":"The achievement of selling out the new Dublin City Half Marathon in a matter of hours demonstrates the huge appetite for such events.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HCQIH24JUND47AHWDIEHRQDAQE","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868428},"content":"“Not in our wildest dreams did we think it would sell out in just over an hour or so,” said Aughney. “If we sold all the entries by the time the event came around in March we thought we’d be doing really well.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IQQOKVZUCJEYJBKMYCXDF3WZFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868429},"content":"“So, this is clearly a huge statement from the running community in Ireland. We believed in the event but the level of interest was phenomenal and it kind of took us by surprise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"54BAF2XNCFHC7HJKZCFHFPHFMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868430},"content":"“We looked at the trend across Europe and the half marathon seems to be the sweet spot distance now that people are aiming for – most of the other bigger cities have half marathons roughly six months out from their major marathon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JIWJUXJKTVEYRI3PR53AGIR6HA","additional_properties":{"_id":1736366868431},"content":"“Thankfully Dublin City Council supported us and the running community responded in huge numbers.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"Organisers acknowledge technical issues that hindered some users in securing a place"},"display_date":"2025-01-08T21:04:02.549Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘Not in our wildest dreams’: Half Marathon organisers blown away by demand ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"W2AP466ELZNDAHTB7AWFDIXYUU","auth":{"1":"30d10361ccfd1a2d5ac99be6118b7b2098930d2165ae6d2053e443f1d4e13485"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/W2AP466ELZNDAHTB7AWFDIXYUU.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/08/not-in-our-wildest-dreams-half-marathon-organisers-blown-away-by-demand/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"HYFPX6XC3VBZDACY2OSJP7FLRU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":94,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/a91f77a0-7ec1-42b7-a773-0b5dc4074b14/versions/1736347378/media/ebb5ba92680a5cf44cdefef1d7c85574_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/08/dublin-city-half-marathon-entries-sell-out-in-under-two-hours/","content_elements":[{"_id":"CNXMSLYWX5AAFL6YRNCYOFU5WM","additional_properties":{"_id":1736273193073},"content":"Entries for the new Dublin City Half Marathon have sold out less than two hours after going on sale.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TPYAOE6NWVDR5LNLCZ5KSEHV4U","additional_properties":{"_id":1736347601527},"content":"Having gone on sale to the public shortly before midday on Wednesday, the 12,500 available places sold out just before 2pm.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YQH5CB4TORFLTMBX66TAGHDOFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1736273193074},"content":"The event, which is being organised by Dublin Marathon in conjunction with Dublin City Council, will take place on Sunday, March 30th, with a €68 entry fee.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YWGAWNXAZVBTXNH7BTN6KDRZQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1736273193075},"content":"The race will start on O’Connell Street with the proposed route taking in Ballybough, Whitehall, Killester, Howth Road, Raheny, St Anne’s Park, Clontarf, Fairview Park and Seville Place.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NBUEFCDN7ZC3ZIM6W4G4VJGJDA","additional_properties":{"_id":1736273193076},"content":"Organisers confirmed there will be a transfer window from February 21st to March 9th, during which runners will have the opportunity to secure an entry via the transfer of places.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5BDC2EMQ4BF2PCJY5M22WRHJNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1736337461330},"content":"Commenting after entries for the event went on sale, Dublin City Half Marathon race director Jim Aughney said: “We knew there was a demand for another high-quality half marathon in Dublin, and today has shown that to be true as we sold out in a couple of hours.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QTVZUGNFPFAXLH6ZAVX2UWGY2I","additional_properties":{"_id":1736347108562},"content":"He added: “We are aware too that given the high demand, some users experienced difficulties with registration. We will review this fully and consider options for 2026 entries.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"Entries went on sale just after midday on Wednesday"},"display_date":"2025-01-08T14:42:55.713Z","headlines":{"basic":"Dublin City Half Marathon: 12,500 entries sell out in under two hours","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"FA3FM5JDUVGSPPBZEG2QI2WGSE","auth":{"1":"43db7be308c10f8a503ebf5c0f8ca38a0894dff3729875954d3843aaf896df59"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/FA3FM5JDUVGSPPBZEG2QI2WGSE.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2025/01/08/dublin-city-half-marathon-entries-sell-out-in-under-two-hours/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"BISONB5UY5A3LHPEOLYKQWRSW4","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":799,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/917b30a5-8a3b-4d04-8012-3800f8a7f18d/versions/1734540687/media/1b8ae32f5ddba901c1c16d0866483236_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/28/denis-walsh-irish-sports-underdog-mentality-has-been-replaced-with-an-unabashed-hunger-to-be-the-best/","content_elements":[{"_id":"DDZS6ZV4D5BPXLWF7RMT7RBGJI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756873},"content":"On the opening weekend of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic</a> regatta <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paul-o-donovan/\" target=\"_blank\">Paul O’Donovan</a> walked into the mixed zone flogging a punchline, mercilessly. In the draw, the reigning World and Olympic champions were just the third seeds. O’Donovan greeted every microphone with a stand-up riff he had composed earlier, pretending to be injured by the slight, or pretending not to be.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XNED3YSDNJFVDNDXQLIYEM6ZYA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756874},"content":"“I can’t even count how many names are above us [in the seedings],” he said. “We are just here to enjoy ourselves, do the best we can and take a few of the big scalps – all going well.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"265BYA743VE6ZOMSWAMUWRIOFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756875},"content":"O’Donovan’s self-portrait as an underdog was deliberately preposterous. It was the only gag in the routine. O’Donovan and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/fintan-mccarthy/\" target=\"_blank\">Fintan McCarthy</a> were favourites to win the gold medal, just as they had been favourites for every race they had rowed together for the previous five years. For them, being an underdog or not being an underdog had no consequence. They had a cold contract with each other to make the boat go faster.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YTVWTBEUXVHVZHZBKUX4VPQHRY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756876},"content":"For generations of Irish sportspeople, being an underdog had been a fossil fuel. In the popular imagination, winning was wrapped up with fire. Put ‘em under pressure. Boot and bollock. Stand up and fight.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VHN7G7KCYZFOVHJDN6TPNPVBAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756877},"content":"It was a safe space where winning was optional and losing was available with a range of painkillers and rounds of applause. All of it was a cop-out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JVVEBIGLHFCDJHYAIQOPN2252M","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756878},"content":"In the Golden Age of Irish sport, winning has become intentional. Elite Irish sportspeople make themselves accountable to winning and losing rather than innocent hostages to the outcome. ‘If’ has been emasculated. O’Donovan and McCarthy were convinced they would become the first Irish athletes since Pat O’Callaghan to retain an Olympic title. They knew it was in their hands.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNG6GXK3U5DDZK5H53BZ4HJXYA","additional_properties":{"_id":"2MPKRBP5LNEITM5L4O5N5DS36M"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"D6X3AJ6JYZE3HFKJ6FFZYXA2AM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756879},"content":"Gymnast <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhys_mcclenaghan/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhys McClenaghan</a> and swimmer <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/daniel-wiffen/\" target=\"_blank\">Daniel Wiffen</a> were of the same mind, though they expressed it with chutzpah. “There’s some things you set out to do,” said McClenaghan a couple of months after he <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2024/08/03/tears-of-joy-flow-as-rhys-mcclenaghan-wins-historic-olympic-gold-medal-for-ireland-in-gymnastics/\" target=\"_blank\">won gold at the Olympics</a>. “Not just taking part but taking over. As soon as I could see the pathway to being the best in the world I was like, ‘Ok, I’m going to say it because it needs to be said.’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5NELQWOJ2VFCJLVHPII35FQLJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756880},"content":"After he <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2024/07/30/irelands-daniel-wiffen-wins-olympic-gold-medal-after-stunning-800m-swim-in-paris/\" target=\"_blank\">won his Olympic gold</a> Wiffen spoke about his nerves, but most of all he spoke about his certainty. “I had no doubt in my mind,” he said. “I had won this already, before I walked out [to the pool].” When he appeared at the RTÉ Sports awards before Christmas he said it wasn’t a question of ‘if’ he would be on the podium at the LA Games, it was only a question of how many medals he would win; his expectation is three.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TCHN6LGBHBBYBNTQEFAW5FRWQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756881},"content":"At the Olympics and the Paralympics this cultural shift was crystallised more than ever. It wasn’t forced or fake. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/orla-comerford/\" target=\"_blank\">Orla Comerford</a> won bronze in the T13 100m and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/09/03/there-is-lots-more-in-the-tank-orla-comerford-happy-with-paralympics-bronze-for-now/\" target=\"_blank\">her first reaction was “disappointment”</a>. At her third Games, this was her first medal. The two athletes who finished ahead of her had both broken the existing world record. When Comerford met her family, she said, her feelings softened, but her first reaction was the most truthful.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4RLGWT3275G63CUZRYVTY3A4AA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756882},"content":"“I reckoned at the start of the year that it was going to take a world record to win it and that’s what I had my eyes on,” she said. “I know that was ambitious, but I think that is well within my wheelhouse. I just feel like there is lots more in tank.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"IRQ3TZBHOJGTRE73AXVJ5FGWMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756883},"content":"It would have been easy to hide behind the bronze medal and pretend it was the measure of her dreams, and for generations of Irish athletes that would have been the instinctive response: be grateful for the bread on your table.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NMUN6DUYYFGJVGP3PRAGH2DOEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756884},"content":"Winning has no truck with moderation, though; it is governed by greed. In rowing, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/philip-doyle/\" target=\"_blank\">Philip Doyle</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/daire-lynch/\" target=\"_blank\">Daire Lynch</a> became the first Irish heavyweight crew to win an Olympic medal, but they weren’t satisfied with bronze either. “It was kind of a wave of positive and negative [as we crossed the finishing line],” said Doyle. “Relief and disappointment.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XHPWHWBV3BBY7EDJGHDQ5CU7XY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734536500991},"content":"The only way they could have won gold was to cultivate those feelings. If they had aimed for the bottom step on the podium, where would they have ended up?","type":"text"},{"_id":"S4AAK36E3VVO5ZBJTMD5EZMYCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"PBGSI2A5RFBSZKOMKKHPZZH7WI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"66DH7ZO7ZNHT5CPQVW6G76Z57M","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756886},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> ran the third fastest time of her career and came fourth in the Olympic final. To win a medal she would have needed to break 49 seconds for the first time in her life. In the course of her season, she set six new Irish records as an individual and six as part of relay teams. At the European Championships, she won two silvers and one gold. Good year?","type":"text"},{"_id":"24IR5DKA4JDDPOJ2YG65STWDRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756887},"content":"In a series of interviews hosted by one her sponsors before Christmas she said she still “had PTSD” from the Olympics. When she’s scrolling through photographs on her phone she skips the images from Paris, she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SIXGIKZDMFGMVMXF4VZQ3EFUPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756888},"content":"In terms of medals at major championships, Adeleke had the best season of any Irish athlete since Sonia O’Sullivan in 1998. But her goal was an Olympic medal, and all the other stuff couldn’t make up for that loss. The European Championships and the Olympics were different currencies, and there was no exchange rate.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZLR2X6Y3V5FYLET6COPDYCSOWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756889},"content":"Adeleke is one of the most talented sports people that Ireland has ever produced, and like Wiffen and McClenaghan and O’Donovan and McCarthy, she has no business sifting through the detritus of a loss in search of comfort, or mitigation. In her mind, she was accountable to the outcome.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MTV3I6NWHZDBHKBZPONBAJMJZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756890},"content":"“I didn’t achieve my dreams today,” she said immediately after the race. “In the future I just hope I’ll be able to perform at my best when it’s most important.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MZARBQHD2NC3BF7HPKOILXAZLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756891},"content":"At these altitudes the falls are precipitous. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/leinster-rugby/\" target=\"_blank\">Leinster Rugby</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rory-mcilroy/\" target=\"_blank\">Rory McIlroy</a> spend a lot of time near the summit. The footing is treacherous; they slipped again. Leinster are still stuck on four European Cups; McIlroy is stuck on four majors: flamboyant, brilliant, box-office, agonisingly close, tormented.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5GQHB5SDS5EQRHSCWBZH5CW3NU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756892},"content":"A month after he bogeyed three of the last four holes at the US Open, McIlroy turned up in the media centre at the Scottish Open, trying to explain himself again. In these situations, over the years, McIlroy has been remarkably candid and generous in his answers. He has sat behind those microphones and somehow led the case for the defence and the prosecution. McIlroy has always understood that being plausible after a crushing loss required a degree of self-rebuke and admission of weakness. Many other sportspeople don’t care about being plausible in public.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6MT5WU4W6VAEDKH6ZGU4RCXIXE","additional_properties":{"_id":"MYE774BUJNAHNHVZTPTMW6CHOM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SKTMVTWOIJGEVPRT7BBJUT5CLM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756893},"content":"The short putts he missed on the 16th and the 18th overshadowed the clutch putt he holed on the 17th. He came from three shots behind at the beginning of the day to put himself in a winning position at the only time in the tournament when that status mattered. To get there, he had managed his mind and played some brilliantly controlled golf.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O5GNE64W4FHUZEUFQPT6O4UK5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756894},"content":"In the press conference at the Scottish Open he gave a site engineer’s report on the sliding, slippery, smelly, downhill putt he missed on the final green, when he needed to hole it to be sure of a play-off, at least. It felt like the kind of putt that McIlroy could miss at any time, but, according to the statistics, he had not missed from inside five feet on the PGA Tour all season – from nearly 500 putts – until the closing holes at Pinehurst. By the end of the year, he ranked third on tour for putts holed from that range.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D7ZU6B7RJVBVFOERBAHCVVR4CM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756895},"content":"With McIlroy, the assumption is always that his mind let him down. He needed to confront that likelihood again. In elite sport, that component cannot be wished away. In that context, McIlroy said something interesting about the putt he missed on the 16th, which was shorter and much easier than the putt he missed on the final green.","type":"text"},{"_id":"33GENKOYVZDCJDQUCAUFG2W7ZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756896},"content":"“I can vividly remember starting to feel a little uncomfortable waiting for my second putt on 16,” he said. “The first putt [from distance] looked like it could be a birdie, and it ran a foot by where I thought it was going to finish. I marked it, Patrick [Cantlay] was hitting his putt, and he can take his time [Cantlay is one of the slowest players on tour].","type":"text"},{"_id":"IWTCNXSRMBE2PPDWIE6FM46DQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756897},"content":"“You have to be really deliberate in what you’re doing. I just think I had to wait a while to hit that second putt. The more you stand there it’s hard not to either start thinking about the future or notice where Bryson’s [De Chambeau] ball is in the fairway. But, again, that’s on me to make sure I’m in the right head space.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"RJJ5ASKX35ED3JOBNI6TP7ZJH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756898},"content":"With Leinster, just like McIlroy, it went down to the wire. By having a kick to win the Champions Cup in the final minute of regulation time, they had put themselves where they had planned to be: in a winning position when it mattered most. This was their intention.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KH2R2IGVWRB2TOYIXLETVU57IM","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZX2W3UZMW5A5DCENR6KLQPLKWI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6BL2JSCWHFGE5IXADEGRCJJWVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756899},"content":"Since they last won the title, Leinster have now lost four finals. There is no remedy for past defeats. Like Lot’s wife in the Bible, looking back will turn you into a pillar of salt.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T3K4ZXUTZVCYPJDNWR62VEC4TY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756900},"content":"“We said in the changing room, ‘When you want to do great things and you want to achieve great things, you always want the risk of failing greatly as well,’” said James Ryan afterwards. “Would I rather be in a team that tries to be the best team in Europe every year and have risks in a team like this? I still would.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"WEUQMVWF5JDIFHQCKSB6RUB3RI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756901},"content":"And that’s the point. Winning, wanting to win, being desperate to win, is the riskiest thing of all. Underdogs hold themselves to different standards. Being an underdog is an each-way bet. It is the realm of “might” and “maybe” and “what harm?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DBSRC4OEVVGMRMGSLDE7YPKYPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756902},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/willie-mullins/\" target=\"_blank\">Willie Mullins</a> gave that up a long time ago. On the day he trained his 100th Cheltenham Festival winner Ruby Walsh recalled Mullins’ refusal to sell a talented young horse called Wither or Which back in the mid-1990s. At that stage, Mullins had trained just one Cheltenham winner and the economy of Irish racing was such that most trainers were forced to sell their best young horses.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBC76SSBYZBDXE34PYYBCICOLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756903},"content":"Mullins made the decision that his yard wasn’t going to be like that. He embraced the risk. Mullins was still riding as an amateur at the time and in March 1996 he rode Wither or Which to win the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Twenty-eight years later, his 100th winner came in the same race, with his son Patrick in the saddle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"66KTA5ZWO5FRBC2XF5EXNKRPHE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756904},"content":"The growth of Mullins’ dominance over the last decade has been one of the most extraordinary stories in Irish sport. It is only 11 years since he became the Irish trainer with the most Cheltenham winners, beating Tom Dreaper’s record of 26 that had stood for more than 40 years. At no other time in the history of Cheltenham, though, was 100 festival winners imaginable.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3VQAWE7G65FH7GNZDKZNWIISNE","additional_properties":{"_id":"3U63DO6ZPNCS5GOJ363ZYOUELU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"D4V4QYCR6RAPLAUTJBJT3UUVBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756905},"content":"On the day in March when Mullins reached that milestone, he saddled a treble. In the opening race, a grade one for novice hurdlers, he trained the first five home. Less than two months later he was crowned champion trainer in Britain, the first Irish-based trainer to achieve that feat over jumps since Vincent O’Brien 70 years ago.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EUGPMALJTJAFJDEBOFS5R7GGZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756906},"content":"There are people in the sport who find his dominance oppressive and boring, but that is a relic of old thinking. He distanced himself from the herd. Great sportspeople make that separation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZQAECM7MOFELVFOEV73JZ63IKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756907},"content":"Aidan O’Brien has been at Mullins’ altitude for decades. Before Royal Ascot he trained his 400th group one winner, worldwide, an astonishing number. In November he trained his 20th Breeders’ Cup winner, joining D Wayne Lukas on top of the all-time list, at a meeting where the odds are weighted heavily in favour of American trainers.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OI6Z7YZGIFAIBGG6NYUUDEH7FQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756908},"content":"Mullins and O’Brien, we take for granted. The excellence of the Ireland rugby team has become a given, too. Excluding the pandemic-ravaged schedule in 2020, Ireland have, on average, lost five Test matches in the year after a World Cup; this year they lost just three times and won the Six Nations. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2024/07/13/ciaran-frawley-the-man-of-the-hour-as-ireland-strike-late-to-stun-south-africa/\" target=\"_blank\">Ireland won in South Africa for only the second time</a> in the fixture’s history and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2024/02/02/ireland-stun-france-with-best-ever-six-nations-victory-on-french-soil/\" target=\"_blank\">won in France for just the 13th time</a> in 114 years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGB62OU6AFFDZDBT6RKJLI367E","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756909},"content":"And yet, by the end of the year, there was general uproar about the clunkiness of Ireland’s performances in the Autumn Internationals. Success takes that toll. In the decades when Irish rugby was an underachieving underdog, those performances would have been given a God-help-us benediction. Which would we prefer?","type":"text"},{"_id":"MHIMDGRSHZEPXMMQRUJXMCIIA4","additional_properties":{"_id":"VAJT4MAFKVHFPD3QAXDEFKPTZI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AELHP2EJBJBTHLOCLFUTOZHWAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756910},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a> keeps getting the close calls that Leinster and McIlroy find so elusive. She keeps putting herself in winning positions too. Her resilience and drive and stamina and skill are outlandish. How many global pioneers in their sport have we produced? Maybe only Taylor.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZY6KJPX67REO5OLDPR5XEN2AFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756911},"content":"It is extraordinary, though, that <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a> should come along at the same time. In the beginning she might have followed in Taylor’s footsteps, but soon she made her own path. Double Olympic champion now. Heading to Paris, she carried the same expectation as Wiffen and McClenaghan and O’Donovan and McCarthy; none of them buckled. “Dreams are heavy things,” wrote Laurence Arnholt in one of his children’s books. Grown-ups know that too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H2RIJHPRIFBONLK23MCSQGL3MY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756912},"content":"The hurling championship was a glorious sunbeam in a cloudy summer. The All-Ireland final was a match of everlasting brilliance. Everything about it was heartening and uplifting. Armagh won the football All-Ireland as outsiders. They didn’t think like underdogs, though.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RQE5XTRZJ5F6BENFEN3UUSFJK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530756913},"content":"That cop-out is dead.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Denis Walsh"}},"name":"Denis Walsh"}]},"description":{"basic":"In the Golden Age of Irish sport, winning has become intentional"},"display_date":"2024-12-28T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Denis Walsh: Irish sport’s underdog mentality has been replaced with an unabashed hunger to be the best","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"MX64ROKLF5CIHDXOBKB6GYZYRE","auth":{"1":"42b4f9b40dd5b3fd2135c15cc19c2536d3574044a9f61e387385859488a7abcb"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MX64ROKLF5CIHDXOBKB6GYZYRE.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/28/denis-walsh-irish-sports-underdog-mentality-has-been-replaced-with-an-unabashed-hunger-to-be-the-best/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"OEWYAH5XHBAQZNAS6F4WZUCM6Q","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":978,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/d12d50e5-ca7e-4618-a92c-d60270c9ed21/versions/1734027032/media/3ea01cd39c409e225066a3aa27ac2a77_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/12/28/sports-speak-2024-the-wit-and-wisdom-from-damian-duff-to-daniel-wiffen-kellie-harrington-to-rory-mcilroy/","content_elements":[{"_id":"5UQ6A4YNU5HFJDPPEP7CEAWO74","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500673},"content":"<b>January</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"6LBNJ6QYI5H6HLQJ7FDSC6D66Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500674},"content":"“I realised that my resources are not endless . . . we are not young rabbits any more and we don’t jump as high as we did.” <b>Jurgen Klopp catching Liverpool fans on the hop by announcing that he would be leaving them at the end of the season.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6DRIGB35TJFKRISDKILS77O4SE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500675},"content":"“I honestly wish it was my wife leaving me and not Jurgen.” <b>A soon-to-be single Liverpool-supporting caller to talkSPORT after Klopp’s announcement.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"UASL2OHS4RDEJGXVXZJXSO3GEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500676},"content":"“I enjoyed that, I really did. I started the week feeling a bit rough but I bought myself an air fryer and started eating a bit better.” <b>Ronnie O’Sullivan after finding his inner Ninja in his comeback against Judd Trump in the World Grand Prix final.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IG4SJIREXMAX2QZYP6GNHJUDHQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"XTSRY7QKJFBNBNLADMBHGOXOOI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VABLY446JNCGVGXZBMKCN3FZOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500677},"content":"“I just wake up, play on my Xbox, have some food, have a chuck at the board, go to bed and that’s it.” <b>Luke Littler on his life before reaching the World Darts Championship final at the age of just sixteen. It’s changed a fair bit since then.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EM4XEHFYAJHF5CJ2CGEF2NC2QY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500678},"content":"<b>February</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"DALWHI4CMFASVKNBYLFK6H7HMY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500679},"content":"“Speaking from experience, when you have a barnet like that, you have got to play well – and my God, did that boy play well.” <b>Brian O’Driscoll doffing his cap to Joe McCarthy (and his hair-do) after his most excellent Six Nations display in the victory over France in Marseille.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"5Z5IOKAZP5HLPGZ63ZWVORSR2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500680},"content":"“I’m in awe of Willie Mullins. He’s at the top of his profession and has been for over a decade. Some people are suggesting he should be restricted. Well, you don’t tell Taylor Swift to stop releasing albums so that other people can win the Grammys.” <b>Jane Mangan salutes trainer Willie Mullins and his crop of Swiftie horses.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"XCCQOSTHUFAZXEPGKQSASZCWS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500681},"content":"“I stopped someone following me in to the toilet the other day. They were like, `oh, can I get a photo?’, and I was like, `yeah, but do you mind if you wait for a bit?’.” <b>And this was before Daniel Wiffen won his Olympic medals. They’re probably snapping him at the urinal this weather.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"4KD245WDCRCU7PSPRQJSKWEJSA","additional_properties":{"_id":"E34PQLGEJJEZDKYBKS6WRXIXVE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"42EAPKULOVBO7I2HAC7FOHHSQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500682},"content":"“How do I word this? Maybe through someone through someone through someone, someone asked me would I be interested in speaking to someone.” <b>Damien Duff on whether the FAI contacted him about becoming Stephen Kenny’s successor during their interminable search for one. That was a definitely maybe.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JXNRDRQSW5GQDDOG5HBN276ATI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500683},"content":"<b>March</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WM5ZP2JSR5HGBEZBH52OC62JNQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"CH4SVKW76RDGLN3EEADQ4PLDGE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"R6AW4JAT3FH4LMJEN6Q7UY263U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500684},"content":"“She’s such an incredible rider. As good as she is everywhere else, she’s even better here. We’ve had some incredible days.” <b>Trainer Henry De Bromhead after Rachael Blackmore rode Captain Guinness to victory in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Having already won the Gold Cup and two Champion Hurdles, that secured Blackmore the third jewel in the festival’s crown.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KDZJWSARQJBVNCUKTKB3E7UVSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500686},"content":"“We unknowingly used a divisive expression. We deeply regret this error and apologise to those we have offended.” <b>MLS club Minnesota United after signing off their announcement about hosting St Patrick’s Athletic in a friendly with: “Tiocfaidh Ár Lá.”</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QQCCO757TZBDFN5L7ZNZORHO3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500688},"content":"“I have a poster of Novak on my wall. Every night I go to bed, I see him. He’s the best player ever. I will keep this moment with me for the rest of my life.” <b>Luca Nardi, the 20-year-old Italian who, when ranked 123 in the world, beat his poster boy Novak Djokovic at the Indian Wells Open.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"S27OLOOZUJAN5ANSJWBG2UNYUM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500690},"content":"“I told John that I’ll chase balls into the bushes or go look at players, whatever he needs. I’m delighted he feels I’ve something to contribute after all these years.” B<b>rian Kerr on returning to the Republic of Ireland set-up as a technical adviser to interim manager John O’Shea, 19 years after he was the gaffer himself.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MC3XVODHZBADJAKC3NGARAOCNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500692},"content":"April","type":"header"},{"_id":"GXK3PURBAFBTDODU7OTN7I7I4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500693},"content":"“He’s transformed the club from a place when they had people like me playing for them – that’s how bad it was.” <b>Peter Crouch saluting Jurgen Klopp as he closed in on his final game in charge of Liverpool.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"J3U5QVLBYMZTBUY47Z5ZYRJJQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"SZR4O5D3SFCUBGJPHPEBAK2H2I"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ID2KSA6BD5GQ3H5ILQUESI747E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500695},"content":"“I sort of liken it to when Northern Ireland went through the peace process. Catholics weren’t happy, Protestants weren’t happy, but it brought peace and then you just sort of learn to live with whatever has been negotiated.” <b>Rory McIlroy reckoning that a Good Friday agreement is needed to resolve the LIV v PGA war.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"4PBWKJK6HJCFZOYMUCFYZNFGYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500697},"content":"“Bristol Rovers Football Club would like to apologise for any offence caused by an error in wording in a recent communication. No harmful intention of meaning was ever intended.” <b>That “error”? “We will provide all disabled fans with free electronic ticket cards upon request. As for normal fans and older fans, they can purchase the card for £15.” Oh my.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"7R5BH7LYTJHZJNRDUNZZ6WYIUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500699},"content":"“He’s an intellectual earthquake that transforms itself into this athletic majesty. It’s not bomb and gouge, it’s laser-guided missiles that you’re watching here.” <b>Brandel Chamblee swooning, as only Brandel Chamblee can, over Bryson DeChambeau’s opening round of 65 at the Masters. The missiles were misdirected thereafter, DeChambeau finishing nine shots behind winner Scottie Scheffler.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"3MZIPARJGRBPRMLB4K3VC3JNV4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500701},"content":"May","type":"header"},{"_id":"W3LUFJ2C4GGQ2YOWVODL5OSVNA","additional_properties":{"_id":"TTCPVJ3KONF6JBY5HCTOHWT4W4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"K4BENKEC2JA7TBIG7DXP6O22FM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500702},"content":"“We’re going in full guns blazing.” <b>An unfortunate enough turn of phrase from Northampton Saints’ Tommy Freeman ahead of the Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster in Croke Park, just after he and his team-mates were told about the stadium’s history.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"44EGDGSVLRGKRM7Q67ZM6BNDXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500704},"content":"“Bruce had to be played, I suppose. They had to dance in the dark up here for a couple of days but the pitch was the one to suffer.” <b>Wexford manager Keith Rossiter none too impressed with the state of the Nowlan Park surface a couple of weeks after senior hurler Springsteen played on it.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q5PLJKY3VRGE5LJHXKKO53F5VA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500706},"content":"“Clearly, there is something rotten in Irish rugby for its finest ambassadors to bend the knee whether at international level or in the Champions Cup. There is no question here of shooting at the ambulance. We greatly sympathise with Leo Cullen and his kids.” <b>French newspaper Midi Olympique offering a, eh, heartfelt hug to Leinster after that Champions Cup final defeat by Toulouse.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WWZPMTJQGNGVNAPD7ENY5ALEAQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500708},"content":"“I was pretty rattled to say the least. I was shaking the whole time. It was definitely a new feeling for me.” <b>Scottie Scheffler on that bizarre moment he was handcuffed and arrested outside Valhalla Golf Club ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship. He had mistakenly tried to drive past a police stop following an accident that resulted in the death of a spectator.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DBZIHCR4INGERNYH4R5FUY7N6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500710},"content":"June","type":"header"},{"_id":"HOVU7N57IREVXMZ3EATFREQEUE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500711},"content":"“I went out on that track today super nervous but with a plan and a mission and that was to hear Amhrán na bhFiann. When I was getting boxed in I thought I had nowhere to go, but I didn’t grow up playing camogie to get boxed in.” <b>Ciara Mageean doffing her cap to her first sporting love for helping her battle her way to European Championship gold in the 1500m.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"CITCKLFED5E6HIOHUAEXJHO6NU","additional_properties":{"_id":"6TUG4RZ55VHD5ATNMXQ35T6K64"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6VKCSB65PRBENL5XNI2BHS6RX4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500713},"content":"“The Picasso of the radio.” <b>Tomás Ó Sé's tribute to Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh who died at the age of 93 in June.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"XAM2H2HQLRF7ZBVJYB3V5Y4HMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500715},"content":"“If it was an old dog, the GAA would be telling us that good old hurling was being taken to live on a lovely farm in the country, while texting the local vet about having it put to sleep.” <b>How happy was Dónal Óg Cusack with the GAA’s promotion of his beloved game? Not a lot.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"HBSSMOWJ55HHVP7UFWCXVQO554","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500717},"content":"“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer. But I’ve shown my resilience over and over again and I will again.” <b>Rory McIlroy on that crushing conclusion to the US Open, three bogeys in his final four holes handing the title to Bryson DeChambeau.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WKIOT73JRFE4DE55R7BBM6WJ4U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500719},"content":"July","type":"header"},{"_id":"MKRI45KNZJCRBGOGVHZE4JCVXU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500720},"content":"“It’s nearly destroying it talking about it, we should just shut up and watch.” <b>Dónal Óg Cusack calling for silence from the RTÉ panel so they could just quietly marvel at Tony Kelly’s other-worldly All Ireland final goal for Clare.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KQKABSSXLBGKTOLK63U22TWTMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500722},"content":"“What can I say? We’re All-Ireland champions and Olympic gold medallists – what a great county!” <b>Daniel Wiffen on Armagh striking gold twice in the space of three days thanks to himself and their footballers.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IYILG65UKVG3XOID32HNPMH4RI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500724},"content":"“I’d rather ate cowshite. Don’t let him near the place.” <b>Former Galway goalkeeper James Skehill somewhat ruling out working with Davy Fitzgerald if Fitzgerald was appointed boss of his county. (He wasn’t, he took over Antrim instead).</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"75NAMY4RAXU2VVZIUMGSHVMJLA","additional_properties":{"_id":"3HDPPMFF3VCO5MWSMCSKOXGXJQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"XXRGTRMUBVBHZFDGUVP2NECSGU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500726},"content":"“My brother texted me and said, ‘if 14-year-old Kellie had thought she’d be here now she probably never would have believed it’. I forwarded the message to my mam. She said, “No, you’re right, you were a little shit back then! Still a little shit now but you have two Olympic medals!’ <b>Kellie Harrington on her loving messages from home after guaranteeing herself at least a bronze in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FLR3EELDGRARDCIVBV5NASTHEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500728},"content":"“Days like this felt a very long way away. I started crying on the podium, it’s just unbelievable, it’s the pinnacle of sport to have all your hard work pay off in something like this.” <b>Mona McSharry on her bronze in the Olympic 100m breaststroke final, not even her goggles filling up with water could thwart her.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ECZBYYRMCBC7RPVMKO63MHMGWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500730},"content":"August","type":"header"},{"_id":"4VFRHXBLGZDWVNM5OYLBZETWLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500731},"content":"“It feels like a dream, but it’s a dream well earned. If I fell on my bum today, I still would have loved this journey, every second of it. But I didn’t and today I’m walking away with an Olympic gold medal.” <b>Rhys McClenaghan on his golden day in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"R6U7HGITEVC47N6PEIU3VLO3QU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500733},"content":"“The first impression is that they are really good team players, really good characters… maybe a little bit too nice. Sometimes you need a bastard in your team. I am looking for him. Maybe we can develop him.” <b>New Republic of Ireland gaffer Heimir Hallgrímsson on the hunt for a ruffian in green.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MCEA264IB5DPJPHYKBPVM7PDCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500735},"content":"“It was really hard because we couldn’t really focus on the race. We had to focus on not swallowing water. I saw some brown things…. I hope it’s not what I thought it was.” <b>Hungarian marathon swimmer Bettina Fabian on the joys of taking to the Seine at the Olympics.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"N2FJPDQT7NAVJAEIBOCZVD36WI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500737},"content":"“That’s it, done, dusted, there are no more mountains to climb. I’ve nothing more to prove, not even to myself, which is the most important thing. The next chapter is going to be my life chapter.” <b>Kellie Harrington signing out in some style, as a two-time Olympic champion.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NGIOIAGK3JGJLNISWXCGSIFBVA","additional_properties":{"_id":"JIQYMFB2AFE23EXG6URNHNYN4A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"EHSIU2ENLZCSNF2WOGYZ4FGIWU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500739},"content":"“Seventh? Yeah, something like that. But I think I was dragged along by other people for most of them.” <b>Boastful as ever, Paul O’Donovan loses count of how many World Championship golds he’s won – it was number seven in Canada along with Fintan McCarthy, just three weeks after he became the first Irish athlete to medal in three successive Olympics.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULRTTU76T5F2NGD5HRVRKLNSEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500741},"content":"September","type":"header"},{"_id":"XPOZMGNMCJDXLA6466SNYDDDQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500742},"content":"“I had a little cry in the call room. It’s a really emotional day, this is coming to an end. Winnie the Pooh said it best when he said, ‘how lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard’.” <b>Ellen Keane on ending a sparkling swimming career at the Paralympics in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JPPJH77NJX7D5MB3YJ3D7U2TZE","additional_properties":{"_id":"K7TWUHM5KZANZEI4JXLMVDHQ3Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AIV27MRA5JCEFLVDTVCRQ56A4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500744},"content":"“Lee Carsley needs to zone out of his Irish republicanism and learn to sing God Save the King. Otherwise, no one will believe he cares about the England team he wishes to lead.” <b>Renowned football pundit Jacob Rees-Mogg getting hot under the collar after Carsley, 2024′s Wolfe Tone and England’s interim coach, revealed that he’s not an anthem singer.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G2UUONRMTZHTBDVXCPOYMYRRHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500746},"content":"“Why didn’t you win the gold?” <b>Rower Daire Lynch, who won Olympic bronze with Philip Lynch, on the first question he was asked by youngsters on his tour of his native Clonmel’s schools. Harsh.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZJ7TQAZZZFA3VOLC3GKLLNAGHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500748},"content":"“I couldn’t work out whether Ireland are more similar to Andorra, San Marino or the Faroe Islands.” T<b>ony Cascarino a touch unimpressed by Ireland in their 2-0 defeat by England in Dublin. To be honest, he probably ended up offending Andorra, San Marino and the Faroe Islands.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"PK774ZLTLRCSBKR3JTNXC56OPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500750},"content":"October","type":"header"},{"_id":"I3Z2NTMN7JH4HLTPQEYSCFUWTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500751},"content":"“This is a guy that was all man. When he took showers with the other pros, they came out of there and said, ‘oh my God, that’s unbelievable!’” <b>Donald Trump telling his supporters at a rally in Arnold Palmer’s Pennsylvania home town about the magnitude of the late golfer’s, em, manhood. Why? No clue.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FN7V4DT2U5BRNKAPAYNHWFHD44","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500753},"content":"“How can a foreigner urge Englishmen to do or die on football’s battlefield…. rouse the troops like King Henry V when he implored his men: ‘On, on unto the breach dear friends or let close the wall up with our English dead.’ This is a dark day for English football.” <b>The Daily Mail’s Jeff Powell welcoming the appointment of German Thomas Tuchel as England gaffer.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"VFSSPZLWSJGPRDCPLPPNL2LY3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500755},"content":"“My maths wouldn’t be great, so I was struggling to figure out what the score was.” <b>Man of the match Rian O’Neill admitting that he had no clue whether Ulster were winning or losing to Connacht in the final of the interprovincial series thanks to the rule-tweaking two-point arc and four-point goal.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QU7R4EKK5SKCTFQT4ZVHUDIVBY","additional_properties":{"_id":"NXQKIDCIR5AVHJUBNQ7YUVE3PI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZDJKX25XDRAZRHUDO3IW2CJE24","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500757},"content":"“My conker was obliterated in one hit, and that just doesn’t happen – I’m suspicious of foul play.” <b>Alastair Johnson-Ferguson suggesting that 82-year-old David ‘King Conker’ Jakins might have used a steel nut to win their World Championships final. Jakins was indeed found with one in his pocket, but happily he was cleared of actually using it to obliterate anyone’s nut.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BLLOB3DSGBHPHCERQGDQYJHZAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500759},"content":"“I’ve had many challenges growing up, I think that just made me very resilient. A broken collarbone and illness? I was like, ‘oh, I’ve gone through much worse than this’. When you stand on that top step of the podium, you forget about all the bad times, they just melt away.” <b>Katie-George Dunlevy reflecting on a September that saw her win … deep breath… Paralympic gold with Linda Kelly, Paralympic silvers with Kelly and Eve McCrystal, and two World Championship golds with Kelly.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EA2VBIZ4XRGSTMZWV2P2VB6D6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500761},"content":"November","type":"header"},{"_id":"4RO3GRGMDNBNPN4E6HAIJA4QCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500762},"content":"“It is amazing, a letter addressed to “Pat the b******s, County Kerry” posted in Armagh arrived in the door. It just goes to show how good the postal service is in Ireland.” <b>Pat Spillane saluting his postman for somehow delivering a love letter from up north.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BY2PEG5KQNASNJJJ6ZHFFYSBLY","additional_properties":{"_id":"2QKZGCRB35EJPPLDSNTOFK3WRE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VBHGFM7KOVF7DOBFFU4UIXDKTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500764},"content":"“Congratulations to Katie Taylor. Tempers are flared when you’re in the heat of battle and you say things you shouldn’t say. She and I are cool outside the ring and the best dance partners in it. Whenever our teams can agree on a trilogy, I’ll be ready.” <b>Amanda Serrano withdrawing her allegation that Taylor intentionally head-butted her during their fight for the ages in Texas. Round three coming up?</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PQKSPC54FHSTPXBJDZJ3BPSYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500766},"content":"“He has a Boost, a meal deal, a curry and a couple of those little half pink and half white sweets – Squashies – and he walks up there and smashes me like that. This boy is a joke. He is absolutely awesome.” <b>Martin Lukeman on the darts sensation that is Luke Littler after the 17-year-old beat him 16-3 in the Grand Slam of Darts final.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"R5WWLF2UZFA7VENUUQEFYLW3WE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500768},"content":"“It’s not done and dusted yet. Things can change very quickly in the Keane household, let me tell you.” R<b>oy Keane on being asked about his “future son-in-law” Taylor Harwood-Bellis after he scored against Ireland on his debut in England’s 5-0 win at Wembley.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBBKGY3ZI5E2BNWXVW4BC3AVFU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500770},"content":"December","type":"header"},{"_id":"L6HBXQPBKJFBTIJ5ZF2L4M7M24","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500771},"content":"“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but Leinster are up there with the National Children’s Hospital for returns on investment – no one has seen anything.” <b>Donncha O’Callaghan being a touch naughty about Leinster’s European woes.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KZB2PFJMBVD6PBMWNIQOMTUJZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500773},"content":"“Dessie has always been like a second father to me. It’s like breaking up with someone. There were two days of tears. There was a week of carnage. The dust is settled now. Life moves on and the world spins, and you’re out.” <b>Dublin legend Brian Fenton on breaking the news to manager Dessie Farrell that he was retiring from intercounty football.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DFLRN5BM2FIR7Y56UDJJ5NG7OU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZWH25BXQVRHQLNH3WT26UKQ7H4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HO3CXD3YV5FQNPT43OQW7LXPNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500775},"content":"“I remember when teams started warming up on the field before a match and Willie Duggan turned around to me and said, ‘listen, I can do the warm-up or I can play the match, but I couldn’t do both’. It’s come a long way.” <b>Donal Lenihan on rugby before all this training intensity lark.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"X5FW3ZXF25DXLNJUP3ZAV5PGTQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500777},"content":"“I drove here with my dad beside me and he kept looking down at me with no trousers on. Mam was in the back with the needle and thread.” <b>Damien Duff completing a memorable year by splitting his pants en route to the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers awards where he won the Personality of the Year gong. Mercifully, his Mam had mended them by the time he took to the stage.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The winning quotes of the year in sport"},"display_date":"2024-12-28T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"The year in sports quotes: The wit and wisdom - from Damien Duff to Daniel Wiffen, Kellie Harrington to Rory McIlroy","native":"The year in sports quotes: 'I wish it was my wife leaving me and not Jurgen'"},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"DA4ZQGRCJKYZYEYL3D2LJL3XSU","auth":{"1":"801519a89ae0021fbd58aacd87d7db63523e392a7aca59af3670df8f27529ff0"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/DA4ZQGRCJKYZYEYL3D2LJL3XSU.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/12/28/sports-speak-2024-the-wit-and-wisdom-from-damian-duff-to-daniel-wiffen-kellie-harrington-to-rory-mcilroy/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/soccer","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Soccer"}}}},{"_id":"BT2Y52F465ADNLYZF65OWCPTRQ","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":464,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/97785bfe-3dbe-400b-a5b0-d748dd018b8f/versions/1734973228/media/75985a8960081d6f9f0a09d3466626b9_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/26/four-of-irelands-top-five-most-admired-sports-people-2024-are-women/","content_elements":[{"_id":"OEH2J7WYDBBNTIXI6NBRCRHQ44","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082414},"content":"This year delivered incredible performances across the board in Irish sport, but it was our female athletes in particular who provided so many of the standout moments and achievements.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PYMSEIEQYBEYDER55YVM6FSJ2Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082415},"content":"Significant history was made over the past 12 months. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a> was the first Irish woman athlete to win back-to-back gold medals at <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic Games</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> was the first Irish woman to make an Olympic sprint final, claiming an incredible fourth place. Ireland’s 4 x 400m relay team obliterated their national record to claim silver in the European Championships in June, qualify for the Olympic final and claim fourth place there. Incredible, inspiring performances – which have come to be expected by the Irish public.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2S4E5ONOFFCVHDTIKRWLZQZBBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082416},"content":"These performances, and many more, have been clearly recognised in the annual <a href=\"https://sportforbusiness.com/team-ireland-and-katie-taylor-top-teneo-public-survey-2024/#:~:text=The%20TSSI%20is%20a%20comprehensive,sport%20and%20their%20sporting%20heroes.\" target=\"_blank\">Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index</a> (TSSI). This 1,000-person, nationally representative piece of research has been exploring Irish people’s attitudes towards sport and sponsorship for 15 years and has had a particular focus on women’s sport since 2018.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EXNQ3S2BTBACZAKTOU5QSYKMPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082417},"content":"Women athletes claim four of the top five spots when it comes to our “most admired” athletes in 2024. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a>’s dominance at the top continues; she occupies the number one spot for the eighth year in a row, having garnered 15 per cent of the vote.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GUNYPF4CRBFRNFXLHPSJ7FYHLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082418},"content":"The person who looks most likely to topple her in the coming years is Adaleke, who is Ireland’s second most admired athlete (11 per cent) followed closely by Harrington (10 per cent). Adaleke is a new entry to the top five, and with the most votes from 18-24 year-olds, her popularity is clearly on the rise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3LPYW7YS5BFSRNJDLKEHM53ZZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"VJ6TO4ECSFGNDGTFHNEEZMNC3Q"},"content":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"HUJMK5LMTVBWPFSMSQ2N6UODYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082419},"content":"Rachael Blackmore continues to make her mark; she is in fifth place, on 5 per cent of the vote. These athletes’ performances over the last 12 months have been world class, regardless of their gender, and Irish people recognise this.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKFQUFXVJJGJVDN5DGHI4JU2YA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082420},"content":"Appreciation for our female athletes because of their sporting achievements is also evident in other areas. Katie McCabe (3 per cent) is our most admired footballer, with Evan Ferguson following her closely on 2 per cent, while Leona Maguire is Ireland’s joint-second favourite golfer with Shane Lowry (2 per cent) – our favourite being Rory McIlroy (3 per cent).","type":"text"},{"_id":"5C4QDYYDNRC55AEZL5Y4O6XW2U","additional_properties":{"_id":"BRS3CUSOLFDDNOWXK35CBZPGAY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"4BXCPARIIZFW3OXIAC2OT3ACTI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082421},"content":"When looking at Team of the Year, the Irish Women’s 4 x 400m relay team were voted third favourite (14 per cent) and the Irish women’s rugby team were recognised in fifth place following their qualification for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and famous win over New Zealand.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UJDQ24ZA6BBL3ADMHK2EPEYC6E","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082422},"content":"These results show that Irish people recognise and admire sportspeople for their achievements, and these achievements in 2024 certainly have a female bias.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NMVVGCBGTNC7VOMZJRJI6FTKEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082423},"content":"Media and attendance","type":"header"},{"_id":"PIUYF5INZNCVRJQO53I6P2XULM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082424},"content":"These athletes have commanded significant media coverage for their performances, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games dominating both the news and sports-news cycles for much of the summer. RTÉ figures show that the most viewed Olympic events were the finals that included Kellie Harrington, with a peak of 1.4 million viewers, and Rhasidat Adeleke, with a peak viewership of 926,000.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7OKW6X5P7CMFEYBO7WO2DWI4CU","additional_properties":{"_id":"TVE3EXEMW5GBBOCV3PNDVQ6U2E"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PXGSPJOWBRBZNC3POZ4IKCCGVU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082425},"content":"Even with these significant viewership figures, the number of those who said they watched a female sporting event either on TV or online has remained fairly static year-on-year, with 55 per cent saying they did so in 2024, a slight decrease on 2023, which was at 59 per cent.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GH3CGD4YVVB6BFUWO57S3VKGUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082426},"content":"A concern consistently raised by Irish people is around sports coverage, with only 43 per cent saying women’s sport received sufficient media coverage in 2024, although three-quarters say that both the quality and volume has improved in the past 12 months. It is an area that needs constant monitoring and awareness, but things are going in the right direction.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z5QE2AL7BBFENDH7VNZJKQ4ILQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082427},"content":"When it comes to attending in person, again the numbers are much the same year-on-year – this time last year almost a quarter of people said they intended to go to a women’s sports event in person while the reality was that 16 per cent of people did. This jumps to 24 per cent for those aged 35-44, which is the cohort who attended female sports events the most, and by a significant margin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A7W4Y7N6V5DSHN3BZHL6GXYAXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082428},"content":"We have seen major women’s sports events incorporate other types of entertainment to enhance the product – Tom Grennan performing at the AIG Women’s Open being a good example of this. But, when the question was asked about what else would encourage Irish people to attend a women’s sports event one in three, which was the majority, said they wanted to attend “only for the sport”. Discounted ticket prices, which we can see in the likes of the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States, would add extra motivation to one in four people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XC5645CLHFGSTFVTXCNAY5W32I","additional_properties":{"_id":"WRQCTZXIIVA57LGXKWUVSDZCBI"},"content":"The top 25 women’s sporting moments of the year: top spot revealed with Katie Taylor, Rhasidat Adeleke and Kellie Harrington featuring","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"F3AZPK4BNNH7REA5FFW22VBPA4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082429},"content":"Another clear sign to me of the progress being made regarding women’s sport is the Women’s Uefa European Championships being in the top five events that Irish people are most looking forward to next year, even though we aren’t competing in it. This again shows that Irish sports fans appreciate and recognise high performance sport, regardless of the gender.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RSRF44CJUVDD7AADBA6CBRSOS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082430},"content":"Gender balance in leadership","type":"header"},{"_id":"AGSJHPEOVZA4RGDS5RPSAPLXIM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082431},"content":"Those at the top of their game are making a significant mark; breaking boundaries and inspiring generations of boys and girls. A significant amount of work has been put in, particularly by organisations such as Sport Ireland, to ensure these athletes have the right environments and resources to excel. But what about those leading the various sports in Ireland?","type":"text"},{"_id":"HS2GM3JLMJG5ZJMVV5G7VM34EQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082432},"content":"Sport Ireland achieved a significant objective in 2024 with the overall percentage of women on boards in the Irish sports sector standing at 48 per cent in December. While this demonstrates that Sport Ireland and the Government’s approach has worked, the next important step will be maintaining this level into the future.","type":"text"},{"_id":"62CBBBJQJVHKVNKBXZZAEEHLYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082433},"content":"In order to do this I believe it is important that women put themselves forward for voluntary positions at grassroots level so that they can progress through the boards, committees and systems which ultimately lead to leadership positions at provincial and national levels.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PP4CGF6V5VCZBBPKKSHQM5JAUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082434},"content":"As it stands our research shows that currently only 16 per cent of women volunteer, compared to almost a quarter of men. This figure needs to change if we are to maintain the ambition of meaningful gender balance on boards at a national level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZFHZTO7HKFBTRNQHCNKVXPKSB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082435},"content":"The primary motivations for women volunteering are to support their club in its development and growth (54 per cent), to give back to their community (48 per cent) and because their children are involved (43 per cent). It is imperative that those who are volunteering because of their children are motivated to stay on even when their children have graduated.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PPRTFYGDCVAQBFKAU56TKFIRGE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082436},"content":"Our elite athletes and their outstanding performances on the world stage in 2024 have had a large impact on Irish sport, not just Irish female sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZYBEEPD4LNF27KFH546ADUBJ7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082437},"content":"Attendance at and media coverage of women’s sporting events continue to need attention but with the Irish system producing world-class athletes there is no doubt that these areas will change for the better.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MVA7CM6WEFEU3MM52WYZB77I2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082438},"content":"This, coupled with gender balance in leadership of our sports organisations, means that women’s sport in Ireland is on solid ground and the future for all involved and those they are inspiring is very exciting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Kelli O'Keeffe"}]},"description":{"basic":"Survey shows big performances mark major milestones in a historic year for women in Irish sport"},"display_date":"2024-12-26T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Four of Ireland’s top five most admired sports people in 2024 are women","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"IDQX2YMNI5GQCQRS3AAMZYGC64","auth":{"1":"9850d1433a0fe2a6c6b5516f4057a180d28aebddb0c54ad7f71d2390da8b607c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IDQX2YMNI5GQCQRS3AAMZYGC64.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic 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into his whereabouts failures for which he was already suspended for two years earlier this year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7WXVCFZXL5GVHPUW4AO2MF4PHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254361},"content":"Katir had admitted to three whereabouts failures during 2023.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HVEHBKA7BFCM5KZ5EFDYZT3HHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254362},"content":"Under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s “whereabouts” rule, all athletes must make themselves available to drug testers for one hour a day for out-of-competition testing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AS35QUDIMZB3RO7VS3G6SVN67Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254363},"content":"Under the World Athletics anti-doping rules, three whereabouts failures within 12 months result in a rule violation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HL6GXLSCOZFQ3AEAPFZT5SMZT4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254364},"content":"The 26-year-old, who won the silver medal in the 5,000m at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/world-athletics-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">World Athletics Championships </a>last year, will serve both bans concurrently, extending his ineligibility to compete until February 2028.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PYCYRGDSIBGZDNOO6KQ5YRVLR4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254365},"content":"“Katir ... was found to have falsified travel documents [namely a travel itinerary, boarding pass and booking confirmation] in an attempt to mislead investigators,” said the AIU.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VCNFOXLDKNEXHGR6DGWIZH6FJA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254366},"content":"However, the disciplinary tribunal that ruled in the case denied the AIU’s request to have Katir’s results disqualified from March 9th, 2023, because he had not benefited from a competitive advantage, the statement added.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FXHHAODQS5BRHIZZD5Z5DWD53I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734719254367},"content":"“The vast majority of our elite athletes respect the strict rules and processes of the sport and they should take heart at the action being taken to ensure a level playing field,” said AIU chief Brett Clothier. — Reuters","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"Winner of silver medal in 5,000m at World Athletics Championships last year to serve both bans concurrently"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T19:00:22.242Z","headlines":{"basic":"Four-year ban for Mohamed Katir after falsifying papers in whereabouts-failure 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journey through the past year, especially, has been hugely satisfying for so many of Ireland’s elite sportswomen and the final few steps – fittingly enough, climbing red-carpeted steps into the Shelbourne Hotel in the heart of Dublin city – had that sort of glitz and glamour far removed from the punishing training regimes of blood, sweat and tears that brought many such honour.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VE4X4TMHMFGGVIUBGL3QH4GPOM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199713},"content":"So it was that those on their final Friday of Christmas shopping or preparing for a long lunch or later nights stopped and stared. Mobile cameras were raised. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie</a>. Ciara. Mona. Louise. First names that have found a way into the heart and soul of Irish sporting life through their deeds in the ring, on the track, in the pool, on the pitch. Fingers pointing at them, shouts of recognition from women and men, girls and boys stopped in tracks.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2BSNHXKJLFGLTJONTU5IT5KXLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199714},"content":"The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Awards were celebrating a 20th year since its inspired conception and the mood inside the old ballroom of the hotel was festive and celebratory with those honoured rightly enjoying their moments, a time to acknowledge and be acknowledged with mutual respect from one sportswoman to another.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EAHJ6KQJF5ECJHDNYGUMXEOOQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199715},"content":"“The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled, there is greatness everywhere,” is how Master of Ceremonies Des Cahill of RTÉ informed one and all of those present.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YFPSXHHPZZFLHMTGUMWNHNNZNE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199716},"content":"Some, unfortunately, couldn’t make it. But there were good reasons. Swimmer <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/roisin-ni-riain/\" target=\"_blank\">Róisín Ní Riain</a>, the double medallist at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paralympics</a>, had a college exam. Sevens rugby player Lucy Mulhall is on honeymoon. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a> was unable to attend. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> was away with her sister Latifah.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RK7PPOED2PZTJ4RVG6PPDAC6QQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"QG3GW5KDBJCJDBX63VPCUPIMME"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZCTORDJOLFHYXIAVOFBIXMYFQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199717},"content":"But Rhasidat’s mother, an emotional Ade, stole the show in accepting the monthly award for May on behalf of her daughter and of her pride, while revealing the heartache of seeing her daughter come so close – fourth – to a medal at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/Paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympics</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULQZXTAK4ZFCJKH44GPQKSB7Y4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199718},"content":"“Can you feel the love?” Des asked her.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GRSZZHPOQ5CSLBBQYM6LGJ5MKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199719},"content":"“I know,” she replied, the tears coming.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6GKSYUC4FDP3EV222GNXIWYRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199720},"content":"“I’m sorry, I don’t have a tissue,” whispered Des.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BVX7UD7X35G57MMZECQZ5DM7RI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199721},"content":"Silence, though, was a rare commodity on the day that was in it with Olympic double medallist Kellie Harrington showing the way in whooping and hollering as European 1,500 metres champion <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a> was called to collect her June award for her magnificent victory in Rome.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPT5IX5OURH5LCZSBG32ANGP5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"JLUKWD6ERJAQ3JHJWMI7KP7YEM"},"content":"Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"U2ULH525ONEUDLA2HMOICL3YXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199722},"content":"Ciara was one of the very few who hadn’t donned high heels. Having undergone surgery on her ankle three months ago, the more comfortable – and sensible – option of trainers were the Co Down star’s choice of footwear.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6KTHEXA2MZFEBPILSBHFMSC5EI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199723},"content":"First things first, however, Ciara – following Ade to the stage – spoke through the crowds and the round tables to Rhasidat’s mother.","type":"text"},{"_id":"23H6SZXBVFC33FBEX7MKYX3HNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199724},"content":"“I can sit here as a 32-year-old athlete and say that Rhadisat is so young and we all know the future that she has in the sport, it is so bright so I know that even when my spikes are hung up I am going to be watching her bringing medals home,” said Mageean, to widespread roars of approval from those gathered.","type":"text"},{"_id":"G3C6LCKWENEIZGFFVEUDIASVHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199725},"content":"Of her own moment of glory in Rome, Mageean – who seems to have a smile permanently fixed to her face (unless, as Des reminded us, she’s pitchside at a hurling match!), revealed that it’s not all glamour. She’d to go for a drug test post-final and by the time she got out to her family the celebrations involved “cold pizza and a can of coke.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NO4CLR4J2YFZPPX4G4EIU4JR6I","additional_properties":{"_id":"IHMNYCN5YZHN5LXIYRUGEMRXWE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BAC6PKGAABBBXLBEZDTBNMUB4Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199726},"content":"Mageean has moved back home to Ireland and has no plans to hang up the spikes just yet, as she revealed: “I am looking forward to this next chapter on Irish soil. I have my eyes firmly set on getting ready for the World Championships in the summer and another four year cycle towards LA (for the 2028 Olympics).”","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6ZSHMO2ZFBCXFMSFJTVNMT34U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199727},"content":"Katie Taylor couldn’t make it but another Katie – the legendary <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> – certainly was, in a year of years where she overcame a shattered shoulder blade to recover and win Paralympic and World gold medals in taking the award for September. If that was a great year, it was made even better in being named along with her pilots Linda Kelly and Eve McCrystal as the recipients of the Team of the Year award.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BULCGU3XDBFJFOOM3OLEE7FBDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199728},"content":"The broad range of sportswomen excelling on the international stage is, surely, quite extraordinary. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rachael-blackmore/\" target=\"_blank\">Rachael Blackmore</a>’s win in the Champions Chase at Cheltenham – her mother Eimir revealed she’d gone to the restrooms and put on the hand drier so she couldn’t hear the race, only emerging for the final few fences – added to her great career CV, while Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh’s brilliance in the Kerry jersey in leading her side to the All-Ireland title after 31 years was celebrated in her August award.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4KMXIWN65VHRLOGJ62Z5RDOQ5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199729},"content":"“Gorta mór,” said Louise of the time away from the Brendan Martin Cup.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FMUMQL3EQJEBPK5547JHZGUM44","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199730},"content":"This, for sure, was another celebration of Irish sportswomen where, it seems, the bar is raised ever higher each year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C72HGQKSS5CHDPUYTD7A6BW2PQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199731},"content":"And in accepting her award as the Sportswoman of the Year, Harrington, another with a tear in her eye, had a special word for all of the mammies of Ireland. “Win, lose or draw, just keep on doing what you are doing (in encouraging daughters to achieve in sport) ... because it’s great!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Philip Reid"}},"name":"Philip Reid"}]},"description":{"basic":"Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2024"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T18:03:06.099Z","headlines":{"basic":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"SSSW3LZ77BC3ZLSQ3WEWCGHWII","auth":{"1":"92ba5d2de7376199be3b6c4e82d180c82c3403294597350d54e3eb4d80419e5b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SSSW3LZ77BC3ZLSQ3WEWCGHWII.JPG"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/irish-times-sportswoman-of-the-year-awards-the-greatest-collection-of-women-in-irish-sport-in-one-place-ever-assembled/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"56EDKMB2IFG27BAV7NAIQY5YGM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":272,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/370675ba-4460-40f1-8019-ac01fc1a5cfd/versions/1734719946/media/32643e5ff13f768115172dd215c1a87e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/two-time-olympic-champion-kellie-harrington-named-irish-timessport-ireland-sportswoman-of-the-year-2024/","content_elements":[{"_id":"BTMNICXND5HEPLHQ4L65TCKRBY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Right to the very end of the year, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a> still had them out of their seats – this time after she was named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2024.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QIO2L7TILZA45OXPUQH7ELTE4I","additional_properties":{},"content":"When <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a> walked up to accept her monthly award an hour earlier, Harrington roared from the table, ‘Go Ciara.’ Game recognising game. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"IXSLN7OP3RFS3MRYRFTAUCWEDA","additional_properties":{},"content":"But who has had more game than Harrington in 2024? When she was announced as the overall winner those in the function room of The Shelbourne Hotel rose simultaneously.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MPU54ISDYVD4FDDVYP7MNS4DJE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mageean, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/mona-mcsharry/\" target=\"_blank\">Mona McSharry</a>, Sonia O’Sullivan, the great and the good. All spontaneously out of their chairs. Harrington is adjusting to life as a former boxer these days, but double <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic</a> champions don’t bow out unnoticed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VENCJ46V2NCIPHAACVDW7AKEIQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the lobby afterwards, one of the first people over for a photo was <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a>’s mam, Adewumi Ademola. They enveloped each other in a long, warm embrace beforehand. Others followed. Her achievements in Tokyo and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris</a> have set her apart. This is who Harrington is now, and forever will be, the Irish boxer who retained her Olympic gold medal. Unprecedented stuff.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YQZECB3RZVAMHINBTQWLQUTYHE","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Team of the Year award was won by Paralympic cyclists <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/linda-kelly/\" target=\"_blank\">Linda Kelly</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/eve-mccrystal/\" target=\"_blank\">Eve McCrystal</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UXP7HZ3FOY25SBWG7YM6RZMGUU","additional_properties":{"_id":"3RJFWYWCMBCYZLA6VF6QD5JS4U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BK23FAJ43NBDNOC4S54LEAWXZY","additional_properties":{},"content":"For Harrington, it has been a challenge adjusting to life outside the bubble of being an athlete. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"5622IAOBSZGOZCR3MVQJWUFGAI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Part of that is probably because I am usually so focused on what’s next,” she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R7QCJ45ETBBZ3EGGHVOLEBQLEE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And now I just don’t know, I’m in limbo land – I don’t know what I’m doing, I don’t know where I’m going, I don’t know who I am, I don’t know anything. I’m just taking the rest of this year off to enjoy doing nothing, and it feels so strange. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"CYEVYPKKPJH47N4FWUGBTK5OFU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It really feels so strange to not have to get up and go training, not to have to check my weight every morning, not to try and think of what things I want to work on in training.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZY67UUW46BGGHOEDZUZEUTS5AY","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I would be constantly always thinking about stuff like that, thinking about how I can get better, what’s that one per cent that I can work on today. But now it’s like, ‘What am I going to have for my breakfast today – will I have porridge or will I have a fry?’ I definitely miss it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2LJWW5JJKFGOHMH3C7HVDO5AHA","additional_properties":{},"content":"But to help with the transition, she has kept her eye in – popping out to Abbottstown to train in the high-performance unit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ENWLLUXAK64PWGKOJIVWGZIRGA","additional_properties":{"_id":"3YKAN46LXZHOVJRDG4MXEZN63Q"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VNDA6VLBPRBO5KRLMTST2B3YDY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Zaur Anita has even suggested she join the team when they travel to China in February, to help prepare the boxers with some sparring. She might. But there is no grá within her to become a coach. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"2ENKSH2L4NGXHGR7TDIGVOKMSU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I don’t think that’s me. I think if I was to go to a coaching role I’d probably lose my cool. But I do think there is something there that I have to give back, but I just don’t think it’s in a coaching role, not to the extent that is in the high performance.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MH6NYGFWFBESXDSNR4WXHDCMY4","additional_properties":{},"content":"She recently moved back to Portland Row with her wife Mandy, buying a house just a quick shuffle away from Harrington’s childhood home. They’ll be hosting Christmas dinner this year. Life moving on, as it should.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BACGUGQIEVCEDDTXWLJ52WEHUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"QLTQWYVTVNGDDCODYGBCYYYRQA"},"content":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"TVIE6YRCYZCPPL5DKOBEZDLAB4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I feel this is a new chapter for the two of us.” ","type":"text"},{"_id":"AB7ORZ5ANJE5VKDFGDVLIUP37U","additional_properties":{},"content":"But sport will remain an important part of her life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZJ4AWFXYB5DFZDGHC3NDGJPIQU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Every woman or man who get up in the morning and are trying to do something in sport, they are already winning because somebody is looking up to them, it could be their niece, nephew, cousin, their next-door neighbours’ kids – somebody is looking up to them. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"A2VQPDR3HVEHLFWTE6SOKB2R5A","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Whether you are winning on the field or the pitch or whatever, you are winning at life and that’s the most important thing.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7IWQDPLEXNF5TGIVITVBUOXYCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"5TONMUAWZNBHLCUAAZDRZUP2AQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GIEH224W4VCANMMHF5SRZUBS3A","additional_properties":{},"content":"It’s that same perspective that will see Harrington pull the front door behind her on Christmas Day for a few hours and travel the short distance to Fairview Hospital to punch in for work. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"OIKCYSXY2BDBJMX4HAFOJQU25A","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"AQEVZ4ITGBDN7C3P6WDCIR4XPE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“In the past I used to have the ward and I used to have all the patients in the ward and it would be absolutely magical. On Christmas Day I would bring them all in presents and we’d open them together, I just used to love it,” she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ESI3NYPEI5FBDCPFIQ3O7GXLVI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Work is not the same at the moment because the hospital is bit by bit closing down, all the patients on my ward have been moved to nursing homes. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"YIQILTOU25HB3IFDC2IK5QOUDE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“They are going to build a new hospital, so I’m holding out hope that I will still be there when they do build the new hospital and we’ll go back to the way it was on the ward with the patients. It won’t be the same patients, but I’ll still give them all the love that I have.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FOK2ZEUVMFARDEBYGTQYTOHCPQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"As Kellie Harrington found out in The Shelbourne on Friday, the love flows both ways.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"Olympians, paralympians, All-Ireland winners and more celebrated at annual awards in Dublin"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T15:23:13.504Z","headlines":{"basic":"Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"3WGEYMS3OVGNLEGBX7B3YR62XU","auth":{"1":"5a314a12da2be568d0316df7f8b96d3ce69e0834443189433278ec8e237eda1d"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/3WGEYMS3OVGNLEGBX7B3YR62XU.jpeg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/two-time-olympic-champion-kellie-harrington-named-irish-timessport-ireland-sportswoman-of-the-year-2024/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"DQAELRV525FLNFNQ7AIDGQABSI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":414,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/7cb2f2fa-9f55-4de9-bd5d-985fd8082241/versions/1734626899/media/6902c2c6c0c1cf0733d1abab16df061a_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/sportswoman-awards-preview-celebration-of-womens-achievements-hits-its-20th-year/","content_elements":[{"_id":"VECWODI5UJBCVBJ7WAJJFNCXSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075243},"content":"When we launched the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sportswoman-of-the-year-award/\" target=\"_blank\">Sportswoman of the Year</a> awards back in 2004, it’s arguable that just two of the people on the list of monthly winners, Sonia O’Sullivan and Cora Staunton, were household names.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CIMZZXJB3JEHVK6JGC3H6MHKQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075244},"content":"Fast forward to 2024 and our list of contenders for the overall award doesn’t just feature names well known to us, it’s sprinkled with some of the biggest stars in Irish sport – among them <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rachael-blackmore/\" target=\"_blank\">Rachael Blackmore</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E233IJNLSBCHJK6FALWWNJJKSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075245},"content":"That is, of course, a measure of the depth of their achievements, all of them once again treating us to unforgettable moments through the year, but it is also a sign that they are finally receiving the recognition they deserve.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6QYH7LQQSVH2NJQBCLIKRRNN5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075246},"content":"And that was our chief hope back in 2004 when the awards got under way, that they would help shine a light on the largely underreported feats of our sportswomen.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZAVDG7TX6ZHI5LB5M22D57Z5LI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075247},"content":"A lot done, more to do, as they say, but there has, undeniably, been progress – and how could there not be when these women have produced some of the most memorable moments in Irish sport over the last two decades?","type":"text"},{"_id":"VA6RJAUPE5ATLGK5XDTNTOZLF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075248},"content":"It’s been a thrill and a pleasure for us to report on their feats, a scroll through our list of overall winners a reminder of just how many magical days they have given us – from Katie Taylor’s gold in London, to Rachael Blackmore’s Grand National triumph, to Fiona Coghlan captaining Ireland to a Grand Slam, to Kellie Harrington retaining her Olympic title. Days we’ll never forget.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RVZTYY6NORCATLFMIPSOP2XE3U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075249},"content":"In all, 147 sportswomen have won monthly awards through the years, and at least a dozen more deserved one in 2024, but such was the quality of the list of contenders, our judges were spoilt for choice.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QV7F42OHB5EVVITCLUWGKFCA54","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075250},"content":"Here’s to another 20 years of such excellence, and many more magical moments. We won’t be short of them, we can be sure. – <b>Noel O’Reilly, Sports Editor</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JX56IFAQ5FBWTIHNVH4JYBKJ7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075251},"content":"<b>Monthly Winners</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WUWEDV6HXBFWNPITNI7JL3GQHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739017},"content":"<b>December – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Fionnuala McCormack</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"YYSLDJLZ45AXNCYWJPXA2PFRMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739018},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NCJAXYVN3YQMOTINXHHQDEG64U","additional_properties":{"_id":"CBOHHTXE4VBJJMEQF5HTEN5UYI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PP3PX62OWRHEFEYFLXSYD2UHK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739019},"content":"It was in December of last year that McCormack became the first Irish woman to qualify for a fifth successive Olympic Games when she ran inside the required mark at the Valencia marathon. Before making history in Paris, McCormack finished just 18 seconds away from a medal at the European Cross Country Championships and ended her year by running the fastest marathon of her career.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGP3Z6ZUT5BRPGIA3VBELPBUF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739020},"content":"<b>January – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Lucy Mulhal</b>l</mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"6OZQAJZEHZBING35YV476HA7YA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739021},"content":"<b>Rugby</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"VXL647LOZ5FPXFIYXAVFVCZY3E","additional_properties":{"_id":"4PNATCWTNREQRLUDNTBEYYZLMM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HZE6VS6V3VBNBO7GO33WNJTGUU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739022},"content":"It was a memorable year for our Sevens side who made their Olympic debut in Paris where they reached the quarter-finals. But it was back in January that captain Lucy Mulhall led them to their first World Series gold medal when, after seeing off Britain in the semi-finals, they beat Australia in the final with the help of Mulhall’s player-of-the-match display.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HRRGHQITCNDKTBVR7HWUSUWIGI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739023},"content":"<b>February – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Mona McSharry</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"3PEKLH35QRAHFDDTH7PV6Z5GAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739024},"content":"<b>Swimming</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"M5BGHX4PGP4SKQBIQP4VFAVL3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"7CT4TJ52EZB4FKE3VD5VC2U5QM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"42QWYBMT7BHRVGF64W2M3NDZGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739025},"content":"Even before Mona McSharry became the second Irish swimmer to win an Olympic medal, her name was on our monthly list of winners. On returning from her strong performance at the World Aquatics Championships in February, she became the second woman in history to break the 56-seconds mark in a 100m breaststroke medley relay. Then came that magical moment in Paris when she took bronze in the 100m breaststroke.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z5P7IWBCH5FCRPQYAJFLMUFXXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739026},"content":"<b>March – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Rachael Blackmore</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"UM5QYKVPPVBIHH2UUDJJK4O4DE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739027},"content":"<b>Horse Racing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FC6LHF4CXH5GDV4AAJG7P4LIQU","additional_properties":{"_id":"BQLEJO7WNRF25CW7EZYG5CK25I"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"3YPKI3J34NDWZF7NJXUGFD5F5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739028},"content":"Cheltenham was already a special place for Blackmore, but in March she had yet another day to remember there when she won the Champion Chase on Henry De Bromhead’s Captain Guinness. Having already won the Gold Cup and two Champion Hurdles, that completed the Festival’s Triple Crown for the brilliant Tipperary jockey.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HNWSFHCYJ5GPLEWQUMPQDJGRZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739029},"content":"<b>April – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Róisín Ní Riain</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"M73JSM2JGBH7JI4B7TQ6M62OEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739030},"content":"<b>Swimming</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NPDBQJIVZPNSJ6C7NMW5KXQPVE","additional_properties":{"_id":"N27J5P3VVRFTRHHCTP3H2FT4AA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"NHOZF4I2MJAHBFK5SDWPMTO4PI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739031},"content":"Another of our monthly winners who excelled before Paris came around, Ní Riain returned from the European Para Swimming Championships in Portugal in April laden with five medals, among them two golds. And the Limerick teenager completed an outstanding year by winning silver and bronze at the Paralympics, in the 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IO62J7XGJVEYTEGY36KO4W5M5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739032},"content":"<b>May – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Rhasidat Adeleke</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"Q2GOJ4WKDVAITMYJMTSY2DH3RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739033},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MFBRF6KPKO6XHVLWPVH2LUSMJU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZRLAVJQPONGKHCYZOUJRUZT3JE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"47TNCO25DVBQLK32VFS4ID6OYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739034},"content":"Adeleke’s year began with a spate of record-smashing, and among the highlights thereafter were three medals at the European Championships: gold with the mixed 4x400m and silver with the women’s 4x400m relay teams and silver in the individual 400m. And agonising as they were, those fourth-place individual and relay finishes at the Olympics only served to underline the 22-year-old’s promise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AEQQFQ3PD5BVPORPISZYT2X6IE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739035},"content":"<b>June – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Ciara Mageean</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"S3IN32RJQ5E5LBJALON6RF756A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739036},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"TMMQJWXQHNBPLO6ALPI25YYBTY","additional_properties":{"_id":"2WVU2U7ZCBATXFYGHX4SQQLKJE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"33U7HBPV7NE5RKB67MILEYWM5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739037},"content":"She was left heartbroken when injury forced her to withdraw from the Olympic Games, but by then Mageean had produced the performance of a lifetime at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, a brilliant finish down the homestretch seeing her win gold in the 1,500m. It was just the third gold medal for Ireland in the 90-year history of the European Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SS6HFZEEUVEERBOIFFUBTLL6EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739038},"content":"<b>July – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Kellie Harrington</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KJO4WTHAU5HWDBOYPA44Y6JI34","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739039},"content":"<b>Boxing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RB3OHD7EPZDVBK5NLYZDBM3BCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ROPA7JS445CD7NO3EBFT7DYF6A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"DI7JDGBWDFDV5PPRVRCMHAIR5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739040},"content":"Harrington was already a history maker before she took to the ring for her Olympic final in August – when she won her quarter-final she became the first Irish woman to win medals in two Olympic Games. And come that unforgettable night at Roland Garros, in front of a (mainly Irish) crowd of 15,000, she retained her Olympic crown with a 4-1 win over China’s Wenlu Yang.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QBNP3WMAHVAD5DJOQVOWFQQZFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739041},"content":"<b>August – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"3WJ47MCLWJEDRH62MHLJY63P4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739042},"content":"<b>Gaelic games</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MGJUF4FSYXUKCOPOJHKUQMICUM","additional_properties":{"_id":"NC5ICXZJXZDNBBFZE6FUI7TFF4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QRRKH7EWWFGYTKUZNMZ3T5QKJY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739043},"content":"To her immense relief, Ní Mhuircheartaigh will never again be asked how it feels to be one of the greatest footballers of all time never to have won an All-Ireland. That question became obsolete when Kerry ended a drought that stretched back to 1993 by beating Galway in the final. So, she’s now one of the greatest footballers of all time with an All Ireland winner’s medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3BNL55WRQREEBDGX47WAIJN45Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739044},"content":"<b>September – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Katie-George Dunlevy & Linda Kelly</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"EKBDYHMFF5GOJGHGZHFXXFYSWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739045},"content":"<b>Paracycling</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DGMJ42HTO2SPYMI5GPTNEXS5HE","additional_properties":{"_id":"SL43G5QTOZELVJJIIBNR5GE54Q"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JUQICRLM7FDJZFH5ZOUNC747IA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739046},"content":"September 2024 is a month Dunlevy and Kelly won’t forget in a hurry. In the space of 25 days they won Paralympic gold and silver in Paris and two World Championship golds in Zurich. And, for good measure, Dunlevy also won Paralympic silver with her long-time pilot Eve McCrystal. Considering the number of injuries and illnesses Dunlevy and Kelly suffered through the year, their achievements were remarkable.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5PBVHAMWZZEOBKGY5LSBSTEGZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739047},"content":"<b>October – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Lara Gillespie</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KL6RZHHTVJASJM36YSBCPRYSL4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739048},"content":"<b>Cycling</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"SNI53BQQRBMGNJPKYXKFAESVXM","additional_properties":{"_id":"JE2WOY7T2JGFBKFJZRRGMWE2KY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LCL6RWLBFZHSPLA7Y3Y4GHK7OI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739049},"content":"Another of our sportswomen of the year who has had to battle through illness and injury, Gillespie put it all behind her in a year that culminated in a bronze medal at the Track World Championships. By then she was part of the first Irish team pursuit squad to qualify for the Olympic Games, she won the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa and the Antwerp Port Epic, and was awarded a contract that saw her step up to World Tour level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KJW6UGSGZZHCNFNEHQEHNCQKPE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739050},"content":"<b>November – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Katie Taylor</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"RMWI4R4KW5BZDGHHHMAAXADDD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739051},"content":"<b>Boxing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BY2PEG5KQNASNJJJ6ZHFFYSBLY","additional_properties":{"_id":"HJKD7FFLFNCMLHA5M2LFIRTMNQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CZNIU7Z3OJAB7K5CA4J2PQHJ5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739052},"content":"Our five-time Sportswoman of the Year was involved in yet another fight for the ages with Amanda Serrano, four years after they first met at Madison Square Garden. Nobody ever thought that contest would be topped, but somehow the pair achieved the feat in front of a crowd of over 60,000 in Arlington, Texas. Taylor got the nod from all three judges who each scored it 95-94.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"Monthly winners this year included Kellie Harrington, Rachael Blackmore and Rhasidat Adeleke"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sportswoman of the Year Awards: Celebration of women’s achievements hits its 20th year","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"4J3O26TQR5DMBHC6KORXGDKR4U","auth":{"1":"c53a284a1bd1b7fae6664f39905f28896f1fd2eba62b20eed520a7ef34dd452b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4J3O26TQR5DMBHC6KORXGDKR4U.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/sportswoman-awards-preview-celebration-of-womens-achievements-hits-its-20th-year/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"X36PCAD5SFASBAJDNFO6DXQSGY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":1512,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/33a8f3a1-cc8d-4871-880d-ee5e88e49df8/versions/1734267416/media/0c0814b808337616ea37194927e1d502_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/14/a-stellar-year-for-irish-women-in-sport-kellie-rhasidat-katie-mona-and-so-much-more/","content_elements":[{"_id":"4F3IJ7QFMFEK5IZG7DSKEJCTIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038643},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>25 Danielle Hill’s Gold in 50m backstroke at European Championships</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"XXZ6TF5ORM5CPNGZ5WM7JAZYGI","additional_properties":{"_id":"7S2QQW5CJNA6BKBEIC7AQTXHP4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RZ3DVHXIHBGLHPZ3I7NU3A6WJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038644},"content":"2024 was a remarkable year for Ireland in the pool. Belfast’s Danielle Hill is one of three swimming entries on this year’s list, the 25-year-old earning her spot after ending Ireland’s 27-year wait for a European long-course medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UD336RFAHJCYPKVZJ35SYYLO2U","additional_properties":{"_id":"KV4HGZZYMVF63KJFSMBVOMKRLQ"},"content":"Danielle Hill wins backstroke gold at European Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JMGOROKKGZC35KLG7HNROTTSSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038645},"content":"In Belgrade, Hill hit the wall in 27.73 to win gold in the 50m backstroke, an event in which she holds one of her four individual senior Irish records. Two days later, she was back in the pool to take silver in the 100m backstroke, just four-tenths of a second off gold. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"W64DQETZR5EBZDKYGM45GOWKEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038638},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>24 Vikki Wall’s performance in AFLW grand final for North Melbourne</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OEE7B647Y2NAWXWU77PITARB5I","additional_properties":{"_id":"JXDNLBRR6FA33OHYJSLL45N4OA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"TZSHR4P7JBGOLM5YOVX5AZZ24Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038639},"content":"Aussie Rules is one of the great appreciators of Irish talent, and Vikki Wall’s performance in North Melbourne’s triumph over Brisbane to win the club’s first AFLW title was a showcase of just how successful the “Irish experiment” has been.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ETYU56VKJRD2PGW7X65VMPV27Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038640},"content":"The Meath two-time All-Ireland winner – part of a three-strong Irish contingent in the Kangaroos alongside Cork’s Erika O’Shea and Tipperary’s Niamh Martin – scored two goals in last month’s grand final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6I2M3PX2TFDK3B27Y3XW4327NI","additional_properties":{"_id":"43FTTQM2DBD57LUEOMVXXSN2ZM"},"content":"From missing out on the Olympics to winning an AFLW title, nobody had a year like Vikki Wall","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6DUPCTF6IRBDDK4M6XIAFUBVBM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038641},"content":"And an honourable mention must go to Tipperary’s Orla O’Dwyer and Dublin’s Jennifer Dunne, who both put in characteristically solid shifts for the Lions in the decider.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4WXYX56STNDARGB7HJIZ6Z24GQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038642},"content":"Exceptional talents at home and away. Sorry, I’ll see myself out. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"F2I32EPCMRD37F4ZK2WEFRHWOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038634},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>23 Cork senior camogie team retain O’Duffy Cup</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"I7NFMLSM7JH3LE7F7SYHUCDOFI","additional_properties":{"_id":"4F3DAFPM4VASXOCFQKWQNAGMU4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZYXAY5YCGFCMDNWJBVZOUNAEPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038635},"content":"Does winning ever get old? For the Cork senior camogie team, it’s fairly safe to say the answer is no. A record-breaking 30th title was likely just as sweet as the county’s first back in 1934.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TDWK4LCV7ZFDPOVIDWTTTTUYLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038636},"content":"A goal, albeit a contested one, was the difference between the Rebels and old foes Galway, the counties having met in nine previous All-Ireland finals, the most recent of which – in 2021 – went the way of the Tribeswomen.","type":"text"},{"_id":"INGV7OZH5FAGZK3VXD3NXBSCUY","additional_properties":{"_id":"Y3YVUSYEE5DEPHQ6XF72CUZ2U4"},"content":"Cork record 30th senior camogie title as they see off Galway fightback","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"7E2GSEJTUZHYRASM5VTNZRF5EE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038637},"content":"In a fiercely close decider, Cork had that little bit extra to seal the win as the clock ticked to the death, sending the O’Duffy Cup back to the Leeside for another year. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ANEEQTOV7JHIDCKS6PVQXNRUWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038631},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>22 Ireland play Israel in basketball</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"V7SGZNWBOFEHNKNDWMYN3QHMWY","additional_properties":{"_id":"RCYXQXPPHBGFVP46RX7GC7ASIE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"44MJRFRCPFEY3AOIQGEFEFIUGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038632},"content":"The Ireland team found themselves in an impossible situation in February. With the war in Gaza playing itself out in grim dispatches every night on the news, a EuroBasket qualifier against Israel in Latvia was always going to present a huge quandary for them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FA2M6OVTCFFR5PJVXJCP2AQCZY","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZHLGMDT56ZCLFBRL6PQB7YLLME"},"content":"How did the Irish women’s basketball team become embroiled in controversy over Israel?","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"5HGBC6RTW5DVZCNH7FZH2IPSRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038633},"content":"A boycott would result in a welter of fines and suspensions. Playing the game would result in accusations of supporting the Israeli regime. In the end, they ended up taking criticism from all sides. They went ahead with the game but refused to shake hands, in protest at an Israeli player baselessly calling them antisemitic. Israel got the result but nobody won. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G7CQS5OQL5D23KR4G5IFAEPT2Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038628},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>21 RTÉ Investigates abuse of players by coaches</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"P3BWHOLSFZC5NKRLBZ3HV4L7HI","additional_properties":{"_id":"HHQOBSEUKZC6NBBDCQL7PJCYYU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PZXCMZS3XNAYBD6WVXA7HIP57A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038629},"content":"If it was a grim year on the pitch for Irish women’s football on the senior international front, it was worse still off it, the lowest moment coming back in July when Marie Crowe and Mark Tighe teamed up for an RTÉ Investigates probe in to what female players had endured at the hands of some of their FAI coaches in the 1990s.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QW55HDMPJRGO5MJ3GCT563T2OI","additional_properties":{"_id":"N4WHH7YRUNBUTMN5JFVTVXABXI"},"content":"FAI coaching allegations: There is no resolution to this story, no happily ever afters. Careers were stalled, trauma inflicted","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"EDY3NJ6QGND73NY7PZYS3YVCU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038630},"content":"Multiple players alleged they had been subjected to sexual advances, some describing how their international careers were impacted – or ended – by standing up to their abusers. The FAI said they were “shocked and appalled” by the allegations, all of which were deeply depressing. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"OGSXRTRDYVFWXFONWQIDW4UJWM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038625},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>20 Ireland win a first ever World Series title in rugby sevens</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BZQXAJIMXJFPZFCDWV3CMYT7FE","additional_properties":{"_id":"OUBHUPFX4ZBD7OY34J7CNW6K3Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PM4DPDWGDJH5BJW2DKNMCIOSSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038626},"content":"This was Lucy Mulhall’s final year with the sevens squad – the Ireland captain retired after the Olympics, capping a decade-long career in which sevens went from a curio that nobody really had much interest in to something far more solid on the sporting landscape.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XVGMM5LWGFGGFHL7JGXDLIHRT4","additional_properties":{"_id":"VV4XZSTSLRC3TLAXSCLBVQIWHE"},"content":"Ireland women win first ever World Series rugby sevens gold medal in Perth","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"4P6PGJV7JREHFGZSPTKARDJ4RE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038627},"content":"This World Series win in Perth in January was unimaginable for most of Mulhall’s career but they pulled it off with wins over Fiji, Great Britain and Australia. The final against the home side – and World Series leaders – was a stunning effort, all coming down to Eve Higgins’s late try to seal the 19-14 win. The high point of the sevens year. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WR7ZKFJ5ARE2ZEKEEURZBW5FSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038622},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>19 Athlone Town win league title </b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"NMFAJTYTRMZICNE5IR3PJ7GXVI","additional_properties":{"_id":"LXGNMTQ2RZDOFNROU7CGYQTNLA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LQAGYBA2MFFFVCZLWNTWPN7VQE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038623},"content":"Some story, this. It was only in August 2020 that Athlone Town played their first ever senior League of Ireland game, but just over four years later they only went and won the title, wrapping it up on home turf with a 2-0 win over Bohemians. A humdinger of a title battle it was too, with Shelbourne and Galway United pushing them all the way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HWGJNNS3SREIBC4O5Y4LOV5I5A","additional_properties":{"_id":"GBVZ23SHQZFZ7CT7442OBFDAIM"},"content":"Athlone Town complete fairy-tale by winning Premier Division title","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"TPVGIGIHJNDULPXTDUFRBYAADM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038624},"content":"Athlone’s dreams of a double were, though, well and truly crushed by Shels who beat them 6-1 in the FAI Cup final, after which Athlone manager Ciarán Kilduff stepped down from his role, later appointed boss of Dundalk’s men’s team. Still, a hell of an achievement by a club that should, strictly, still only be finding their feet at this level. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KPZBTGMNJVFK5JQO4IEZL3AQWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038619},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>18 Missing out on Euro 2025</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BKIAJ6LZPXRWX6YKT67Q7UPPTM","additional_properties":{"_id":"ILPDJDFGUFBDHKGLFF6PEUZIBI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"23NBRSU5F5CVFMA2IOYAW5W324","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038620},"content":"Not one of the happier moments from 2024, but it was a painfully significant one. After making their World Cup debut in 2023, the hope was that the Republic of Ireland would push on and make qualifying for major tournaments a habit. But a calamitous night in Dublin in December put paid to that ambition.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GTAGOLABXVEFPBHQLJC5KEJSCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"TR4HVULOLVDYPNOC5RW6PVEPGI"},"content":"Ireland let glorious Euros opportunity slip from their fingers after heartbreaking Welsh defeat","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JDTRGIGU2NGURHDBDWYUORKSTI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038621},"content":"The killer moment in the second leg of the play-off, the first having ended 1-1 in Cardiff, came in the 67th minute when Wales doubled their lead on the night through Carrie Jones. Anna Patten’s late reply was too little, too late. There’ll be no trip to Switzerland next summer, then, a horror of a conclusion to a difficult year for the national team. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"PWLHOP2KXRC4TA6GDQ4MCIHFDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038615},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>17 Orla Prendergast leads way in win over England</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"SBSMN5GWJLT7UJABT45C7FXXVE","additional_properties":{"_id":"W3B2DT76HBBL3PUC7EHTDGUKZU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ARDJ5RS2YJAI3GL3VNUTNWHRGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038616},"content":"The Irish cricket team concluded a year sprinkled with memorable moments by beating Bangladesh 3-0 in their T20 international series, but nothing quite topped that September day in Clontarf when they got the better of England for the first time in the same format.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6T4Y2B44LNGOLI56664WSS4K5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038617},"content":"Once again, Orla Prendergast demonstrated what a world class cricketer she is when she scored 80 runs off 51 balls, despite suffering from a badly grazed hand, her innings interrupted when she had to have the wound cleaned and dressed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C7M66VDFQFEWJO7YBAYL7VD7K4","additional_properties":{"_id":"V65KOK5B5RCEPA7G2OG5VONZLM"},"content":"Ireland secure first win against England in 20-over women’s cricket at Clontarf","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"YHIF7ANRMZCU7CGEOSE73XEWEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038618},"content":"Having already played her part with the ball, the all-rounder taking two key wickets in England’s innings, Prendergast then stepped up with the bat, her thrilling knock, which featured 13 boundaries, sending Ireland on their way to a famous victory. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JHJHYMWEKJCPHHP6SG3UKG7BQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038612},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>16 Lara Gillespie wins bronze at the World Championships</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"B3N7P6XMEBFVVCOXVT2HXAJ4LQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"XKSA2GWHJZEEXPHH236CN5YAS4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"N3IZI6VHFFBA5BYGN5KNPGA34U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038613},"content":"Katie-George Dunlevy described cycling as a “sufferfest”, and Lara Gillespie can attest to that. No more than Dunlevy, she’s been through the mill, her well-documented battle with a debilitating gynaecological condition followed by a heap of injuries, among them a dislocated collarbone and broken shoulder.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OSMAFVBUERECPE3DVF3S6O2VTI","additional_properties":{"_id":"2TP276473ZBLRDNV5QHZPGAKXA"},"content":"Lara Gillespie speeds to bronze medal at track world championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"XPA47O4K6ZAK7NZACIFFV6V27I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038614},"content":"Despite it all, the Wicklow woman can reflect on a sparkling 2024 that saw her being part of the first Irish team pursuit squad to qualify for the Olympic Games, win the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa and the Antwerp Port Epic, and being awarded a pro contract that saw her step up to World Tour level. And, to round her year off, she won bronze at the World Championships in Denmark. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"2M67TFM2LRHZFG35YH5GUK2OWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038609},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>15 Ireland beat New Zealand at the WXVI</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"QC3CKJGREDQXEK6WSHXDTNV5FY","additional_properties":{"_id":"4L4YM4G3HJB4ZCD66RGPDWWVWA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"WDR7AYM6DBHYRI2NYEZYINU6P4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074590},"content":"It’s fair to say the WXV tournament hadn’t particularly caught the attention of the Irish sporting public ahead of this, its second year. Nothing like a win over New Zealand to change minds on that score. Ireland qualified for the top tier of the competition by coming third in the Six Nations and hit the ground sprinting in Vancouver with this 29-27 win over the Black Ferns.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5AP3Y3ZDC5BZHJKS3SPPIXFGDU","additional_properties":{"_id":"3IUILCMKUZCO7C25UCLCGXPDJU"},"content":"Ireland stun world champions New Zealand with win in opening clash","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"EPDXRTRW4NDXXJYYWOYTXMSQ2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038611},"content":"Aoife Wafer snagged two first-half tries before substitute Erin King announced herself with a couple of her own in the closing quarter-hour, a performance that went a long way to earning her the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RYXJZM6ZCNGNHJVHXG2HQEDFFM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038605},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>14 Fionnuala McCormack</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZRU3KUYVW5GCNJ6WSN3AGUPSAI","additional_properties":{"_id":"HKSEMOLENJEY7ED745INEMARCQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"W4AQCKAEDFE5ZELVORLLFW3A24","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074595},"content":"It’s a whole 18 years since the names of two Wicklow women first appeared on our monthly roll of honour: Fionnuala McCormack and a certain Katie Taylor. Since then? Not just longevity, but excellence too. With a large dollop of history-making thrown in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VIODSRDECFHQFNMILBYZSL7OPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733867243223},"content":"It was this time last year that McCormack, now 40, became the first Irish woman to qualify for a fifth successive Olympic Games when she ran inside the required mark at the Valencia marathon. She was far from happy with her 28th place finish in Paris on a course she described as “torture”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"II2WDAWLV5DGNJGQX57ZPYDR7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733867243224},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/08/11/fionnuala-mccormack-finishes-28th-in-olympics-marathon-as-sifan-hassan-makes-history/\" target=\"_blank\">“But at least I’m still alive,” she concluded.</a>","type":"text"},{"_id":"HIXA3RABLBH4LMYKDIVC3OQTC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038608},"content":"Is she done? Is she heck. On the first day of this month she returned to Valencia where she ran the fastest marathon of her career, taking 12 seconds off her previous best. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"UKOHFCZJNJBZHHHVVXAWGVHXFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038601},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>13 Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh – Kerry’s first All-Ireland senior title since 1993</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OBX72PLQKRBR3P37WSQQJ4R2YM","additional_properties":{"_id":"NQHBUKHIMJEITNKK7SHRZ36D5U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GMYCW7SDDZB7RABMVJY3AK3RDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734020550393},"content":"For the Kerry footballers, 2024 proved some things are worth the wait, finally coming good against Galway to end their 31-year wait to return the Brendan Martin Cup to the Kingdom. Their emphatic win marked the end of an era for Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh; no longer would she bear the burden of being the greatest player without an All-Ireland medal for her 17-year service.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DTNPHZF3JRE4BCCB37YXW7XCLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"YEX6JZO6HZA4FIZ3YE6TZ7IUSU"},"content":"Kerry finally make their All-Ireland dream come through after years of heartache","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JFIM3XT6RJFUDJDBO4DXWFUFXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038604},"content":"Ní Mhuircheartaigh supplied six points on Kerry’s way to victory at Croke Park, her free-taking a study in composure, stamping her name on her fifth All Star. Of the numerous All-Ireland medals that have found a home in Kerry, Ní Mhuircheartaigh can be counted among the most deserved recipients. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"I7AH6BXMY5CQZMTQTTFK5LUVZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038598},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>12 Bohemians v Palestine</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZK3EARD6B5HFPMJLED2CTUBTDU","additional_properties":{"_id":"RRE334LLYBDYFJAGAF52DSGNJY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QNHXKGQ5SNER7MEVZIZ6PZR6W4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074606},"content":"It’s unlikely that there were any more emotional days in the Irish sporting year than when the women of Palestine took on Bohemians at Dalymount Park in May. It was the first match played in Europe by any senior Palestine national side, Bohs inviting them to Dublin as an act of solidarity in light of the carnage inflicted on their homeland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RKXWW6AIPNDM5EFOA3AMIPI45A","additional_properties":{"_id":"W2IDVR5C4NHDBMPTS46Y243LOE"},"content":"Bohemians v Palestine: ‘In Gaza, our fields and our stadiums have been demolished’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"VRRD5D3GKZG4RGEYT6GZW7Y7AU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074607},"content":"A full house welcomed them to Dalymount, the team having been received at Áras an Uachtaráin by President Michael D Higgins, the players overwhelmed by their reception in Ireland. “In Palestine we’re not even allowed to fly as many of our flags as we’ve seen flying here,” said their manager Deema Said. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FU4PBHSFGJGCPM5Y4NKUUUSXAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038594},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>11 Orla Comerford – Paralympic bronze</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"C3GBQ57GFCG423YCGYNWNSC5Z4","additional_properties":{"_id":"URUCYJERBVFBHE6PJYCEFKTNXE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"YUPGXQQY4NEN5OIZNICHBBWE6A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074611},"content":"Orla Comerford had barely stepped off the track at the Stade de France having earned her first Paralympic medal – bronze in the T13 100m final – but her mind had already turned to LA 2028. The Dubliner banished any lingering doubts from Tokyo to take third in a race in which both the gold and silver medallists ran under the world record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TB7J6EMDYBEGFIMX5C7METPXFY","additional_properties":{"_id":"NUBRWQGDTRHSNGTTHXX4XSNVCQ"},"content":"‘There is lots more in the tank’: Orla Comerford happy with Paralympics bronze, for now","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"DKZKX5UME5EJPKPLPOEB767V5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038597},"content":"Beaming with her medal around her neck, Comerford said her initial feeling after crossing the line was disappointment, although the reality of her achievement quickly set in to turn that to delight. Still, there’s little doubt as to what medal she has her eye on next time. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6LGMYFKHYJAQVBNWWCX4DMBTXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038590},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>10 The 4x400m mixed relay team</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"TRUHODS3NZBGNCWMKSNXSAX7SQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"T7PVX2BKSFEUDBYL5WYAW7XO54"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2RZZBXTJ2RHV5GHQ7W7CXDE72A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074616},"content":"Ah, what a night at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Chris O’Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley combining to produce 3:09.92 of pure gold in the 4x400m mixed relay final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TAU7F4VUKRD4VGO3PBZTYJ3JLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038592},"content":"Before that evening, only Sonia O’Sullivan had ever stood atop the podium for Ireland at the European Championships, but there had been a hint of what was to come in Nassau the previous May when the team – Cillin Greene in that line-up instead of O’Donnell – triumphed at the World Athletics Relays.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GA7PKPEG2FHYXN7UF3M67M5NVI","additional_properties":{"_id":"POZJDMEIVJDOPBBLDLFDVRBQGE"},"content":"Ireland win gold in 4x400m mixed relay at European Athletics Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"5FWY4LXADBEPFD4KZTRIKM4HL4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038593},"content":"They turned up trumps in Rome, O’Donnell and Barr doing their bit, Adeleke blitzing the second leg, before Mawdsley’s stunning anchor leg. Magical. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EDBKV735AFCERA22BLZXOO2TII","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038586},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>9 Róisín Ní Riain – Five medals at European Championships and two at Paralympics</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HZEZCOW76267YJSVJBTILKYOS4","additional_properties":{"_id":"G5GIJH26DFBPZKNQBKMPERXVOE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CDL2TYAL5BDR3BWZM3TOX52PXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074622},"content":"Not since Atlanta 1996 (remembered with fondness or regret, you decide) would the pool have been considered Ireland’s arena of choice, but 2024 did mighty work to help change that. Róisín Ní Riain stormed the European Para Swimming Championships in Portugal back in May, claiming five medals – two gold, two silver, and a bronze – from her six events.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IMMA7PXTWRHSRKBLAAAS64CUGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733917509168},"content":"As Paralympic warmups go, you couldn’t ask for better. Paris was the Limerick woman’s second games having been Ireland’s youngest Paralympian in Tokyo, and she walked away with silver in the 100m backstroke and bronze in the 200m IM. More to come in LA perhaps? <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBK3XP4V6VEMDAMF2QOWVPSAB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038583},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>8 Rachael Blackmore completes the Cheltenham triple crown</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"VCBK5YEX5W42IKYCNBAEMXL534","additional_properties":{"_id":"E64GPPIHOZGGBA4KW42MMADY24"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VEBIEEH4HRD73L6763PGRCTHQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074626},"content":"In the past 50 years of the Cheltenham festival, only eight jockeys have put together the elite triptych of Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase. It goes without saying that Rachael Blackmore is the first and only woman on that list.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCZPQTGK5RDCXF32IQMLDJYJVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"6WXKN2MW7RDX7G6V2WOVWZFZRU"},"content":"Cheltenham: Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore secure Queen Mother Champion Chase","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"LGBZM66CVZFVNICXJBVPE4F2IU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734124713474},"content":"Captain Guinness’s victory in the Champion Chase was her 16th festival winner. In an event-filled race, she steered Henry De Bromhead’s horse to a hard-earned victory, staving off a late challenge from Mark Walsh on Gentleman De Mee. It was everything we’ve come to expect from her – unflappable, expertly timed, imperious. She makes it all look routine, which of course it isn’t. MC","type":"text"},{"_id":"E5FQDQ6KEVG3TKDK4HL25YMXUA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038580},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>7 4x400m women’s relay team - silver at the European Championships, fourth at Olympics</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HNQZLVUSSTQOKMBO6POCJEFNLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"LVCBP2IMING4RHT7EJ5EUGIHFM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KQO3VKGWUFAGHGIDFF4HVMNYPA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074631},"content":"The quartet of Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley have done an almost unheard of thing in Irish life. They’ve colonised the imagination of the general public in a team sport that doesn’t involve a ball.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NOPUTCCXGFF4XCU2P5TBNS35NY","additional_properties":{"_id":"SMNEEIO73JHHPJL4P7522CISUY"},"content":"Ireland women claim silver medal in 4x400m relay at European Athletics Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"SSNJMFVZ75CPHJCVC6ESIJPISM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038582},"content":"They did it first in Rome in June by winning the silver medal at the European Championships. Then they followed it up in Paris in August when they came so close to an unprecedented Olympic medal, with Mawdsley only just run out of it in the dying yards. It was emotional, inspirational, heartbreaking stuff and it held the nation captive in a way no relay team has ever done. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G45ED4HGUZCZFGEOAD22WPHJHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038577},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>6 Mona McSharry’s Olympic bronze</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KKYVEMVD5FEIVXVWPXUANBEILE","additional_properties":{"_id":"TAW4I5F6NFDJXPAOXIC35U3CPA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UM6GTEZWAVFSBGFVD36P4DN4WE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074636},"content":"By her own admission, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2024/07/30/how-mona-mcsharry-went-from-hating-swimming-to-a-remarkable-olympic-bronze-medal/\" target=\"_blank\">Mona McSharry hadn’t just fallen out of love with swimming, she was beginning to hate it</a>. The sport had been at the centre of her life for as long as she could remember, but she was beginning to feel like it wasn’t giving back anything close to what she was putting in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L5VYXDZRDFBCZCMIXO6RAM5DXY","additional_properties":{"_id":"QPGIJNGBNFAZTPAYWE6WOOSVCI"},"content":"In pictures: Mona McSharry secures famous bronze medal for Ireland in the pool","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"FRVMNE7KBJC7HPOT5LIOWVAYRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038579},"content":"Then came that July day in Paris when she stood on the podium after the 100m breaststroke final with a bronze medal draped around her neck, having become only the second Irish swimmer to medal at the Olympics (a certain Daniel Wiffen made it three the day after). Not even her goggles filling up with water prevented her from finishing third in a race that featured four of the event’s finest specialists. Her tears flowed. The sport had finally given back.<b> MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IKZ2FM757FDHBC6O3NIMTKB6TE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038569},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>5 Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly win Paralympic and World Championship golds</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"V4MCCYVEGF6ZJCKNWG6X3BCSIE","additional_properties":{"_id":"VSKNZ6DIQNHYTLVKZDFHFT5SXM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CKJNNR2WDJBRLDDIIWA5HLKXGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074641},"content":"Even before September came around it had already been a fruitful year for Katie-George Dunlevy and her pilot Linda Kelly, but then they went into overdrive by winning two Paralympic and two World Championship medals in the space of just 25 days – three of them gold.","type":"text"},{"_id":"765XLTMYA5GXBA44W474LFTLRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038571},"content":"What made their achievements all the more remarkable was what the pair had had to endure through the year in terms of injury and illness – concussion, a broken collarbone, leg and arm infections, and two bouts of Covid. And that was only the half of it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P6VIUTSJKFEDRHCXC3UOAY4XPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038572},"content":"They’re made of steely stuff, though. Dunlevy, for example, got back on her bike after a crash in a qualification event in Italy and finished fourth – and only later learnt that she’d done so with that broken collarbone. But as she put it herself, “if I’m not in a world of pain and am not falling off the bike at the finish, I haven’t worked hard enough”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S5NJ7VSDVBCO3MOUE56XCK24RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038573},"content":"The rewards were great come Paris, Dunlevy bringing her tally of Paralympic medals to eight, two of them won with Kelly, and one with her long-time pilot Eve McCrystal who was making her final international appearance.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RYMFG46INFBGFAXWVVC2AJQXUM","additional_properties":{"_id":"5LABKF45WZBTHKY2RDRDKCMYEM"},"content":"Paralympic cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy: ‘I want to inspire visually impaired children and the LGBT community to not give up’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"KERH4DEDN5HQ3FUCJUGTIVWZ64","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038574},"content":"It was her gold with Kelly, though, in the individual time-trial that meant the most, Dunlevy successfully retaining her Tokyo title and Kelly winning the first Paralympic medal of her career just two years after taking up tandem riding for the first time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVL6UYDBFFAV5DJW4OITXDUCSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038575},"content":"It was a stunning victory by the pair who had trailed Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holly by over 10 seconds at the first split, but produced a surge thereafter that saw them overtake and hold off the Britons, winning gold by 1:23.60 seconds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C5CLLNOSN5HC5EUR27QRU5ODAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038576},"content":"And lest they be accused of being lazy, they were back in their saddles a fortnight later for the World Championships in Zurich where they only went and won gold in both the time-trial and road race. A September like no other. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"5DPTLIITUVEZ3A562J3OXQQ274","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038560},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>4 Katie Taylor beats Amanda Serrano</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"5XUEVLO6FULTTWGJBL7IQAD3TY","additional_properties":{"_id":"PS466OIORVE5ZOOJHTALWCOTFE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"IIKOMSMYMJGOPM5YGTAK3ZIFTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074651},"content":"What is a list of Irish women’s sporting moments without Katie Taylor?","type":"text"},{"_id":"KC5CENWQUNAMPJHJ2H6SEZVLWU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038562},"content":"A performance to warrant her inclusion in this year’s iteration may have been delayed by forces beyond her control, but by god did she end up earning her spot.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SNBFNDSK65FSDBKW5VLPYR4QD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038563},"content":"In November, the Bray fighter returned to the ring for a rematch against Amanda Serrano, the pair having previously met in a history-making fight at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2022, the first women’s fight to headline the iconic venue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WS3JTA2G2VBLDA3G6FEA2F35OE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038564},"content":"Taylor won that bout on a split decision to retain her lightweight titles, her hand hardly raised above her head before the Puerto Rican fighter sought a rematch. Given the show they put on it was a dead cert, promoter Eddie Hearn bigging up the idea that the second instalment could be a homecoming for KT, floating Croke Park as a potential venue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AOUX2VCVHZBJBOBSJOAP4I55GM","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZERPI5R23FALTKHATLZ3XHU42Y"},"content":"Katie Taylor narrowly defeats Amanda Serrano in brutal contest","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"O5MIRUG7ABFXBMHMLV73UJWS54","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038565},"content":"Alas, not to be, and instead it got wrapped up as a co-main event in the glorified vanity project that was Mike Tyson v Jake Paul (the event delayed from May due to a Tyson illness), providing the only shred of true sporting action on an otherwise ridiculous night in Texas.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KC6JTAHXDRBABNZU6FFK3C3RWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038566},"content":"Just as they were at MSG, Taylor and Serrano were remarkably evenly matched. After 10 pummelling rounds, the judges had their verdict: 95-94 unanimously for Taylor. Serrano and her team didn’t like it (shooting off some nasty accusations that Serrano later retracted), the crowd didn’t like it, Netflix’s bumbling commentators didn’t like it – but that doesn’t make the decision wrong. A modicum of impartiality would have gone a long way at AT&T Stadium, but rage gets better ratings.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OKQIVQQCDFD7ZPVUXOK2MJD2RY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038568},"content":"Despite the mudslinging, Taylor was the ever-gracious champ, rising above the painful pageantry of the wider occasion and going home with her light-welterweight titles intact. Long may she reign. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCFXPJHO3NDU7IF4NQI4S4O7EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038553},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>3 Ciara Mageean becomes European 1,500m champion</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"24D2MKEYFZBQZMQR4JK3ZFA5E4","additional_properties":{"_id":"2NUL2UNAXBBG5LFZMBRHCIVUYY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2T2XRTOETVBELI3OWHRVYROQLE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074661},"content":"Paris was a disaster for Ciara Mageean. The Achilles injury she has been carrying for most of the past decade picked the exact wrong time to flare up, causing her to pull out on the eve of the games. The timing couldn’t have been worse – she was in the form of her life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NGEHLVY6OJD27NHQQZPVIV5YSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038555},"content":"That was clear to everyone at the European Championships in Rome just six weeks earlier. Throughout her career, Mageean has been there or thereabouts at European level in the 1,500 metres. She won bronze in Amsterdam in 2016, silver in Munich in 2022. She went to Rome as one of the medal contenders in everyone’s book, even though her injury profile means you’re never too sure how much hope to hold out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OLMLAP5GNBGPXO7MP53QXBDBYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038556},"content":"As it transpired, she was the best of the field. She ran three-and-a-half laps on the shoulders of British pair Georgia Hall and Gemma Reekie, waiting until the top of the final bend before grabbing a gap between them and striking for home.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MZ2HXLSZXJCEHCRVUVJ66XVHNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038557},"content":"She ran with a confidence that very few of us who were in the Stadio Olimpico shared, certain in herself that she had the kick to take the gold. When she crossed the line, she flung her two arms in the air, the pinnacle of her career reached at last.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C3ALCATGKJEYJKWKCCPFG4KGEM","additional_properties":{"_id":"TPMEZCXOM5FD5FM53FQKZZ6HVU"},"content":"Ciara Mageean: ‘I just felt numb. It wasn’t even sadness, it was just emptiness’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6CE5G2PKOFAZZJHMSKKCGUX62Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038558},"content":"At that moment, everything else fell away. All the bad days, all the dashed hopes, all the ups and downs of a career where the occasional fragility of Mageean’s body has betrayed her. It would turn traitor on her again in the weeks that followed, meaning that 2024 will always be unavoidable bittersweet in her memory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I4YWNQMG4ZCH3HDADN3HEATEAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038559},"content":"But for that night in Rome, nothing else mattered. She got what she deserved, finally. And what a beautiful thing it was. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZUASPNFSNFCTFPFSX2TWWIXKQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038545},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>2 Rhasidat Adeleke’s record-breaking year</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"AYK6YOCOBYTB5PHIIYD5V3QFZA","additional_properties":{"_id":"EERMLXTPANFXDEYY3SDBG4C4LA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HXIAVYIIEFDEXOVQW6CCMSDZJM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074670},"content":"Another remarkable year for Rhasidat Adeleke gave us any number of moments to warrant her inclusion. Despite heartbreak in Paris, 2024 proved the Dubliner’s star remains firmly on the rise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6UBY7PP3VJDQJE2LRSLCHVB65A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038547},"content":"If you want cold, hard figures, how’s nine for you. That’s the number of Irish records the 22-year-old holds at year end – seven individual, two relay.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VHN6OQZ6N5BQ5GCAQT4VJUCDGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038548},"content":"By <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/01/21/rhasidat-adeleke-breaks-two-irish-indoor-records-with-first-races-of-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">mid-February Adeleke had already bettered three of her Irish indoor records over 60, 200 and 300 metres</a>. Then in May, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/05/05/sensational-rhasidat-adeleke-leads-irish-relay-teams-to-paris-olympics-on-the-double/\" target=\"_blank\">she put in masterful runs at the World Athletics Relays to help Ireland qualify for the Olympics in both the women’s and mixed 4x400</a> metres relays, taking bronze in the mixed relay final for good measure. Not a bother to the girl from Tallaght with the ribbons in her hair.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U554VLU2JFBHDFA2MLDL4M2YGI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038549},"content":"But the zenith of Adeleke’s year was yet to come. June saw her travel to Rome as part of an Irish contingent that claimed a record haul of medals at the European Athletic Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NPL3Y4N3ZRAVPP3OIWNN2K5GXI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038550},"content":"Of Team Ireland’s four medals from the competition, Adeleke was party to three. She <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/06/07/ireland-win-gold-in-4x400m-mixed-relay-at-european-athletics-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">first took gold with the 4x400 metres mixed</a> relay team (besting their Irish record from May), before her solo silver in the 400 metres which so nearly could have been gold (again smashing her own Irish record in the process), following it up with silver in the women’s 4x400 metres relay.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K2O7F24ABNA7VFIYGA3POKD3KI","additional_properties":{"_id":"LJR7E5CQMREWBNHDSFJMY3WWNA"},"content":"Rhasidat Adeleke takes silver in 400m at European Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"Q4F4H6X7XZATNNIUB66K4GIDSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734267574130},"content":"From that high, an Olympic medal looked within her reach. The agony comes in the narrow margin by which it ultimately didn’t come to pass. Fourth in both the 400 metres and the women’s 4x400 metres relay finals (another Irish record performance) spelled heartbreak in the city of love, an unfair takeaway given the glittering year she’s had. But perhaps that’s the mark of her talent, and our collective anticipation that her race is far from run. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZSUN3SCS2BHBPI4VSYXR5ZSRDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734018546322},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>1 Kellie Harrington wins Olympic gold</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BEXMKBEZL5AXPEKPIW5ML3T3VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038537},"content":"There has never been an Irish Olympic boxer to compare to Kellie Harrington. Over the course of a century, 116 fighters wore the Ireland singlet at the Olympics. Of those 116, 19 fought at more than one games. Of those 19, eight won fights at multiple games. Of those eight, just two medalled twice. Whittle further and Harrington has history all to herself, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/boxing/2024/08/06/kellie-harrington-becomes-double-olympic-champion-with-display-of-pure-gold/\" target=\"_blank\">the only Irish fighter with two Olympic gold medals</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"32P3SJPJGNDK7FMT3OV5DXAQXY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038538},"content":"As the rest of the Irish boxing team fell around her like skittles this summer, she forged her own path, oblivious. There were 10 Irish boxers in Paris but the tournament was mostly a disaster. They came home with just five wins between them – Harrington was responsible for four of them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C67DGGTMPSXZ7AMOE2DWS22ONI","additional_properties":{"_id":"KBYF2GN2NVGB7AWN7XM4UGVCUA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"A5KQH7JG2VBG5JYK2IUB5GGBXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074681},"content":"Her Olympic gold medal was a mental triumph as much as it was a physical one. She began the year unsure of herself, worried about her place in the Irish public’s affections, counting the days until her Olympic final when it would all be over and she could get on with her life. In the Olympic village, she ate alone and retreated to her own solitude. All in service of the four fights it took to make her champion again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3OKPEIVAN5BIJOU5EI346HTFAM","additional_properties":{"_id":"LHLGZVADR5AJNJOF52H2P4T4TQ"},"content":"Kellie Harrington stands alone, the first Irish woman to win gold medals at two Olympics","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"KLC2U3COMZDBRHFADZ3MUSBVWU","additional_properties":{"_id":"6LC6Z6TH4NFP7GKIJDVXNXP2WY"},"content":"In Pictures: Kellie Harrington savours another golden moment as she makes Olympic history","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"VRRD5D3GKZG4RGEYT6GZW7Y7AU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074682},"content":"If there was a signature performance, it was the semi-final against Beatrice Ferreira of Brazil. Ferreira is a professional world champion who was out for revenge after Harrington had beaten her in Tokyo. But though it was a virtual tie going into the final round, Harrington produced a masterclass of movement and hitting to launch herself into the final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NE3HZ3HJMRE6HISAYDJ2EUI2GM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038542},"content":"When she got there, she built an unassailable lead over the first two rounds and kept us all safe from heart attacks. It meant that between Tokyo and Paris, her full record read: Two Olympics, Two gold medals, eight fights, eight wins, for a combined score of 36-4 on all judges’ cards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DIRWOUMZSNEMLGFGPVAPAOC3FU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038543},"content":"She is immortal. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Muireann Duffy"}},"name":"Muireann Duffy"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"Our countdown of the 25 moments that defined women’s sport in Ireland this year"},"display_date":"2024-12-15T13:02:44.606Z","headlines":{"basic":"The top 25 women’s sporting moments of the year: top spot revealed with Katie Taylor, Rhasidat Adeleke and Kellie Harrington featuring","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"RJRNMNWN2RBZPAXU46HL35OYHE","auth":{"1":"02a0e639f68bf5c96f93239c3c81ca8213de5f2682853df450d3579a75ca3ea5"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/RJRNMNWN2RBZPAXU46HL35OYHE.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/14/a-stellar-year-for-irish-women-in-sport-kellie-rhasidat-katie-mona-and-so-much-more/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/boxing","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Boxing"}}}},{"_id":"IFXFVMGJEFC2BEOOQKEKGHNSVA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":87,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/133f02f2-4906-40c6-86ed-acc81715143d/versions/1733676139/media/6fc4daab9096520ca2edb93c08b698c8_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/12/08/nick-griggs-wins-silver-in-u23-race-at-european-cross-country-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"JFIVIEGQ7VAZ5LDNF5FUVGBZ5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733673242336},"content":"Tyrone’s Nick Griggs has won silver for Ireland in the men’s U23 event at the European Cross Country Championships in Antalya, Turkey.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X7F24RUXJJF5BDYHV2T6C3Y5PE","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 19-year-old made a late move to challenge for gold but narrowly missed out, crossing the line in 18.28, one second behind Britain’s Will Warnicoat, whose compatriot David Stone took bronze.","type":"text"},{"_id":"56XKJVDBLZESVOKVVKAUVPB5AA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Speaking after the race, Griggs described himself as the “nearly-man at these championships”, having earned two silver and one bronze at the event in recent years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HP5UFE3RWJDB3OKDEPIFN2C53A","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Everyone wants to go out and win gold ... but I’m happy and I think it’s something I’ll appreciate as I get older,” said Griggs.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BVQB3BAHTZDS3L5GBHQOZ43GN4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I love these championships and it’s a special one for me. I always like to step up and perform at my best when I have the Irish vest on. I knew it was a long home straight and not to make any moves too early, but the best man won on the day and one of these years I will win at these championships.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVCOIAJZNFGCXLRWY4BUWX6F24","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the women’s U23 race, Laura Mooney earned Ireland’s second top-10 finish of the day, crossing the line in seventh.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Muireann Duffy"}},"name":"Muireann Duffy"}]},"description":{"basic":"Tryone runner narrowly missed out on gold in Turkey"},"display_date":"2024-12-08T16:37:06.614Z","headlines":{"basic":"Nick Griggs wins silver in U23 race at European Cross Country Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"4KPHYWJHIYTGU4N6CDWFYX6H7M","auth":{"1":"2064e09fdbea74e16c1c85c3ed1beb006f062674858352241b5f5d1d4f92b60c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4KPHYWJHIYTGU4N6CDWFYX6H7M.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/12/08/nick-griggs-wins-silver-in-u23-race-at-european-cross-country-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"Q4G2IF4SXVDKJPWVFZXACAET7Y","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":991,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/1859e8dd-7cd8-4188-8030-54296c484099/versions/1732894086/media/523015459911082da761683a1fb82d8a_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/tennis/2024/11/30/conor-nilands-the-racket-is-the-best-sports-book-in-a-year-dominated-by-autobiographies/","content_elements":[{"_id":"LTKY4SVQHJDGLFBENPT66TYHQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218637},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>The Best</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"QN6QDAYMLJDYNAWJKLUECCLDZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218638},"content":"<u><b>The Racket by Conor Niland and Gavin Cooney (Penguin, €15.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"T2NWODWUHZF5PN7MO34GXGVFEI","additional_properties":{"_id":"5OXDPQ6CZNGPFBIM4FUIB6254I"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"EAN677ZKUBF6DF54CEMCMMPXTY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218639},"content":"We have had some brilliant Irish sports books over the past decade, without having all that many stone cold classics. This is a stone cold classic. The story of Conor Niland’s life in professional tennis, told along with Gavin Cooney of The 42, recently became the third Irish book ever to win the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. And deservedly so.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LIPELKNKRRBBFL5RTJBANJMJSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218640},"content":"Niland is the best Irish tennis player of the open era. He was born six weeks after Roger Federer – not for nothing is the book subtitled On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation – and the other 99%. The story, then, is one of getting closer than almost everyone on the planet to the sport’s gilded inner sanctum without ever quite making it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MMDC5ERAXBGQFBPRGH4QFBYQCQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218641},"content":"Some of it would break your heart. The drip-drip of him throwing away his one match at Wimbledon after leading 4-1 in the final set is harrowing, all the more so because the prize for winning would have been a Centre Court match against Federer. The travel, the injuries, the grimly observed differences between the haves and have-nots – all of it would grind anyone down.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7NUQ6YQRP5DDPJAVZHJAXT4G3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218642},"content":"But this is no misery lit adventure. It’s very funny throughout because Niland and Cooney have packed a lifetime’s absurdity in here too. Like the time he played a set against the 15-year-old son of one of this sponsors, the weirdest match of his life. “Am I really allowed to beat up on my sponsor’s son? Or will he wonder why he’s spending his money on a guy who can’t beat his son easily?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AXPCU2NTC5HZFNTTCUNI6A5W4I","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218643},"content":"Niland retired in 2012, injuries finally calling a halt. The fact that he has let a decade pass before writing this book has done it a world of good. The tone isn’t bitter or maudlin – Niland has more perspective than that. He has painted a wonderfully detailed picture of a world most sports fans know next-to-nothing about and kept his sanity while doing so. That’s a win, all by itself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XXMVENZ5CBEC7CT3CFDRFTJAZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218644},"content":"<u><b>Obsessed by Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Reilly (Penguin, €24.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"3ZJYIDVQQ5BSTDQSWRCJ7M6DFA","additional_properties":{"_id":"EO6FGPFXLZFRJMGQ537GN3MG7U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"MRF4QB2UYVE2NM54LUIB2JNI3Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218645},"content":"There is a fantastic tension that runs throughout <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/johnny-sexton/\" target=\"_blank\">Johnny Sexton</a>’s autobiography, made all the better for the fact that he probably would have got away without dwelling on it at all. On the one hand, he was (is) a demonic competitor, a relentless setter of standards, a person who calls out deficiencies when he sees them. On the other, that doesn’t always make for a particularly pleasant person to be around.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPP44OW6HFBTVPSGWWIOG2ZFD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218646},"content":"In someone else’s hands, that side of his character could have been dealt with in a single chapter of a book that, let’s not forget, chronicles one of the greatest ever Irish sporting careers. Sexton and Peter O’Reilly could have thrown in a couple of anecdotes of him losing the rag, leavened it all with a bit of self-deprecation and moved right along to telling everyone about his drop goal against France in Paris.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WF37N3XB4JH25D43KDMC2OZKG4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218647},"content":"But what makes this such a rewarding read is that fact that Sexton is willing to paint himself in an often unflattering light. His spikiness, his abrasive nature, his unwillingness to float along – these are a feature of his make-up, not a bug in the system. So much of the book is him wrestling with this side of himself. How did he get like this? Why does he have to be this way?","type":"text"},{"_id":"2ZKCU2MIHVC3POXAXEGQG25DFY","additional_properties":{"_id":"W4PYHJY4BJDJZLKVPNK6ZG7BJE"},"content":"Obsessed. The Autobiography by Johnny Sexton: One of the best Irish sports books ever written","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"R2A52XEAJBCGDJPVGYYPLTG4EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218648},"content":"“Be yourself everyone – except you, Johnny,” was <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/andy-farrell/\" target=\"_blank\">Andy Farrell</a>’s instruction at one point, making it clear to Sexton that he had to change his nature as Ireland captain, become more of a chameleon, work out who he can’t lose the rag with and who needs to be spoken to more softly. In the next breath, Sexton growled at John Cooney for a mistake in training but later rang him to apologise – “Though it went against every fibre of my being”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7ERBXONWKRGHLJGVKW3OJKV5UM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218649},"content":"The push-and-pull of that, the constant unsparing questioning of himself, lifts this book above the vast majority of the autobiographies of his contemporaries. A brilliant portrait of one of Ireland’s most fascinating people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZPMZNNSHFECFPK2S3DA7HT6RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218650},"content":"<u><b>My Story by Joe Canning and Vincent Hogan (Gill Books, €21.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6HAXHRPFUZBNBEJQVCHM3B5DWI","additional_properties":{"_id":"Q2M6K7KI7JF6VDQODF5E7SCJ54"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"T6FR676VXRDFFGH3V7IWF4PNLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218651},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/joe-canning/\" target=\"_blank\">Joe Canning</a>’s father, Seán, has the best line in the former Galway hurler’s autobiography. At one stage, Canning is writing about the fact that he has kept a number of critical articles and headlines on his phone, years after they were written. He accepts that this doesn’t really say anything good about his ability to let things go.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WGID42VM3NADNHUQ56PZ2RQ24U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218652},"content":"“My father has this expression when he hears me giving out,” Canning writes. “‘Christ Joe, everybody can’t be a prick!’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PEH5QJMPRFI5OHDWO2T5Q3GMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218653},"content":"This is not to say that Canning’s book is a whingefest or an exercise in score-settling. It’s not that at all. The picture of Canning that emerges from his autobiography is of a man who has always known that his talent would mean finding an accommodation with the outside world – and one whose instinct is to feel uneasy about striking that bargain.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HOJQHVQGOJFMVJKACDW6K67CZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218654},"content":"Consequently, there is a sometimes contradictory sense about him. He has always battled to retain his own privacy and to keep his head generally down. But at the same time, he’s not one bit shy about loading up both barrels and picking off targets when he feels the need.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HH7WMH7WVNDHDGUMFTAKLODTBI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218655},"content":"Ger Loughnane gets a clip or two unloaded on him here, various clubs and county board members in Galway as well. Even Micheál Donoghue and his backroom, the men with whom Canning won his All-Ireland – catch a few strays in the book’s closing chapter, on account of them taking over Dublin and coaching against Galway in the championship.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L2XX2H5S4FEJ3B5TMJXDTV7C3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218656},"content":"Expertly put together along with Vincent Hogan, the picture of Canning that comes out of the book is someone who got everything out of his hurling career while staying true to himself along the way. That was never a given.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KKEKOL5G4BB2XAYBNBHGCG4WJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218657},"content":"<u><b>Whatever It Takes by Richie Hogan and Fintan O’Toole (Gill Books, €21.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BQLLHPV6NNANXINX2BJEOYOQOE","additional_properties":{"_id":"4LOINULKFBD6RGPQXXTKLBAM6Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"L54HZ2YG5ZGLJJDLPTZP6MDQCM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218658},"content":"Richie Hogan doesn’t have a lot of time for waffle or flannel or even really shades of grey. Right throughout this pacy, enjoyable autobiography that he has written with the help of Fintan O’Toole of The 42, Hogan is at all times admirably straightforward. You prepare, you hurl, you win or you lose. You go again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WHYSCQA5EJGTPIDT2TWJKWAGQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218659},"content":"That’s why it feels such a betrayal towards the end of his years with Kilkenny when, after a few dire seasons with injury, he is back fit and firing but can’t get on the pitch. It doesn’t seem to matter that he is lighting up training – Brian Cody and his management can’t be convinced he’ll last the pace. Hogan has it out with Cody – he eventually gets on for the last 10 minutes of the 2022 final and scores his last ever point in Croke Park.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WAVANMH26VEPZDFE6ICQBBKENM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218660},"content":"That Hogan’s back dogged him throughout the second half of his career will come as surprise to nobody. But the extent of it and the lengths he had to go to in order to be able to train and play is jaw-dropping at times. His back spasms have left him lying on the ground in the middle of the street or panned out on the cold floor of a dressingroom toilet, just to be able to get in position for throw-in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W2OYPRFKDJAEPI5ZBNV5UJ5FLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218661},"content":"His relationship with Cody is fascinating. He’s not shy about expressing his frustration that Kilkenny never developed along with the game’s tactical changes and confronts the Kilkenny boss on a few occasions in the book with the sort of candour that others would have baulked at.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C7NPDEUMFJBQ7ITPC3ALMVMHQI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218662},"content":"Throw in some very funny moments – Cha Fitzpatrick’s Cancún adventures would make for a screenplay in and of themselves – and it’s a highly entertaining addition to the Kilkenny canon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6OS7IWXRM5H65NKAATNWOOTQCM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218663},"content":"<u><b>States Of Play by Miguel Delaney (Seven Dials, €15.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNPGCL2IWFA5LABBT76UYAW2S4","additional_properties":{"_id":"GPTVHHATINC23NQXEE6XIEVTUU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RUEBPOSWDBEKZOQWSC6G6J3ATI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218664},"content":"The boiling frog analogy can feel a little overplayed these days but sometimes needs must. The hijacking of professional football by corporate greed and state-aided finance has been such a gradual process that it can often be difficult to assess exactly where we stand with it all. That’s what makes a book like this so necessary.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YF26YOBFQBG3TKQJPW5M34E5HE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218665},"content":"Miguel Delaney is the chief football writer for the Independent in London and his book is an exhaustive account of how the game got itself into state it’s in. It charts the rise of uber-capitalism within soccer, initially in England but throughout Europe and the world as well. The changes over the past 30 years, from the setting up of the Premier League to the involvement of nation states are all in here, expertly gathered into a coherent timeline.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CMLAUX6N65E4DA47NMPIGNOALM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218666},"content":"How Sportswashing Took Over Football is the subtitle but it feels like the term is there as a hook, rather than the whole. While the story of the involvement of the oil nations of Middle East is told here in great detail, it’s only one part of the overall disaster. Football was never meant to be about geopolitics and yet here we are.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BSQNGCJAEJFHXN7TAZRKRCT5XE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218667},"content":"“There can sadly be no illusions about [football’s] role in the 21st century,” Delaney writes towards the end. “It has been a force for autocracy, populism, vested interests, commercialism, hyper-capitalism, ultra-liberalism, the fragmentation of the working classes, the overclass, culture wars, tribalism, soft power and hard power ... It doesn’t need to be like this, though.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AIVNU2IMDJCXZLGRSZTMLVL3XI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218668},"content":"Football needs this book to be read and heard. Part-investigation, part-primal scream, it’s a monumental piece of sports journalism.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTKY4SVQHJDGLFBENPT66TYHQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218637},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>The Rest</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"EADASPVDK5HTLAHNM5MFCWVTOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218671},"content":"With integration (apparently) coming down the tracks, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the LGFA is as good a time as any for <b>Unladylike by Hayley Kilgallon (New Island, €23.99) </b>to hit the shelves. An in-depth history of women’s Gaelic football, it is rich in detail and beautifully illustrated.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QNGV2XL2TVFT5F2VTYOTAFE3KA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218672},"content":"On a completely different historical plane is <b>Lost Gaels by Peadar Thompson (Merrion, €28.99)</b>. A meticulous and heartfelt work, it is a collection of accounts of the lives of GAA members who died during the Troubles. Like all matters to do with the conflict, it is a complex book about which readers are entitled to have mixed feelings. A vital slice of oral history, all the same.","type":"text"},{"_id":"STFALYRARZCUDCPRBPHHETRJF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218673},"content":"Two other GAA books are worth a look. <b>The Epic Origins of Hurling by Joeys Alumni (MCH, €32.00)</b> is a translation of scholarly Irish work done by Brother Liam Ó Cathnia of St Joseph’s in Fairview, Dublin in the 1980s, tracing the initial stirrings of the game back in the 1700s. And <b>Our Finest Hour by Edwin McGreal (Mayo Books, €28.00)</b> is a phenomenal collection of yarns gathered in across every club in Mayo (47 football and five hurling), each telling the story of the greatest day in their history.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WZVXNKQIIRHP7GPYKMVL7MT6GM","additional_properties":{"_id":"RH2WQ5MOARFIBIRYGEWIJKMEGY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RDNSCO3AERE23DNPMD3QYJ3G4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218674},"content":"On the soccer front, <b>Munichs by David Peace (Faber & Faber, €23.20)</b> is a fictional retelling of the 1958 Munich air crash and its aftermath. Epic in scale and depth, it has been gloriously reviewed in most quarters. Turning real life into a novel isn’t to everyone’s taste – and Peace’s insistence on repetition as a writing flourish can be a bit grating at times. But there’s no denying his sincerity in honouring the men who were lost.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QUUHWDOOOJHVJFJ747TTJ5CVIY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218675},"content":"Elsewhere, two titans of the TV football game have books out. <b>The Hamilton Notes by George Hamilton (Merrion, €22.99)</b> is the great commentator’s follow-up to his 2021 memoir. His sunny, warm character shines through a collection of travelogues, anecdotes and recollections.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HF53VK64FNEQPE5ELICDDWXPH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218676},"content":"In a similar vein, <b>Saturday Afternoon Fever by Jeff Stelling (Headline, €15.99)</b> is a delightful jaunt through the Sky presenter’s career and if the yarns maybe aren’t always as funny as Stelling himself imagines, there’s more than enough of them to keep the whole show rolling along.","type":"text"},{"_id":"53XDJHKRHZBNFDSTU4IRTX6PNU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218677},"content":"This being the 150th year of the IRFU’s existence, a couple of timely skips through history have hit the shelves. <b>Blood And Thunder by Liam O’Callaghan (Penguin, €22.99)</b> is the livelier of them, a deeply-researched social history of the game in Ireland that isn’t afraid to poke at the stuffed shirts that have run the game over the years. <b>Together Standing Tall by John Scally (Gill, €27.99)</b> is a more official affair, an oral history covering the games and players from down the decades.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KFFJ4INJNRFUPAKB7GDWKML2FI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218678},"content":"Next, two very different autobiographies by two very different Irish sports personalities. <b>Bend, Don’t Break by Frank O’Mara (O’Brien, €17.99)</b> is the former middle-distance runner’s story of his fight with Parkinson’s disease. Though it’s a bracing, uncomfortable read at times, you are left in total admiration for O’Mara in his battle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DOWBQ6EF2VGJFKM7RESFYN7Z3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218679},"content":"Davy Russell hasn’t faced serious illness but like most jockeys he’s had no shortage of injury to overcome down the years. They’re a feature of <b>My Autobiography by Davy Russell and Donn McClean (Eriu, €22.00)</b>, along with the people he’s fallen in with and out with over the course of a long career. Russell has always been one of the most interesting jockeys in the weigh room and the sense you get here is that he leaves it with very few regrets.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2VVTPGKIE5BPBGZTXTIYBBFRLM","additional_properties":{"_id":"GTGG5KL36JCYBONA6PV5SI3YTU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SP36BI3MGZA2XJZBTGECWBZ2YY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218680},"content":"To finish, some books that are mercifully NOT autobiographies. <b>Death Of A Boxer by Pete Carvill (Biteback, €23.20)</b> is not quite This Bloody Mary Is The Last Thing I Own but it’s fishing in similar waters to Jonathan Rendall’s 1997 classic. Carvill interrogates boxing and specifically he goes rooting around in the psyche of those who get into the ring, even though they know it can end in their death. Even if it’s a little disjointed at times, it’s always thoughtful and always probing, chasing the elusive why.","type":"text"},{"_id":"77IJR6ZO3VDGXF4YNAVEH4OVRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218681},"content":"<b>A Farewell To The Fairways by Dermot Gilleece (Red Stripe Press, €19.99)</b> is a gorgeous sign-off from the doyen of Irish golf writers. Gilleece graced the pages of just about every paper in town over the course of six decades and this is his reflection on it all. The words are exacting and precise now as they ever were, needless to say.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CMJRM72JIBC7TDKAAWFWLXULAQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218682},"content":"On which note, <b>The Year’s Best Sports Writing 2024 edited by Jane McManus (Triumph Books, €24.00)</b> isn’t to be missed. Get it for the Sally Jenkins masterpiece on Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert – Bitter Rivals. Beloved Friends. Survivors – which genuinely worth the cover price all by itself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTKY4SVQHJDGLFBENPT66TYHQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218637},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>The Kids</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HSCMGTWYTJBNXHVKXVGVVOUYAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218685},"content":"Never has there been a greater spread of sports books aimed at young people, from illustrated histories to biographies to YA novels and beyond. <b>The Story of Irish Rugby by Gerard Siggins (O’Brien, €19.99)</b> is the perfect primer for a young person just getting into the game, artfully written by Siggins, author of the popular Rugby Spirit series. Beautifully illustrated by Graham Corcoran, it’s a must for any rugby mad youngster.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MLRSKZ6KWNGQDJKXNCXOGKDOPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218686},"content":"<b>Ireland’s Call by Paul O’Flynn (Gill, €14.99) </b>is a lightly fictionalised retelling of the 2024 Grand Slam, aimed at the 8-11 year-old age range. It keeps to the general story of the Six Nations campaign and scatters a few imagined conversation between players and coaches throughout.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M5XFAKKDRNCR7DGYXYMDFOR6ZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218687},"content":"And for younger readers – or older ones who want to read to them – <b>‘Twas The Match Before Christmas by Julianne McKeigue (O’Brien, €16.99)</b> is a lot of fun. A reworking of the most famous Christmas poem of them all, it’s set in Croke Park and illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald. Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"Johnny Sexon, Joe Canning and Richie Hogan all have highly readable offerings and Miguel Delaney’s book on the hijacking of modern football is not to be missed"},"display_date":"2024-11-30T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sports Books of the Year: Conor Niland’s The Racket the best in a year dominated by autobiographies","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"HSQIAFL7CBDJFPMAUYCWFBEUM4","auth":{"1":"57955f1488272f7f96f48ea653fd839cbf4942161db89faa479143c41e53601b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/HSQIAFL7CBDJFPMAUYCWFBEUM4.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Tennis"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/tennis/2024/11/30/conor-nilands-the-racket-is-the-best-sports-book-in-a-year-dominated-by-autobiographies/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/tennis","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Tennis"}}}},{"_id":"QBD5GHWUNZB2JDXL5GOI3U4ZZA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":205,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/77b1db9e-88d1-43fa-9fe8-067f1254ee57/versions/1732909311/media/94f94bdd6c381651217fa35d4ee58eb5_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/29/jakob-ingebrigtsens-father-charged-after-threat-to-beat-him-to-death/","content_elements":[{"_id":"ETVFCV4XIBGWNBUHUWBVIW7OOA","additional_properties":{},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/jakob-ingebrigtsen/\" target=\"_blank\">Jakob Ingebrigtsen</a>’s father will stand trial next year on charges that include abusing the double Olympic champion and threatening to “beat him to death”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VAONE5RUMVBZJBXGHSTHQTQ5AY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ingebrigtsen, who won gold medals over 1,500m in Tokyo and 5,000m in Paris, also alleges that his father and former coach, Gjert, “punched and kicked” him over a 10-year period from when he was a schoolboy.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2MSF5YKQ7RDRBPWER2JMNWDFSU","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Norwegian newspaper VG said it had seen the indictment and that state prosecutors have charged Gjert with beating two of his children at a time when he was also their coach.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SRRD2WGNCRF2PLQHDMN4PU4YT4","additional_properties":{},"content":"According to the paper, Gjert is also accused of calling his son a “thug” and a “terrorist”, and threatened to “shame him and knock him out of health”. Ingebrigtsen snr denies the allegations. According to VG, the trial is likely to last about eight weeks, with 30 to 40 witnesses expected to be called.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZA4NGCZBQRG7JLOBHAZCZCDPMU","additional_properties":{},"content":"The assistant attorney Mette Yvonne Larsen added: “This was as expected based on the evidence situation. It is a very serious indictment that extends over a period of many years.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CARQACK4SJASZGRPJJMFIUVOM4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Gjert and his sons became part of a long-running and popular reality television show in Norway, but in 2022 he stepped down as the coach of “Team Ingebrigtsen”, apparently for medical reasons.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VOBBVNUSBRDZPPMA7VZ2WWG6IQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"However, Jakob and his brothers Henrik and Filip – who are also accomplished middle-distance runners – subsequently called on the Norwegian athletics federation to help them avoid Gjert in international events, given their father coaches the 2023 world 1,500m bronze medallist, Narve Gilje Nordås.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YEFDOK2NRZCLXJ764Z47O6E3VA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We have grown up with a father who has been very aggressive and controlling and who has used physical violence and threats as part of his upbringing,” the brothers wrote. “We still feel discomfort and fear which has been in us since childhood.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"J562VDNT3BEGJPEYJPYPLJBP3Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"According to VG, Jakob has since told investigators about the alleged physical and mental abuse both towards himself and his siblings.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JTIFJVTTWNGMNHPRDQZPMYM2IM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“He has explained that he has been hit in the head several times by his father, Gjert,” the paper says. “In one situation, the abuse lasted for 15 to 30 minutes, the running star has explained to the police. Another episode concerns kicking. The situations Jakob Ingebrigtsen has explained in questioning extend over a number of years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGSHPOG52FGU3MCSBXJKLTAGV4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Several other family members have given explanations that support what Jakob Ingebrigtsen has told in questioning, according to VG’s information.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"T2HR52ESYZGHTEO3O4J65VQNKA","additional_properties":{},"content":"John Christian Elden and Heidi Reisvang, the lawyers acting for Gjert, maintain their client rejects the accusations and says “the decision on prosecution has been rushed”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VKU4MRDST5B2VHDCKQU5WRUNLI","additional_properties":{},"content":"In comments made last year, Gjert added: “The statements they make are baseless. I have never used violence against my children. That I have weaknesses as a father, and have been too much of a coach, is a realisation I have also come to, albeit far too late.” - Guardian","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sean Ingle"}]},"description":{"basic":"Gjert Ingebrigtsen used to coach Jakob and his brothers"},"display_date":"2024-11-29T18:18:10.095Z","headlines":{"basic":"Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s father charged after threat to ‘beat him to death’ ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"OZBLG62RSQ5OT2VBWT7XKR6XQ4","auth":{"1":"4221442f605193d3a11c8c8342742a891a9514619f0894401e41a9da758cbd62"},"focal_point":{"x":1739,"y":296},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OZBLG62RSQ5OT2VBWT7XKR6XQ4.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/29/jakob-ingebrigtsens-father-charged-after-threat-to-beat-him-to-death/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"G24KP7LDSBBO5JUOTBJYYSDF3M","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":829,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/539f9165-1a54-4053-b528-c104d7e5c49d/versions/1732272511/media/e2cf7ae506a15e6ba525b76df89c757e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/23/the-bird-shaped-obsession-that-drives-james-crombie-one-of-irelands-best-sports-photographers/","content_elements":[{"_id":"WPTQVDNLEZCPJJVT7A6GYB3NZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571234},"content":"James Crombie knew nothing about birds when this all started. Couldn’t have told you a starling from a swallow. When a friend told him he should take some pictures of the murmurations around Lough Ennell, his first job was to go away and google what the hell a murmuration was.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YDXBPRGVFBHPJP5NM7MIMKUTKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571235},"content":"That was four years ago. Ireland was in the maw of the pandemic and the normal run of his day job as a sports photographer had slowed to a crawl. He was looking for something to divert himself and also to distract his buddy, who had recently been through a family tragedy. And so began, in December 2020, a project that would produce the most famous photograph he is ever likely to take.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7YHHZAMPCNB43OVG4KHQMIXGPA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571236},"content":"Crombie’s astonishing bird-shaped murmuration didn’t just go viral, it went global. It appeared first on the front page of The Irish Times on March 4th, 2021 and from there, it went everywhere. To parts known and unknown – National Geographic, CNN, The New Scientist, everywhere else.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KZNPGYDFNBHR5PGRKXD4HZYCOI","additional_properties":{"_id":"2LWP7EWSTFATFKEGLSXGGOGWIY"},"content":"Lough Ennell murmurations seen on video just as James Crombie captures the famous photo","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"I3REI6Z5INC7FAQZQGTK4ZF2KQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571238},"content":"“In the three years since I took it, I’d say not a day goes by without someone mentioning it to me,” Crombie says. “I’ve taken pictures since then that I personally think are better but they will never get the attention that that picture got. I go to the UK and run into photographers over there and they go, ‘Here’s the Bird Man’. Every weekend, it happens somewhere.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZKGCAZR765DNBEXXXWW25XDJUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571239},"content":"“Which is fine and great – it’s not as if I’m hiding from it. I’m publishing a fecking book off the back of it! But it is funny trying to live up to it. And I don’t think I ever will or ever can, really. I spent the year after I took it half-annoyed because I was going, ‘How am I going to get the next thing that causes that sort of reaction?’ I felt this pressure to deliver something else as good as it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"6OAGE3QJUJATZILFW5VIH2KU6U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571240},"content":"But as everyone who ever did anything good knows, reaction is an unstable pleasure. It’s a dopamine hit. It doesn’t last and it can’t be why you do it. Crombie took The Bird photo on his 50th night going to Lough Ennell. He kept going back for another 250 nights over the following three years. Why?","type":"text"},{"_id":"3PI6MUVQPKXVYUPQAJVZYBHDVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"2L4SUKSP55C7NCO4QYRJJJESQ4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JT3P5DQV3ZHVFAYL6VEZ54664U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571241},"content":"Well, he did it because it became a way to spend time with his friend. He did it because he made another friend, a local farmer, along the way and the three of them became ever so slightly obsessed with these birds. He did it because it was a change of pace too, because there’s only so many kicks you can get from the rolling schedule of live matches.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BDFEAKMND5CZ5OQW4VSOMRWKJA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571242},"content":"“It’s funny because I get completely consumed by sport. Last weekend I was at the Aviva and there were 50,000 rugby fans there. And then I was in Twickenham with 82,000 people and then I was in Cardiff with 52,000 people. So at the weekend, I worked in front of nearly 200,000 people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3XPKJFAWRRDQPMCKCVLSQBNZYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571243},"content":"“And then on the Tuesday night I went to the lake where there was nobody. It was quiet and peaceful and I just thought, I love the contrast in that. I kind of need that as well. Because you go from game to game, they often just become the same thing at a different venue. I’m as mad into it as I ever was but I know it’s not possible to produce amazing photographs from every event you go to. I know that sometimes you do a match in cruise control.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FIMLZ7OPJG2RJDZ2VLCCRFNZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571244},"content":"“So to go down to the lake and just be there, knowing that nobody is going to care what I produce or if I don’t produce anything, I like that. I’m there on my own, I’m not on the phone, there’s no pressure.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JLGWYMQDGZD6LCL7BWRZWIBX3A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571245},"content":"Crombie has won plenty of awards down the years, twice taking the overall PPI Photographer of the Year gong. And yet, much like with the starlings, he ended up being a snapper almost by happenstance. He did an aptitude test in secondary school and somehow the career guidance answer that came back said he should be a fishmonger. He ended up in IT and went to London for three years, working in a bank. That was never going to be it, either.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5SNCONO2LVHJY4RC7QVZUAJAUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"5PGTKKJSEZFXJMJDMSLUFIRGNA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CCDEAOW35FEXNFL7ZOXPZ3IXQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571246},"content":"All the while, he was interested in photography, as a hobby as much as anything. He came back to Ireland and tootled about in a couple of other jobs for a while until a chance came along to take part in a reality TV series called No Experience Required. The idea was that various companies – among them the Inpho sports photography agency – would audition people who had never worked in a particular area before and at the end, take them on to the staff for six months.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HT73SWP3MNGIFODXJTSM5TW7KA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571247},"content":"“I always joke with Billy [Stickland, founder of Inpho] that if I hadn’t won that show, I’d be earning 300 grand a year now and have a second villa down in Spain. But no, I chose sport and photography instead. And it’s been amazing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"J63UGHRMHZG4NMYDLHGSYMRQ5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571248},"content":"“I would say it took me 10 years to get comfortable with it. I was obsessed from the start. For most of that first six months, I was sitting in the office obsessed with how the other lads were cropping pictures, obsessed with settings, obsessed with the equipment. Eventually, near the end, one of them said to me, ‘Here, are you not going to go out and take any pictures? They won’t keep you on if you don’t.’","type":"text"},{"_id":"O5Y6JHVT7RHR5LEM2E4HGFT7EA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571249},"content":"“It nearly hadn’t occurred to me that I could go out and take them, weird as that sounds. I half-thought I had to stay in the office. So I went out every night to a different football match – Dublin championship, intermediate games, junior games, down to Wicklow for more games then. I still have those pictures and they’re brutal. But that’s how it started.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2WBDUKYNAZFAVGKTUWNKKOY7SI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571250},"content":"The bulk of the job is matches. Rugby, soccer, hurling, football, wash, rinse, repeat. He brings an analogue radio with him to every match – digital radio commentary is always about 40 seconds behind the action. It means that he can be looking around during a game, staying engaged but still able to find pictures away from the pitch.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5Z5KWLJQGVFRBLH3ABMB27QFNM","additional_properties":{"_id":"4WK5YTBCLJBCXPOVFBWEBPZUAQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SX3G4MQSENFHPDC6JHRXIALT7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571251},"content":"“I think you need to keep some element of nervousness when you go to games. You don’t want to be too comfortable. If Dublin or Limerick are attacking in the last play of an All-Ireland final, your nerves have to be high because you don’t want to miss the shot.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M56DQVFNCZHSRFV5WIXMY3L5VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571252},"content":"“I remember this year with Clare and Cork in the All-Ireland final, the Clare guy pulled the Cork guy’s jersey – I got a great shot of it. The jersey is nearly off him. I really thought, ‘How is that not a free?’ This is going to be the pivotal shot. And it didn’t become the pivotal shot because the free wasn’t given.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L7HYUXRLKBE5TL3ANMYUONBF6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571253},"content":"“Those last shots are where you have to be nervous. I’d say something like that happens maybe 10 times in a year. You know it, you can feel it in the stadium, the last play is so important and you don’t want to mess it up. You need that little bit of edge.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GINBGRWVKZCDHFL25TXYHDGOKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571254},"content":"The murmuration project was entirely without edge, of course. Which was kind of the point. Crombie is married to Ann – they’ve been together since they were teenagers and have four kids. Having a day job that takes him away at weekends and sometimes for weeks at a time is bad enough. Heading off to hang out with a couple of thousand starlings for 300 nights over four years requires a fair bit of understanding on the home front.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OFBPU25H6VBFRCA6OWVP4DLRZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571255},"content":"“I would definitely say it’s selfish on my part. I’m gone a lot with sport in the first place. And then to find another reason to be away, it’s a lot. But I met my wife when we were 17. We know each other that long. She manages me, as much as people would have managed Paul McGrath back in the day. Occasionally she’ll say, ‘Right, cop on here.’ But she knows me better than anyone.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2O726S5CQRCTRLICMWPKWS6ZJE","additional_properties":{"_id":"RGDSYRHTXJA5VPGTIHHQ76YMGQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UTPUWOGV4NBT5DTXS2YT3K7MKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571256},"content":"When the book arrived a couple of weeks back, Crombie’s initial reaction surprised him a little. Delighted and all as he is with it, he couldn’t help being sad at the whole thing coming to an end. Or at least an end of sorts.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TAFXVJWI45FQNG2NYRHSGNLDLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571257},"content":"The starlings have been coming to Lough Ennell to roost in winter for as far back as anyone can remember. It’s about half an hour’s drive from his house. He’ll never not be able to head out with his camera to shoot them. Will he ever snap another picture like the one he did three years ago? Probably not. Will he ever stop being asked about it. Equally probably not.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PRS4ORNROZAGLOCVHHYO6KOT7M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571258},"content":"One answer that has never been properly nailed down is the why of it. Why did those thousands of starlings form themselves into the shape of a bird of prey that evening in April 2021? Murmurations are for protection, that much is well known. But why that particular shape for that particular millisecond? Pure coincidence? Or something deeper?","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRV42PVP3FBF7HLACXOQJPLKJA","additional_properties":{"_id":"GCCIAYMVNBBKZKOJJ6FOXMYT3A"},"content":"How Ireland won relay gold in June 2024: Ten photographs that tell the story of a golden night for Irish athletics","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6YJALFHY3FCFNI2V6EIM5ISCNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571259},"content":"“I’d like to think it’s something deeper,” Crombie says. “There was another shape that looked like a water wren that same night, within three or four minutes of the one I got. But I’m pretty sure it’s just by chance. I’ve had comments over the years saying it’s a sign of the end of the world, praising Allah, praising God, whatever else. I don’t know.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZBH6HLWSENCPVC3FO7YGWPMCNI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571260},"content":"“I don’t think they did it on purpose. If I was standing at a slightly different angle, it wouldn’t have looked like a bird. We just happened to be at the exact perfect angle. So I don’t know. It was probably just pure chance.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5GFT2JUJNVFYZP2SKHN6ERPVSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571261},"content":"♦ <i>Murmurations by James Crombie is published by Lilliput Press</i>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QPPNCSYXZJCMJJMHPPFHFGBFBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571263},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><u><b>The art of sports photography: How It Works</b></u></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WAK347OGJ5H2LOGAVRX6YNAKLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571264},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Fionn McGivern (2) watches Kilkenny v Clare, July 2023</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"C3ZS43T4DFGZVJL7NZT2UAMP7I","additional_properties":{"_id":"TANYOHGPHZGN7HFGMJIPNK5ZK4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GY6OIZLS5VAUJJDU7OTXJSORCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571265},"content":"I was watching this little kid for about seven or eight minutes while the game was going on. I was very relaxed that day. I was looking for something different and I remember spotting that little kid out of the corner of my eye. I had the game going on in my little analogue radio so I knew I could turn and get anything if I needed to.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KQXRS2RJTVF5NMEXUWDDZRMD5A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571266},"content":"But this little lad was just there and I followed him for about seven or eight minutes, maybe nine. Just waiting for him to get into that perfect stance, the way he is in the shot. I got a great buzz out of it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6RVSHG7E5CHTGM65P6ZFZSXJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571267},"content":"The kid was from Antrim. His parents were massive Kilkenny fans. They were down for the game. Somebody found them afterwards and did a story on them and they ended up getting tickets for the final because of it. The kid ended up being interviewed on Kilkenny radio. That one was good fun.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TERUBBZQXBBW5OJGWMT7TATVMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571268},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Supporter at Covid-era club championship match, September 2020</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WKYH26EULJC53CBW5ZMXK5X7DQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"7DJA2QWJBRBK5DUT6ZA6FBTSDM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZPRHSIW7UZBHRLWTFZ5TIZJZUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571269},"content":"Sport had just started back but no crowds were allowed at games yet. This was a Roscommon semi-final between St Brigid’s and Boyle. I was taking pictures of it when I saw this head poking up over the wall behind the goal. So I said I’d go out and have a look.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OGSLXOEIQFCPTPTRDCXSFC5Z6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571270},"content":"I got out into this graveyard behind Dr Hyde Park. This guy had carried his ladder all the way through the graveyard and propped it up. I didn’t want to disturb him in case he fell off so I took a few snaps and happened to get this one just as Boyle scored.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SWVPBHFZUFGJRNZHRQRS54QIIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571271},"content":"I went over to him then and asked could I publish the photo. “Oh Jesus no,” he said. “I’m not supposed to be here.” There were still restrictions at that stage on how far from your house you were allowed to go. But I said I wouldn’t use his name and would only show him from the back so he was okay with it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7MJDUH5N6FDD3IWQ4VG52CWUQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571272},"content":"A few weeks later, his daughter got on to me and asked could she get the original. Apparently it went viral and everyone recognised him. He ended up doing a two-page spread in the Roscommon Herald.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JUQWNP6PJVGELOVE3YBLGZB4PQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571273},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Connacht bench at a Challenge Cup game in Siberia, January 2016</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OU3RZX3H5VFNPJ345V6ZT5KFK4","additional_properties":{"_id":"BOQMHUSUFVAD3LPVGMOXNYIVAM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AFPKXQKOWRFEFOGF62HR3CMJMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571274},"content":"This was a mad adventure. Enisei-STM were the first Russian club to play in the Challenge Cup and Connacht went to Siberia for the game. We were told there could be up to 30,000 at it – we turned up and there were about 400 there. It was the coldest I’ve ever been, the harshest conditions I’ve ever seen a match be played in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3T2VO6K5ENF6DN4MCXLU5LLDRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571275},"content":"I had about a dozen layers on me and I was still frozen solid. I saw the Connacht bench from the far side of the pitch but it took me about 10 minutes to walk around because I nearly seized up with the cold. They had blankets and hot water bottles and hot chocolates for when they came off the pitch.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XLAHJY22SZAXDDO3E25X46IWSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571276},"content":"It took us about a week to get home. The charter plane Connacht had hired hadn’t moved for four days and was completely frozen solid when we got back to it. So we had no way of getting out of there. By the time we did, our five-day visas had run out. We had to fly to Moscow to get our visas renewed just to leave the country. Players got processed first, officials next. I’d say I was pretty much the last one out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"It started as a pandemic distraction but ended up producing probably the most famous photo the Westmeath man will ever take - the murmuration that went around the world"},"display_date":"2024-11-23T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"The bird-shaped obsession that drives James Crombie, one of Ireland’s best sports photographers ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","auth":{"1":"9c9585a82889598a9b724aeaa7c117136eb5fae92b5527345c4515158f27bbc0"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI.jpg"},"lead_art":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","type":"image"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","auth":{"1":"9c9585a82889598a9b724aeaa7c117136eb5fae92b5527345c4515158f27bbc0"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/23/the-bird-shaped-obsession-that-drives-james-crombie-one-of-irelands-best-sports-photographers/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/gaelic-games","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Gaelic Games"}}}},{"_id":"TYAQML7CQ5AKXCCDPKRTOEQSWA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":522,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/8ee0858b-98f8-4577-aa1c-e924f007e309/versions/1732135265/media/f4fedd71f1d95521bf623a83a4d29265_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/21/ciara-mageean-i-just-felt-numb-it-wasnt-even-sadness-it-was-just-emptiness/","content_elements":[{"_id":"LN2WJP2YQBE4XCKLL2JQH5MAOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002472},"content":"This is still not easy. Downstairs, the great and good of Irish athletics are gathering for their annual awards, celebrating a year that launched track and field back into the mainstream. In a while, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a> will go and get her gúna on and head down to be feted for the European gold she won in Rome in June. But first, Paris.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2LTNXAG6S5HLROOZ2PVRN2M6VQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002473},"content":"It’s still all just a bit raw. Nothing compared to what it was on that Monday in August when she had to admit defeat and pull out of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic</a> 1,500m. But still enough for her voice to catch a couple of times as we speak, for the devastation she felt to bubble briefly to the surface.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HPBTSBA32JBDFJFHEANZPRYJZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002474},"content":"“Sport is a little microcosm of life,” she explains. “You experience all the emotions other people get throughout their lives all in one little season, or one little sporting career. There’s been a few moments in my life where I’ve felt sheer grief and loss – the loss of my grandmother when I was at university, she died far too young. Whenever Jerry [Kiernan] passed away and I was in Manchester, I wasn’t at home and I hadn’t really had as much of a connection as I always wanted to have. I thought I’d come home and have Jerry the rest of my life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UP3QHK2Z2JENZNZWSACOBDGAVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002475},"content":"“It always feels kind of crass to compare sport to that but it quite often gives you the same emotions. It was grief. The loss of a dream. It’s my life’s work and it’s everything that I’ve put all of my energy into. But also all of those people around me have put their lives and things on pause and on hold to pursue my dreams.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A4UGCZP7LJAXDLU7SRJB535HMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002476},"content":"“It really is a grieving cycle. It’s a loss, a loss of a dream and having to come to that realisation really quickly and so publicly, to have to feel that you need to talk about it ... it’s probably one of the reasons why I needed a little bit of gap and a bit of space because I couldn’t have coherently put a sentence together to tell you remotely how I felt. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know how I felt. I just felt numb. It wasn’t even sadness, it was just emptiness.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTPOC2UYUVCHVFOJVE2NVJXDWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002477},"content":"The Achilles injury that caused her to pull out is something that had been in the post for a while. She reckons she hasn’t run properly pain-free in about eight years. She had surgery on her left ankle when she was 19 and has been carrying the right one for much of the time since. Essentially, it’s genetic bad luck – she has bone spurs that have been jabbing away at her Achilles all this time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EIMQY6E42NF4PEHHMKST4BSYYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002478},"content":"She has been considering surgery for years but the timing was never right. She was running too well to risk it, hitting too many of her targets to throw all the cards in the air and see how they’d fall in the operating theatre. So she lived with it, figuring she would see it out until Paris at least.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5WQKDCWT35DP7CZWU6JSCDTJOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002479},"content":"“I always knew it was a ticking time bomb and that it would go off eventually. I always hoped that it would be at the end of the season. I’ll be honest, I was reflecting on the season and going, ‘At the end of this summer, I’ll get the ankle sorted. I can’t keep going like this.’ But my last training session before the Games, for no reason, in the last rep, it just gave me an extra bit of pain.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ANMCIWKUKOI4OLXNNZMDF3XMEM","additional_properties":{"_id":"CBYHMCLQ6VFDVOL3BKDRTBJ6KE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"4WHCHVMPN5CSLL3INPMZ4SS6TA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002480},"content":"She wasn’t panicking yet. But she could feel this was different from the usual pain she had after a session. She had an MRI and it showed the same as it always shows – the whole area around her ankle was banjaxed but it was hard to distinguish what was old damage and what was new. She flew to Paris and went to the athletes’ village to meet up with the Irish medical team, desperate for something that would get her to the start line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OLVNSFQC6BBMHFH4CVMCPQ2RK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002481},"content":"“I had two cortisone injections down into my ankle. You get a TUE [Therapeutic Use Exemption] from the doc so close to the Games to help you deal with the pain. But any injection with cortisone around the tendon carries its own inherent risk because it can have a degenerative effect on a tendon, particularly your Achilles, and you don’t want that as an athlete.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E6TAWXOYQRD37KNKST247TFIAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002482},"content":"“The doc explained the pros and cons of this to me, giving this in the hope that it might settle it all down but we also didn’t know if it would fix it. Unfortunately, for me, it didn’t and it was no longer an issue of me overcoming pain. The function in my ankle was affected because I couldn’t toe off. I was trying to stride and put my foot down and it was just flat.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"PZQNEKSRSVAE5FVJXU2PTIGQYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002483},"content":"When she tried to run, she could only do 32 seconds for 200 metres. Going into a championship, she would generally be aiming for 28. It was over.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AUHHNIDLUZGNTKSITJJHS37G3I","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002484},"content":"“I had to admit to myself it was no longer an issue of going out and trying to do my best out there. I had to admit that I couldn’t even make myself get around a 1,500m track like this. I sat down with the doc the day before and said was there anything I could do? And he said no and your health is more important. And I said I don’t care! It’s the Olympic Games! But I knew if I toed the line, I wouldn’t have confidence that I would finish the race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X4AHAC5DOZGODP4MBGNKBR627U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002485},"content":"“And so, I came out of the office and sat in the village with Thomas [her boyfriend] and we had a discussion. I knew I had to make my mind up. I sat down and said this is my third Olympic Games and if I don’t toe the line, I am not a three-time Olympian.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IDHUMJ65ZRBSDKCAGMRT5V4JQI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002486},"content":"“Thomas reminded me that I am not here just to show up. If I am coming to the Olympics, I am here to be competitive. I am a fourth-place finisher in the Worlds last year, I am European gold medallist. Make the decision that is best for me. So I decided to withdraw and that was the hardest decision I ever had to make.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LC5PP5NX3NEPBKQ6WKVW6BT7GQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002487},"content":"“I was like, ‘Right I better go and tell the doc and begin whatever process needs to happen to withdraw from an Olympic Games.’ Thomas sat beside me, we had a hug and he said, ‘You’re still European gold medallist from this year, don’t forget that.’","type":"text"},{"_id":"AZWTFSUBVOOZE7S2OFAZTXCIEI","additional_properties":{"_id":"6YTXX2FMWNA7LBEPSNEBNAOJQY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"H7VSWJAQYBDX5HJW5PBZV2ENV4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002488},"content":"“He said that you got your gold medal finally in Rome and Italy was a very special place for Jerry. And he said you know, maybe it’s meant to be. LA was Jerry’s Olympics so we’re going to focus on that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7JTC7CZUJJHRRAWL7UTKGJ3YKI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002489},"content":"“In that moment I decided that yes, that Olympic dream was over in Paris but that wasn’t the end of my Olympic dreams. That I was going to focus on another four-year cycle.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XSUQHUNGEVCMTML5X56AURK4PY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002490},"content":"So here she is. Better now, mostly better. She had her ankle surgery 10 weeks ago – same surgeon in fact, a decade on from the last one. She and Thomas have moved their life to Belfast and she’s building a team around her with 2028 in mind.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NHPGOKKSFZHVFC3BQRGZXQIXNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002491},"content":"She fully aims to be back running and competing by the time the World Championships come around in Tokyo next September. She’s calling the whole thing Ciara 3.0, gleefully aware of how naff that sounds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EDUOMOBGQRBDBKUXNNGHVXBTYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002492},"content":"“Sometimes you have to put it into perspective. I’ve done a lot of work since, been told the way it is. The hard facts are, you just need to get over it. You can either carry this thing around on your shoulders and let it burden you and be a weight going forward, or you can say, ‘D’you know what? Life’s not fair sometimes.’","type":"text"},{"_id":"TLKGFGYBHJGUJHQWE4O77VEHZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002493},"content":"“Sometimes you just need to get over that, and say it isn’t fair, but what you’re going to do is make a plan and move forward. For me, I started making plans. I started looking at houses back home. I arranged my surgery and did what I needed to do to take the next step forward, keep creating new goals to look at.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WXT3DFKMHFAW5IFDUZASZUZ4TA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002494},"content":"“I had a lovely message from Katie Mullan [Ireland hockey player] – and I’ll be honest, a lot of messages I didn’t even get around to because I didn’t even have the capacity to reply to them all. Chatting to Katie, I distinctly remember meeting her out in the Institute before I headed off to the Games and just thinking how sad and empty she looked because their Olympic dream was over, they didn’t qualify.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S2G7HGRSQ5DDBAB3IDDIFIMEC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002495},"content":"“She said [in the message], ‘I don’t know if I even know how you feel.’ I was like, ‘No, I believe you do, because you know what it feels like to put absolutely everything in.’ To put all of your eggs in the one basket because you have to. And for it not to come true and to actually walk away with nothing, not even the consolation prize, is heartbreaking.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4YN4IC5SBJCVBC7CQJSZNRSJRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732127002496},"content":"“But that’s sport. I make the decision to put my eggs in that basket because when it pays off, by God it’s beautiful. And when it doesn’t, it’s okay. Because you can say I have no regrets, I gave it absolutely everything, and sometimes, like I’ve been, you’re just really unlucky. I’m really unlucky to have been given two Achilles heels that are my Achilles heels!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"The Down athlete reflects on the devastation she felt at having to pull out of the Olympics on the eve of the Games"},"display_date":"2024-11-21T09:18:24.439Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ciara Mageean: ‘I just felt numb. It wasn’t even sadness, it was just emptiness’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"SFGCFWBFKBF3LHWNZU4M7YAOBQ","auth":{"1":"ddc7fdab8d21285ea4c5ee42b2fa3932c2a52a0ee528fad6f3079e676ab142ce"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SFGCFWBFKBF3LHWNZU4M7YAOBQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/21/ciara-mageean-i-just-felt-numb-it-wasnt-even-sadness-it-was-just-emptiness/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"ZGZ56D2JSRENJDJREYIZVEK7WE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":349,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/16696ad1-8eff-4f00-bfdf-8cc343ad1719/versions/1731088520/media/feef627c9fad19f465477a19413265f3_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/09/no-sporting-comeback-is-entirely-risk-free-but-always-worth-the-gamble/","content_elements":[{"_id":"PNBY4Q6DTBCQBLUF2BT4F7NMZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806368},"content":"Just because you live in the Dublin Mountains doesn’t mean you’re far enough away from hearing any of the rumours coming down from <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/donegal-gaa/\" target=\"_blank\">Donegal</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7TYEKJLW4ZGHXBYTX77EQZ3LXY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806369},"content":"As a matter of fact, a close neighbour with strong ties in the highlands reliably informed me a few weeks ago that <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/michael-murphy/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Murphy </a>was unquestionably still playing the best club football in Donegal, and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/jim-mcguinness/\" target=\"_blank\">Jim McGuinness </a>will have him back next year, just wait and see.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z7RDAC3NKZBMDMQA3Y2WCLQWJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806370},"content":"The problem with any of these sporting comeback rumours is that there’s no knowing the exact source. What is certain in Murphy’s case is that he was done with intercounty football, announcing his retirement this time two years ago at age 33 and building a wall of reasons — including starting a <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2024/10/17/michael-murphy-played-well-gaa-football-is-as-good-as-any-game-in-the-world-we-set-out-to-improve-its-chances/\" target=\"_blank\">popular column with news organisation </a>— as to why he wouldn’t be changing his mind on that. Forget about it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JVRWOKPPUFBGNKVE376YLC3B5A","additional_properties":{"_id":"57KKULA4JNF4NJF3OXRBQI6ZII"},"content":"Michael Murphy ends intercounty retirement to rejoin Donegal footballers","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"Z5BZNVEBB5D5XH3NUZ6XTAIG6I","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781987},"content":"So when the Donegal county board announced on Wednesday that they were <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/06/michael-murphy-ends-intercounty-retirement-to-rejoin-donegal-footballers/\" target=\"_blank\">“happy to confirm the return of All-Ireland winning captain Michael Murphy to the Donegal squad for the 2025 season”</a>, well that had the famous McGuinness power of persuasion written all over it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NLKY4VDCWBC6DGHR34MWH2KMSE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806372},"content":"As sporting comebacks come and go in this country this is big, and while Murphy is still only 35 — or as repeatedly pointed out this week the same age as Paul Conway from Galway, who has just been named the 2024 Footballer of the Year — his two-year absence from the intercounty game must be of some concern.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JKUEAKUVFNFATLQHML5QMYPKLI","additional_properties":{"_id":"OYY7ISJQRJAMNENSOZQMOY36WI"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"NYNJLS7KZ5HA3PBI52SXKM67TU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781990},"content":"The drive for any comeback on this scale needs to come mostly from the within the player. With five Ulster titles and five All Stars along with his 2012 All-Ireland, Murphy has nothing more to prove. The talk of the new playing rules having something to do with his decision, and Murphy himself was part of the draft process, may carry some weight, but this is not an entirely risk-free exercise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TLSDOXMLDFE3DELFHRBCHZ4CCY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806374},"content":"Compare it to the other big sporting comeback of recent years, when Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton showed up unannounced for a league match against Louth in Croke Park in March 2023. Like Murphy, Cluxton had been two full years away from the game. Unlike Murphy, he was 41.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZVW2JQOGZFWNFHCFVP2Q44MJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806375},"content":"There are lots of people who will tell you that Dublin would not have won back the All-Ireland that same year without Cluxton, but that comeback was his decision and his alone. His was possibly unique too in that he may not have seen any risk involved.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GLQTKBOQQFCSTHUTPL3Y5WCVRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"WMY56ZAZANCIPJ3FB5EFZFRZLE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KK2AMR52UFFXBFS4CDNA7YXKRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731082450758},"content":"One of my favourite stories of the football comeback is that of Kerry defender Mike McCarthy, who retired at the end of 2006 after a towering performance over Mayo in the All-Ireland. When Jack O’Connor made his own comeback as manager in 2009, he tried repeatedly to lure McCarthy out of retirement, had effectively given up, until McCarthy showed up at training one evening. Just like that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SBTIVCQ6HJCN5LX3FNHOZCQ6XY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806377},"content":"F Scott Fitzgerlad said that in American lives there is always room for a comeback, but you just can’t come back all the way. Every sport has its own set of comeback possibilities, effectively depending on its level of physicality; and in boxing we know no great career is complete without at least one comeback too many.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNIIEX3DD5AXRF2VR3KHO4WTRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806378},"content":"In a sport of sheer athleticism, such as athletics, once that power of peak performance starts to fade it’s never coming back. And as tempting as it must have been for Usain Bolt to extend his career beyond the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London, when he was just shy of turning 31, most people will say he choose wisely. When about two years later Bolt touched base with his old coach Glen Mills about the possibility of making a comeback, he was politely told to forget it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PYANOB5LVCE3P7XHCOR235CPI","additional_properties":{"_id":"JW3PEIC3URBJFIRBU3G2HBU42E"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"OXVEEZIEDJEOHHJKBFH5BIMBO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781998},"content":"“When you retire, that’s it, we’re not going to do any comeback tour,” said Mills.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DYRXZA7QZZFJ7NSELKGXBQCWLM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806380},"content":"There are athletic comeback possibilities in other ways, and after Eamonn Coghlan retired after the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, 12 years after finishing fourth in Montreal in 1976, he was already getting on past the peak of his running power too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WE24YH6UVFGXZKLKJYQIYAINRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806381},"content":"Still, after a couple of mildly fattening winters Coghlan felt he simply had to get back on track in some shape or form, so starting with the 1993 season set himself the goal of becoming the first man over 40 to run a sub-four-minute mile. Just when it seemed that might prove slightly more difficult than Coghlan had imagined, he ran 3:58.15 at the Harvard Indoor Track, at age 41, and never raced competitively again. But what a beautiful sign-off.","type":"text"},{"_id":"APCFWVKN4ZHEVMGVQ5DWYFLR3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806382},"content":"Behind every sporting comeback there is also the question of what price? Lance Armstrong will forever stand out on this one, given his comeback from cancer to win the Tour de France on seven consecutive occasions, from 1999 to 2005, selling 30 million yellow bracelets along the way, before then announcing his comeback from retirement in 2009 when he finished third in the Tour.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ET2VCBVKJRC5DD7RBJXQUPU22I","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806383},"content":"There is no reason not to believe Armstrong might never have been caught for his systematic doping regime during those seven Tour wins if hadn’t returned in 2009 to try to win one more. But it was all the ammunition that US anti-doping needed to try to nail him one last time and so Armstrong’s sporting comeback would instead prove the ultimate sporting downfall.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SIGDXRDPXFACTNTPRYMNWSKELQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"M3QS47527JFNDOUMKGCM5SKZ7I"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"ADCXTIBNJJCRZETDXNAMHV2XKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085782004},"content":"“Listen, I deserve this,” he told Oprah Winfrey on that revelatory January night of 2013. “It was win at all costs. When I was diagnosed [with cancer] I would do anything to survive. I took that attitude — win at all costs — to cycling. That’s bad.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HGEBUMPDC5HXJIF7MFU5NNCLZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806385},"content":"“I see the anger in people, betrayal, it’s all there. People who believed in me and supported me and they have every right to feel betrayed and it’s my fault and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to earn back trust and apologise to people.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZZH4MVYNZBUVBXK5LPSIE3HBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806386},"content":"Armstong paid the ultimate price for his comeback, but there was an element of greed about it too, which is also why any sporting comeback should also be driven by modest ambition. Such as walking back up the steps of the Hogan Stand. In Murphy’s case that’s not risk-free, but certainly worth the gamble.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Donegal’s decorated Michael Murphy the latest sporting talisman to roll the dice a successful return"},"display_date":"2024-11-09T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"No sporting comeback is entirely risk-free, but always worth the gamble","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"LAA5PTZEMBANIN3HTF7HG55JPA","auth":{"1":"ba4de126c28c7117d99358e8d2e6179738bfec018c9a82eb618247a3fd9279bc"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/LAA5PTZEMBANIN3HTF7HG55JPA.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/09/no-sporting-comeback-is-entirely-risk-free-but-always-worth-the-gamble/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/gaelic-games","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Gaelic Games"}}}},{"_id":"AF37A4THPVFBZMA6QZZUMYDWDI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":395,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/1052554d-c41c-4148-a64a-604f45bc9b5d/versions/1730996719/media/dcab1602c872c95b09c99b11a180ffa1_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/08/sonia-osullivan-a-jog-down-olympic-memory-lane-shows-how-far-irish-athletes-have-come/","content_elements":[{"_id":"2CUE5KCLVBGWPCRVGUDOGPXMPA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482621},"content":"Every now and then I get sent a reminder of that RTÉ clip of me after winning the national senior cross-country as a schoolgirl in 1987, in Killenaule, Co Tipperary. It was my first television interview, and I managed to announce to the entire nation that I’d like to go to the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympics</a> now that I reached the level of best in Ireland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YNRXVA56FVGODESJB3DZLTM3NY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482622},"content":"It didn’t matter to me that cross-country wasn’t even an Olympic sport, or that I didn’t even know where the next Olympics were, it just seemed natural that this was the next step.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IMHKPZIL2ZC6TPXHBU6FUJLPNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482623},"content":"Up to that point, I had never met any Olympic athlete either. There was definitely not the same connection that we have today with the current athletes, and the next generation of young athletes inspired to find the sport for them to aspire to and build their Olympic dreams.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O7RU2OAUGFCE7H4FNLBRZDJVIA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482624},"content":"I also remember <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/04/20/john-treacy-im-definitely-on-the-way-back-now/?\" target=\"_blank\">John Treacy winning the silver medal in the marathon in Los Angeles in 1984</a>, and the celebrations when he came home.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JTLESC6RENG5JN5FNMNXRDBFEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482625},"content":"But the athlete that always stood out as the quintessential Olympian is Ronnie Delany, and his gold medal from Melbourne in 1956, won over the 1,500m. An event that so many can relate to, the metric mile.","type":"text"},{"_id":"63VNP6UXWNAUBAL2TJWWW6M7CU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482626},"content":"Ronnie has always been the first Olympian I recall being a household name in Ireland, a name my parents and grandparents related to long before I ever started competing and chasing my Olympic dreams.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AEDZKER3GZCHZHLCWSBHRDMM3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"JVBXUSDYUFG2PCBZONP675WYYQ"},"content":"How Ronnie Delany’s golden moment dawned slowly in Ireland","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"ACIYC5DHUZGPXPTMS4CJAOVRSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482627},"content":"After I won that national cross-country in 1987, I remember, too, the shock and surprise when my mother answered the phone and then came in and told me Ronnie Delany was on the phone.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZZRJEMS4DBD2FBHXAMUEA6AQMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482628},"content":"I’m certain it was a star-struck moment for my mother more than myself at the time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EHOK4RRIYBEBFHNLHWBOB3KUZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482629},"content":"For years after his Melbourne success, the first question Ronnie would be asked was “did you bring it?”. Meaning his medal, and it was a long-standing query whenever Ronnie turned up anywhere, as so many people were enthralled by him winning only Ireland’s fourth ever Olympic gold medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5W7QS6LLPJBRJIIOW6MU75J7LY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482630},"content":"To me Ronnie has always been the godfather of Irish Olympians, the one person that realised the importance and significance of being an Olympian and how this passed on from generation to generation, being part of this very exclusive club.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3YUMY4J3RBLFDR2F2TRIN25GY","additional_properties":{"_id":"ROVWN5FJQBEI5C4QHHVRQBYGI4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SVLRAIQHEJBYFEMRUDOBCB6364","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482631},"content":"One that could so very easily be taken for granted when you are just out there training and competing and doing what you love to do and being good at it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I3ANEICDEVCBFIU2BXTMSHUWZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482632},"content":"Once an Olympian, always an Olympian, he’d say, and there is certainly no such thing as a former Olympian.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YWAG5MJS2BD23NDKHLXLCMV76Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482633},"content":"Ronnie also initiated the Irish Olympians Association that brings together many different Irish Olympians each year on Olympic Day. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/day-in-the-sun-for-roisin-mcgettigan-as-she-finally-gets-medal-1.2016338\" target=\"_blank\">Róisín McGettigan</a>, who ran the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, is the current president and the aim is to continue to connect more Irish Olympians, and also build connections in their local communities and celebrate all Olympians, including those who may not have been appreciated at the time they competed as much as they are now.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BZ3MEPJRDJHEVKLRGNFG3SN6MM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482634},"content":"The <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-federation-of-ireland/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic Federation of Ireland</a> will take this to a new level on Saturday night, celebrating 100 years of Irish Olympic athletes at the annual Olympic Ball in Dublin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NUEVX74MWJGEJMWUMVNKPYO7ZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482635},"content":"Well over 1,000 athletes have represented Ireland at the summer Olympic Games since Paris 1924 and at at the winter Olympic Games since 1992.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JUFI3VPJUNFPPBRMG3QRFJWLPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482636},"content":"More than 600 athletics have been invited to Saturday’s event, which I’m very much looking forward to attending, as this will be the largest gathering of all Irish Olympic team members ever.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WCMIKRUGJJGL5GLWRIP7CKPXU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482637},"content":"Most of the recent Paris medallists will be attendance, as well as Olympians from as far back as 1960.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TKWVLWLXMFBFXOJNXAS56E6OKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482638},"content":"Every Olympian has now been assigned a number to signify when they qualified and competed in their first Olympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QAV5P42JKRF5PAQAX7A2CGT4Y4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482639},"content":"In all, a total of 42 medals have been won, 15 gold, 10 silver and 17 bronze across seven different sports; athletics, boxing, rowing, swimming, sailing, equestrian and gymnastics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MD7V2EUWP5HOVHXPQAQH3AONSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482640},"content":"Athletics has always been the biggest sport at the Olympics and the sport of which I have my earliest Olympic memories, listening in the car on the radio when Marcus O’Sullivan and Frank O’Mara were competing in Los Angeles in 1984.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A6R22JI2MFGCIHXTI4VV7AOXGA","additional_properties":{"_id":"TUZUVVMB5NEY7JS4FR4KTLLH2M"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2ZZD2AHGMZAWDIL7Y5YGZENPGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482641},"content":"These were the athletes I could relate most to, when my interest in athletics was developing as a young teenage athlete in Cobh. This was also the Olympics when 800m runner Caroline O’Shea was the first Irish woman to run in an Olympic final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DQ27D7OVKBESBEYQFSOSFLK4N4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482642},"content":"When I first competed at the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992 it was a special moment for me but I was also lucky to be surrounded by great team-mates to whom I still remain close today. We were there for each other and my fondest Olympic memories are from the training camp we had in the weeks before, which brought us together and alleviated any nerves that were starting to creep in as race day approached.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CJY4NNDDKFGSHJVNWTPG3QB2EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482643},"content":"The ultimate achievement is to win an Olympic medal, yet when I was competing in 1992 it seemed a step too far for most Irish athletes. We all celebrated when Michael Carruth won his gold medal and Wayne McCollough backed it up with his silver medal in the boxing ring.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XH3HQKDRN5E7FLTC2FQE4KCR3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482644},"content":"Medals always seemed like the exception for Ireland at the Olympics, when we hoped to do well and only dreamed of medals, yet we were still able to appreciate the Olympics for all that they were.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VFGFLUABTNH37D7CWN4X6KIUME","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482645},"content":"It’s this overall Olympic experience that will bring so many athletes together this Saturday to reminisce and recall the good old days where it all began, when we inspired the next generation and we didn’t even realise it at the time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LSKBQKQ4AJFNHG4Q6IEN2AIYWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482646},"content":"Back in Barcelona in 1992, there were just three female athletes on the Irish athletics team of 19. The full team of 58 was made up of 49 men and nine women across 12 sports.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HTBCHIGNWVBDXA4SHA6KEUBSJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482647},"content":"Even though Maeve Kyle was the pioneer of Irish women at the Olympic Games in 1956, 1960 and 1964, there was not a great deal of change or encouragement of more women to strive to be Olympians.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GX3OSVY2VBF5HPQVJ4NBP644N4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482648},"content":"The fact that in 26 years there was still just a fraction of women on the Olympic team is staggering and even more so that we didn’t realise it at the time and take action.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EH3ORGQ7OFDN5PCNVIMMS2PGXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482649},"content":"Fast-forward to 2024, almost 70 years later and women are on par with the men on the Irish Olympic team. We no longer as a nation go to the Olympics hoping for medals, and in the past 24 years, half of Ireland’s total Olympic medals have been won.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FIGSUFQG3NET5DQ7SO53QEXHGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482650},"content":"Once we were just inspired to participate at the Olympics, now our young athletes are seeing that winning is possible. The most successful Olympic Games in Paris delivered seven medals, four of which were gold.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YSALC2FIKVG2PJLNVQ2L4BNNJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730992482651},"content":"We have seen what is possible and were not far off even more medals this past summer. We no longer live in hope and dreams but in knowing what it takes to realise those dreams. Irish athletes now go to the Olympics knowing we belong and feel the respect we deserve on the Olympic stage.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}},"name":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"On Saturday I will attend the biggest ever gathering of Irish Olympians - more than 600 of us"},"display_date":"2024-11-08T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sonia O’Sullivan: A jog down Olympic memory lane shows how far Irish athletes have come","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"R3ECKV46R5D4MIUCNBSVVT6XXI","auth":{"1":"d463a71b4821257aa82070448846ce498dfae65e5b92ef5fd97100cc34efab5f"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/R3ECKV46R5D4MIUCNBSVVT6XXI.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/08/sonia-osullivan-a-jog-down-olympic-memory-lane-shows-how-far-irish-athletes-have-come/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"4ARTUHILDFGMDNP7LTXVWUIPNI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":160,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/49b766c4-1ac8-4307-95f2-8b65641fac15/versions/1730895222/media/ea1cd9a4429044894f6bb2b010989a71_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/11/06/olympic-federation-of-ireland-confirms-two-candidates-running-to-be-new-president/","content_elements":[{"_id":"PUGRZ2CLVJDNHNV4CTT4D2UTMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475542},"content":"The <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-federation-of-ireland/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic Federation of Ireland</a> (OFI) have confirmed that two existing board members will contest the election to replace Sarah Keane as president at their extraordinary general meeting in Dublin on December 5th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L4ZZY34C4FDEFDXTFIWUZIO3G4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475543},"content":"Keane is stepping down from her position having been on the board since 2014. She will have completed two successful terms as president, having first assumed the role in 2017 at a time when the federation underwent a major governance review following the 2016 Rio Olympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VQGMHK3XFVDARPY5L6VCYC2W5A","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475544},"content":"It was agreed under the restructuring of the federation that all those elected could serve a maximum of two four-year terms. Keane will continue in her role of chief executive of Swim Ireland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KPZ2X7J3S5FRPGG6M7CQODUEEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475545},"content":"Board members Moira Aston and Lochlann Walsh have put their names forward to replace Keane. Aston is chief executive of Canoeing Ireland and has extensive sports administration experience, having also worked with Athletics Ireland for 12 years in senior roles, while Walsh has a 20-year track record in sports administration, from grass roots to the chair of the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs).","type":"text"},{"_id":"BSZFMGO5WJAC5PSL75U3I5FBWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475546},"content":"Sarah O’Shea is unchallenged in her bid to become vice-president, with six non-officer positions also to be contested on the night for the four-year period 2025-2029.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UAEDUAJDURBP5HDBUOJ3LIK524","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475547},"content":"OFI chief executive Peter Sherrard will combine his current role with a new general secretary position, from the date of elections, for the purposes of international representation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VWPQP3AKLVD3HCGF4FI2RX7CEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475548},"content":"In all, 14 candidates have been nominated for the positions of non-officer members, including three existing board members and two former Olympians in John Menton (athletics) and Sonya McGinn (badminton).","type":"text"},{"_id":"X2CXCPBXPZAE3P3DCJPZKIJZ2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475549},"content":"Also challenging for a non-officer position is Roddy Guiney, whose father Dave competed in the 1948 Olympics in London, along with Aston, Eric Brady, Michelle Carpenter, Georgina Drumm, John Feehan, Aaron Guli, Eadaoin Keane, Aidan McLaughlin, James Quilligan, Siobhán Scarlett and Cecile van Steenberge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7LPCJV5U5VAGZNCSWFQY7A442U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475550},"content":"In addition to these elected positions, the OFI board contains two independent directors (Nigel Cowman and Sean Hawkshaw). A further two independent directors may be co-opted in the next Olympic cycle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sarah Keane will be succeeded by either Moira Aston or Lochlann Walsh"},"display_date":"2024-11-06T12:08:34.086Z","headlines":{"basic":"Olympic Federation of Ireland confirms two candidates running to be new president","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"2S7RAEAELJDAFDTOX6IC3LIPSM","auth":{"1":"9e3549d5d8d8c2505da4a347b8b65c1826543128fc2bf834a4c915ebae528c43"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/2S7RAEAELJDAFDTOX6IC3LIPSM.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Tennis"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/11/06/olympic-federation-of-ireland-confirms-two-candidates-running-to-be-new-president/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"SCVKIURXOFAQHPYUJFPFSO2SLY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":205,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/074386ed-9fed-423c-9875-7093df3362fe/versions/1730820466/media/5c97c775cf95aaae95dca257f05fb10c_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/05/national-cross-country-championships-switch-to-75km-for-both-senior-races/","content_elements":[{"_id":"ULE3PTYT45HRBAL4YPJJ7PNGTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433893},"content":"Athletics Ireland have confirmed that both the men’s and women’s National Cross-Country Championships in Enniskillen later this month will be raced over 7.5km, the shortest distance it has ever been for the men.","type":"text"},{"_id":"G5WEUVQFWFFCDPMJSL36Z3JRPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433894},"content":"This follows the latest directive from European Athletics, who last year announced “a historic twist” in having both the men’s and women’s races at the European Cross-Country run over the same distance for the first time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5GSBZBEU2ZFLXCAVL7SAW3QKTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433895},"content":"On that occasion, however, both the men and women raced over 9km, which for the women was actually double the distance of the first European Cross-Country. Conditions at that event in Brussels were far from ideal, and despite the aspiration of gender balance the women did struggle with the distance more than the men.","type":"text"},{"_id":"74FZQI3JMRENHFPATNJMNYPVTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433896},"content":"As a result, European Athletics have now cut both distances back to just 7.5km for next month’s event, set for Antalya, Turkey on December 8th. It will also be the shortest distance the men have ever raced at a European Cross-Country.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F2JSVHWF6ZENHNKH7HFMKQ57GI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433897},"content":"The 2024 National Cross-Country Championships, which take place on Sunday week, November 17th, at Castle Irvine Estate in Enniskillen, also acts as the trial for the European Cross-Country, which has proven a happy medal hunting ground for Irish athletes in recent years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N63APKVUZRGG5CI5K2BSBS3VOM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433898},"content":"On that basis, Athletics Ireland agreed both their men’s and women’s senior races would also be run over 7.5k, when until recent years the men always ran 10km. As with the European Cross-Country, in its 30th edition this year, the men’s and women’s under-20 races will be run over 4.5km, and the men’s and women’s under-23 races over 6km, those distances also cut back down on last year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6XS4LTGPNB6TNKHG2B6DKVYSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433899},"content":"Sonia O’Sullivan believes the new 7.5km distance for both men and women may ultimately be beneficial in improving the competitiveness of the event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I7HOH55UQZCYPIQYHFFMPWRJHQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433900},"content":"“I think for the women yes, 7.5km is fine,” says O’Sullivan. “It might make the men’s race more exciting too, in some ways. Because otherwise people just start running away and it can get a bit boring as the leaders just get further and further away.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P66PXE376JGD7PFD6PMZ7UM6PU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433901},"content":"“It might be better for the Irish men, to keep a few more in it for longer. But the NCAA cross-country in the US is still 10km for men, and 6km for women, and they’re still college runners.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"54MU3VVXHZDPNDT4CWTMDWYNY4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433902},"content":"At last year’s National Cross-Country, raced over 9km, Cormac Dalton from Mullingar and Fiona Everard from Bandon won by contrasting distances, Dalton winning by just two seconds, with Everard enjoying a stunning victory margin of 37 seconds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7C4CPM542VG4LDZQNQBK5EODCY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433903},"content":"At last year’s European Cross-Country, Nick Griggs also saw out his under-20 eligibility by leading the Irish team to gold medals, as well as his individual bronze.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B7XAE46PARA25MHPRIF7KJ2ZEM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730819433904},"content":"Fionnuala McCormack also finished fourth in the senior women’s event, for the fifth time, a week after running the Paris Olympic marathon standard. That was also a record 18th appearance in the event, and although recently turned 40, McCormack certainly hasn’t ruled out another appearance on December 8th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Athletics Ireland make decision after European Cross-Country Championships cut men’s and women’s races from 9km to 7.5km"},"display_date":"2024-11-05T15:22:34.448Z","headlines":{"basic":"National Cross-Country Championships switch to 7.5km for both senior races","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"SZ6M7EHLOZGR3ABI4XEJRT564Y","auth":{"1":"6f4ecdf06e217f457417974c697a171415b12fe2322622ef31150892c2fc5555"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SZ6M7EHLOZGR3ABI4XEJRT564Y.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/05/national-cross-country-championships-switch-to-75km-for-both-senior-races/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"VJ5HICQTYJFO3MUBGKZND3DEUU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":253,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/c32b1aea-dac5-4e73-83da-f8f35aaf9c76/versions/1730725334/media/835dcfee056d8beb88a93fa9e7e2c282_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/11/04/bohemians-secure-247m-in-government-funding-for-dalymount-park-redevelopment/","content_elements":[{"_id":"YJ7VOTMCYFBGFJ25ZRYRZBNFS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578798},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/bohemians/\" target=\"_blank\">Bohemians</a> have been allocated €24.7 million in funding for the development of a new Dalymount Park. It is the largest grant of the €173 million announced as part of the Government’s Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).","type":"text"},{"_id":"KC3JCFWD4RFZREW4GSGEUAAKAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578800},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-gaa/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin GAA</a>’s long-awaited Centre of Excellence at the Spawell facility in the south of the county has been allocated €7 million, while several multi-sport projects are also included in the list of 35 successful applications.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PN6BM6YPMFC3BJZT3WHTNZKW7Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578801},"content":"The overall Dalymount Park redevelopment is estimated to cost approximately €40 million, so the injection of almost €25 million is hugely significant in progressing the stadium plans.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KFDMDVBRSNGFLMXMSDIWHNLGYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578802},"content":"The existing ground is to be demolished, with a new four-sided enclosed 8,000 capacity Uefa Category Three stadium to be built. The pitch is also to reorientated on the ‘preferred north-south axis’.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LIGGCNQGUZAIDESZ5IOPLHD5VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578803},"content":"It is yet to be confirmed when work will commence, though it has been suggested Bohs will move out of Dalymount Park to a temporary home during the 2026 season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MEIIV7LRLBCADFMFKLFOMCXK5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578804},"content":"Sligo Rovers have also received a €16.4 million cash injection for upgrade works at the Showgrounds, while €650,000 will go to floodlight improvements at Tallaght Stadium.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5H5FQBRBFJFZNLU6Q4RHOP46LU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578805},"content":"The €7 million for Dublin’s GAA Spawell project is to fund three full-size pitches, one synthetic pitch (all floodlit), an indoor training centre, gym, skills wall, sensory spaces, and changing rooms.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PBMDE4VT35BAFM3ZVC5OE2LW2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578806},"content":"Funds for GAA Centres of Excellence in Roscommon (€5.5 million), Wexford (€3.5 million) and Clare (€3.2 million) have also been included in the allocations.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JQ6OM7QMQFH4NFCVX2AZELXWWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578807},"content":"Morton Stadium in Santry has received €7 million for the development of an indoor athletic training facility with a full eight lane 100-metre track, high-jump area, gym, physiotherapy spaces, and changing rooms.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6DF3GF5QIVCKNB5COPC7CSX2PI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578808},"content":"The support for several multi-sport projects indicates a growth in the model of cross-sport working partnerships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"75ZDV4HFEJE2XEYWOKFAZWW2VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578809},"content":"The Cavan Regional Sports Campus has been allocated €19 million for the construction of a covered sports arena with a playing pitch and spectator seating. There will also be four GAA pitches, a hockey/multi-sport synthetic pitch, and a cricket practice area with catch-nets, all of which will be floodlit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKBI7FQ6B5G6ZEITVMVL7J5IKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578810},"content":"“This is a major stepping stone for Cavan GAA, Cavan LGFA and Cavan Camogie who signed a landmark memorandum of agreement for the shared use of facilities, earlier this year,” stated Cavan GAA.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6WRBRTU4ZFD4FAF7VWS2I5QXO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578811},"content":"Among the other multi-sport projects to be allocated funds are Sallins Park in Naas (€3 million), East Coast Hub in Gorey (€4.9 million), Shannonside Centre in Leitrim (€3.3 million), Hyde Park in Dalkey (€4.6 million), Letterkenny Regional Hub in Donegal (€8.7 million), Mayo Sports Campus (€7.5 million) and City North Arena in Limerick (€7.5 million).","type":"text"},{"_id":"W5M2ENGWRFFK7KIC6K64XPVAUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578812},"content":"Ministers Catherine Martin and Thomas Byrne were in attendance at Dalymount Park on Monday to announce the timely pre-election funding.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRTR5NAR2NDJNCCEFWCDA6ORSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578813},"content":"“The advantages of engaging in sports, regardless of age, are profound both mentally and physically. To meet our ambitious goals of increasing participation in sports, it is essential to have facilities like these,” said Minister Martin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"466D6VCYTRGNFMHPP5LZARRLG4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578814},"content":"Applications for the 2024 round of LSSIF closed on July 1st. Applications were assessed for funding of between €600,000 and €30 million.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"Over €170 million allocated under Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund"},"display_date":"2024-11-04T12:57:09.881Z","headlines":{"basic":"Bohemians secure €24.7m in government funding for Dalymount Park redevelopment","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"B4SFZKUGB3EAJEP7V5CR2ERAZQ","auth":{"1":"4434c46191ddec97e81c595fcfc41fe939d801616b44b8eb3eae062a466476a3"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/B4SFZKUGB3EAJEP7V5CR2ERAZQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/11/04/bohemians-secure-247m-in-government-funding-for-dalymount-park-redevelopment/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/soccer","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Soccer"}}}},{"_id":"Z4B5OOGOVVGP5OCCQ5JWPPVOOU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":413,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/7ddc31d2-fdf1-4d68-a705-8af619cba19a/versions/1730480810/media/761de7d74b458931f5be4ac0d8439afb_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/02/why-is-irelands-fastest-marathon-not-the-irish-marathon-record/","content_elements":[{"_id":"ZPYJEYBU2BGGJNIHONSAWGF67E","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713101},"content":"Before the rain came and the autumn breeze whipped up, conditions at the start and finish of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> last Sunday morning were ideal. No reason to hang around then. In the end, few runners found greater reward, after a brave and beautifully balanced effort over the 26.2 miles, than Hiko Tonosa.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YULCP27F4VBKBLPYOQSSWBZU6A","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713102},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/10/27/hiko-tonosa-runs-fastest-marathon-by-an-irishman-to-finish-third-in-dublin/\" target=\"_blank\">He crossed the finish line on Mount Street</a> in third place overall, clocking 2:09:42. In my 30-odd years of reporting on the Dublin Marathon, any Irish runner who makes the overall podium was greeted with special acclaim, but Tonosa’s celebration was something more. He sought asylum in Ireland from his war-torn village in Ethiopia back in 2017, before gaining Irish citizenship in 2020.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2W7GU3Y5GFCRJKRYVXWRIPQQWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713103},"content":"After briefly falling flat on his back at the finish, a tricolour draped over his shoulders, the 29-year-old running for Dundrum South Dublin leapt up and started sprinting back down the finishing straight towards the Pepper Canister Church, moving like loose electricity, mainlining the last of his race adrenaline, as well he might.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NYSMFX6T5BC6BGMFA6QYVFVRUE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713104},"content":"His effort had been complete. After passing halfway in 64:13, Tonosa’s finishing time was promptly announced as a new Irish marathon record, eclipsing by seven seconds the 2:09:49 which Stephen Scullion ran in London in 2020. Scullion had also finished on the overall podium in Dublin twice before, his 2:11:51 last year was, at the time, the fastest marathon ever run by an Irishman in this country.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W6HCPJZE2JCQ3JY3Z6F6TNJ7MM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713105},"content":"Tonosa’s previous best of 2:15:01 was run in Valencia back in January – a time he smashed here by the best part of six minutes – but he’s always shown the potential to run this sort of time, passing the halfway mark in London last April in 63:39, before dropping off that pace.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I5ZD4I7O4FDC7MFVI3GDANDENQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713106},"content":"However, also sitting on that Irish marathon all-time list, albeit with a small asterisk, is the 2:09:15 which John Treacy ran to finish third in the Boston Marathon back in 1988. Holding these times up to a little more scrutiny is not unjustified.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CXFODU76J2XFLGAPCGY22WQ7GA","additional_properties":{"_id":"ES737VWIUJDBFAFFIXRVZR23EI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KQDKPRGDIRDCXFC3ZNX7SAUWYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713107},"content":"Up to 2003, World Athletics didn’t actually recognise any world records set on the road, given the variety of elevation and terrain, listing them instead as “world bests”. Then after agreeing a set of record-criteria in 2004, world records could be set on the road, similar to the track and field, and likewise national records too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VLQPSSMTLBEDNMFA22AKJ7YFXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713108},"content":"For the marathon, there were two key conditions for record-setting purposes. The decrease in elevation between the start and the finish could not exceed an average of 1m per km; and the start and finish points, measured along a theoretical straight line between them, could not exceed 50 per cent of the marathon distance.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3DADITB7Y5HQVM35IBLVKANRKI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713109},"content":"Incidentally, this rules out the original marathon course from 490BC, from the town of Marathon down to Athens, for any record purposes, although having once just about completed that course myself, a somehow easier or faster course it most definitely is not.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KCBFQRMN5FATDABPBSUTXPGIYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713110},"content":"The first recognised marathon world best was the 2:55.18 set by the Irish American Johnny Hayes at the 1908 Olympics in London, and although Boston is the longest-running city marathon in the world, starting in 1897 and inspired by the Athens Olympics the year before, it has only once produced a world best, legal or otherwise, when Geoffrey Mutai from Kenya ran 2:03:02 in 2011.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OBFEGHWSUFCCVETTPKY37REAZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713111},"content":"The problem with Boston for record purposes is that it averages a decrease in elevation of 3.23m per km, and the distance between the start and finish point is 91 per cent of the race distance. On that basis, Mutai’s time wasn’t even submitted to World Athletics for consideration.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CCDOM76BCNGJTOUNIZO2KZGRAY","additional_properties":{"_id":"LKX4AJTF5BFGJFK66AQBMS3JTI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"OG6K4VKUOZCUPOUQRUNBIQQJ7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713112},"content":"So to Treacy’s 2:09:15 run in Boston in 1988, which at the time was only the second marathon that he finished. After winning his Olympic silver medal in LA in 1984, running the Irish marathon record of 2:09:56, Treacy became hot property in marathon running, yet was reluctant to make a permanent move to the distance, or at least to surrender his career on the track.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R3XLVWSHCREHLGQQWXKHHYLFFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713113},"content":"When Treacy’s next marathon after LA did come calling, in 1987, he was always sure it would be Boston, and now flush with sponsorship money from John Hancock Financial Services, an all-star field was assembled, including the Australian Rob de Castella, winner the previous year in a course record of 2:07:51, plus Japan’s Toshihiko Seko, the Boston champion from 1981.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NUHGSE3RERCLZMBRAL72MJ3B2A","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713114},"content":"Boston does unquestionably benefit from some nice rolling hills at the start in Hopkinton, but it’s also much feared for Heartbreak Hill, which comes around mile 20, the same time as the infamous Wall. What Treacy discovered was Heartbreak Hill hurts as much coming <i>down</i> as it does going up, the breaking leg action soon crippling his quad muscles. By mile 21 he was reduced to a near crawl. It took two hours to be driven through the crowds back to the finish.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7J5LB3HMA5DCHPPQTR5NZJSGCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713115},"content":"A year later, in 1988, Treacy only decided to run Boston again on short notice – four days before, to be exact – confident he was hitting a sort of marathon-running peak. And so it proved, as Treacy broke everyone on the downhill and uphill except for the African duo of Ibrahim Hussein and Juma Ikangaa, Hussein taking the win in 2:08:43, Treacy holding on for third in that 2:09:15.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3ARFTBSM4BC7TGUMDO3EAR2ZKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713116},"content":"It is worth remembering, too, that this was long before the era of super shoes, and while Treacy was wearing a pair of custom-made New Balance racing flats, there was minimal cushioning and not an ounce of carbon. If you saw those shoes now, they’d be considered anti-super.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XEX6XHFWEFB3PDKMS2LK2EEJEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713117},"content":"He ran Boston again the following year, under even greater fanfare, and after another hard-fought race had to settle for third once again, running 2:10:24.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZNDSK5AWVJHQNMBB4C4CGTYWJM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713118},"content":"When Treacy lined up in Boston for the fourth and final time, in 1991, all the lessons of the past were neatly executed: he held back early on, gently rolled over Heartbreak Hill, looked primed for another podium finish, before the short, sharp downhills – part of what rules Boston out for record purposes – once again proved his undoing, as he sat on the kerb outside Boston College, at mile 21, clutching his right hamstring with one hand, and covering his face with the other.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OM75M64H4BHHHGPD7G74W3UP7A","additional_properties":{"_id":1730470713119},"content":"Which is also why in some people’s eyes his 2:09:15 may not be the official Irish marathon record, but is still quite possibly the greatest Irish marathon ever run. At least until Hiko Tonosa starts looking towards that 2:09 barrier and thinking: “Why not now?”","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Hiko Tonosa ran 2:09:42 to finish third in Sunday’s Dublin Marathon, but John Treacy’s 2:09:15 from Boston deserves closer scrutiny"},"display_date":"2024-11-02T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Why is Ireland’s fastest marathon not the Irish marathon record?","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"IAQ44QCBJUV6OULEJZOYIOCFUU","auth":{"1":"9a157d0edfb733ad941d4b6ab3afdf68c7621202539e40fc5351325f22f6f17e"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IAQ44QCBJUV6OULEJZOYIOCFUU.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/11/02/why-is-irelands-fastest-marathon-not-the-irish-marathon-record/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"JYIM7BU2EFFERHPISA2JQEKOJE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":292,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/9c471bda-adc5-4d8d-adaa-640aabd97d43/versions/1730136457/media/7536a27491cf2672b66da8c0c38a3a5e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/28/dublin-marathon-organisers-satisfied-with-improved-entry-uptake-for-sundays-event/","content_elements":[{"_id":"GRDPVIBFFVHTJIVD7YIJASMQHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017859},"content":"After experiencing a worrying decline in the uptake of race-day entries in recent years, organisers of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> have expressed their satisfaction in reversing that trend <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/10/27/hiko-tonosa-runs-fastest-marathon-by-an-irishman-to-finish-third-in-dublin/\" target=\"_blank\">for Sunday’s event</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YSMDWR6I6NABBHCIG2SGTAYEZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017861},"content":"Of the 22,500 sell-out, just over 18,000 (18,091) made it through the race start line on Leeson Street on Sunday morning, and according to the Dublin Marathon race results, there were 17,719 official finishers, just shy of the event record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SVYBO2P6KNDZXFWC3HZYSD2GXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017862},"content":"In last year’s race, also a 22,500 sell-out, only 16,540 runners made the race start, with 16,347 listed as official race finishers – meaning around 6,000 race entries went unused, despite all paying the entry fee of €110, plus a handling charge of €5.50.","type":"text"},{"_id":"STU7QUZOQJF5ZCOPE7GALFDQLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017863},"content":"Most big city marathons expect a race-day entry attrition rate on the overall entry, typically around 20 per cent, due to a variety of understandable reasons – illness, injury, doubts, fears, second thoughts, reality checks etc – in the days, weeks and even months before.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E2XNFKYPKBBGRGF74BW3JZLTCI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017864},"content":"However, last year’s drop-off of 6,000 runners was around 25 per cent on Dublin’s initial race entry. It also marked a significant drop-off from the 2019 race, which was also limited to 22,500, with a record 17,724 official race finishers.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O53M6LS3B5HNXP2P3UWI3KA66M","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017865},"content":"For this year’s race, a new transfer window opened from Wednesday, July 24th to Monday, August 26th, about a month later than last year, and which according to the organisers is the closest that transfer window could stay open ahead of the race day. In other years, the entry transfer window had closed even earlier.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WSOC2Y3BXRDF5OQGDRJJM6OEMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017866},"content":"“Getting the number of race-day entries back up over 18,000 is certainly satisfying for us,” said a spokesperson for the Dublin Marathon. “The drop-off of 20 per cent is back in line with most other major city marathons, and we’re already look at a number of ways of improving this again for 2025 and 2026.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GWPMUL4D2FGIBGDX4I4633G3XA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017867},"content":"Of the 17,719 official race finishers on Sunday, 12,144 were men and 5,560 were women, with 15 listed as non-binary.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V3NELYDAKK2FEYM3V7LLR5Q5AE","additional_properties":{"_id":"42I6OLXGYJFS3IBGGICAU7G5XY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZNI26TGCZNDL7MTWT7SKSB46AY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017868},"content":"Dublin Marathon race director Jim Aughney admitted he was “at a loss” to explain last year’s 25 per cent drop-off in race-day uptake. He had been gearing for around 19,000 finishers, and a no-show of around 3,500 runners, going off the 2019 entry of 22,500, before Covid twice forced the postponement of the event in 2020 and 2021.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YFE62ZGTNVGLJOWKE3EUT3BOUA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017869},"content":"The true impact of that double postponement was revealed in the actual number which took part in the 2022 event: of the original 25,000 sell-out, only 14,773 were listed as official finishers.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VHCBRSEX6NFPND3K2FKRZEZKOU","additional_properties":{"_id":"JTME6XLGL5DD3DSXHJO54UWQYY"},"content":"Dublin Marathon race director ‘at a loss’ to explain the 6,000 running no-shows at this year’s event","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"FJIFBZ7ELBEKNOFPZD33XD6ACQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017870},"content":"Sunday’s event did produce a couple of records on other fronts, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/hiko-tonosa/\" target=\"_blank\">Hiko Tonosa</a> delighting the home support with his third-place overall finish in 2:09:42, the fastest marathon ever run by an Irishman.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZYA6LKMCFEJTKPEB25TFWUZCI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017871},"content":"The 29-year-old running for Dundrum South Dublin was less than a minute behind outright winner Moses Kemei from Kenya (who ran 2:08:47) and improved <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/stephen-scullion/\" target=\"_blank\">Stephen Scullion</a>’s previous Irish marathon record of 2:09:49, from London in 2020. John Treacy did run 2:09:15 in Boston in 1988, although that doesn’t count for record purposes due to Boston’s net downhill gradient.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WLLQRE6XBFGIDK37US6NEYNBGY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017872},"content":"The women’s elite race also produced a Dublin Marathon course record, Asmirach Nega from Ethiopia winning in 2:24:13.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GBHD3T65MZHQ3DEILYKYOSIO6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017873},"content":"Entries for the 2025 event will open later next month, beginning with the preferential early entry, which guarantees all those who entered the 2024 race a place next year, whether they showed up or not. This preferential early entry is also open for the same time frame for all women who entered the 2024 Dublin Half Marathon. This is to encourage and support more female entrants to the marathon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNJDFNK5HREORLSC74VW3NMHUM","additional_properties":{"_id":"JD5XNI6OOZCSJMHK7FQUDTJ2NY"},"content":"Proud day for Hiko Tonasa as he sets new Irish marathon record","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"GBHD3T65MZHQ3DEILYKYOSIO6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017873},"content":"Places will again be reserved for Athletics Ireland club members, as since 2003 the race also doubles as the national marathon championships. Applications for entries via the lottery system will then go live after the uptake in the preferential entry is known.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O3XNSLLLZNCLDFRTC4ZJAGRN7U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730131017875},"content":"While most marathons work off that expected attrition rate of up to 20 per cent, some fare better than others. In 2018, the New York Marathon produced the highest completion rate; of the 52,812 starters, there were 52,121 finishers, an astonishing completion rate of 99.4 per cent.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Just over 18,000 of the 22,500 entries made it through the start line on Leeson Street"},"display_date":"2024-10-28T17:21:19.231Z","headlines":{"basic":"Dublin Marathon organisers satisfied with improved entry uptake for Sunday’s event","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"GKCLYKTYSUFUKQWWFU5RZL7SAA","auth":{"1":"d3a1ba33d646d779d3e0c6028667031ee5b5cdcb20965b53feda081f7b0ef751"},"focal_point":{"x":2506,"y":1803},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/GKCLYKTYSUFUKQWWFU5RZL7SAA.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/28/dublin-marathon-organisers-satisfied-with-improved-entry-uptake-for-sundays-event/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"J7HT2WALFRFPZOWPYN6XG3QQAA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":258,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/26d1d577-a013-4b0f-ade3-b9a7f53eddd6/versions/1730033057/media/06781d7d7644a372dd9a60c72ca47c83_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/27/hiko-tonosa-runs-fastest-marathon-by-an-irishman-to-finish-third-in-dublin/","content_elements":[{"_id":"EHPYQV6XTZG4JMVMW4ENRIZGLI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Every marathon journey is ultimately about reaching the finish, and for the first Irish man and woman to make it home in Sunday’s <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> that journey also had a very different beginning.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OXQ75Q5XXVCEJILIGUWQKUCJCM","additional_properties":{},"content":"They were greeted on Mount Street with the same ecstatic yells as the outright winners, Hiko Tonosa crossing the finish line in third place overall, his 2:09:42 the fastest marathon ever run by an Irishman, before Ann-Marie McGlynn defended her women’s national title in 2:34:05, good enough for sixth place overall.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2A26WHUKLBBJHMBQ3M2CM2SKGQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Tonosa has unquestionably come a long way from the small Rastafarian town of Shashamane in the highlands of Ethiopia. About 4,000 miles, roughly – also bravely journeying through some lonely and terrifying intervals of his life; the murder and oppression of his native Oromo people; the peril of chasing a professional running career in Japan; the fear of being an asylum seeker in Dublin; the unknown of being almost two years in direct provision.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5BKNFZQPLNEV7AN4Q6HK3DHVN4","additional_properties":{},"content":"An Irish citizen since 2020, the 29-year-old Tonosa has already won a series of national titles on the track and the road, but this one felt special for many reasons, Dublin being his hometown since 2017.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5O3RGWGRINADBOBJIMZEFTRDFU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“When we got to UCD [around 21 miles], I said ‘I’m still here, now I have to work hard’, but I’m very happy with that,” he said. “And all the Irish support out there behind me, cheering me and helping me.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A6KVTSQ645FJPMUGIRJFR7J424","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Everywhere, every station, every place, oh my God everyone was calling for me. That’s why I ran very well today.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"K2FXX63YTVDAJOXW5BWHJ7D4HE","additional_properties":{},"content":"After his first arrival in Ireland, Tonosa soon fell under the coaching guidance of Eddie McDonagh, at Dundrum South Dublin; although no longer working directly with his most recent coach Feidhlim Kelly, the two remain close friends.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YYPR72VBHBHS3EOMZA2RKP4IYE","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the race for the runner-up places in the men’s national championship, Ryan Creech from Leevale held on in ninth place overall, running 2:13:49, and clear just of William Maunsell from Clonmel AC, who clocked 2:14:23, good enough for 10th overall. Creech also led Leevale to the team race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M4BPKGG3BCVBY33LDNCNLR6ZUU","additional_properties":{"_id":"4JU2LLV46VA3ZIBDYXS2TM7VQE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"EJGLEAGI65BXFMAAV3PJ4GSFDQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"By her own admission, McGlynn’s best marathon running days are likely coming to an end, which made her defence of her national title even sweeter – slightly faster than she ran last year too, but immeasurably more difficult.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HIB5FJJIJZGXDFKABV3T23ZJM4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I’m a crier, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I really wanted that today,” she said. “Look, I’m 45 in February, I’m ready to take a little stop to the side, and let all them young ones come through. It is getting tiring, mentally and physically. But there aren’t many 44-year-olds doing what I did today, so I’m going to enjoy this one.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6MW2IBGYHJBXVOJGGID6G5CWVU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And I wanted that. I had company up to halfway, did not know what was going to happen, but I didn’t panic. Then I was holding back tears at 24 miles, my hamstrings were pinging on me, I had a wee mantra written on my hand, and I kept saying it. And I’m ready to enjoy this one more than I did last year, soak it all up.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KNTCKSGEOFDDHKTBPGN3I4CKTA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I knew I always had the hunger, although it was harder today than last year.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ES7P2UKZE5CT7CNEWJMMKZ4XTQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Now coached by Emmett Dunleavy, McGlynn enjoyed a similar day of days last year, winning her first national marathon title after coming so close in her previous two attempts, in 2022, and 2019.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KJSSVK7MGZDW7B4UPFGANZ5GIU","additional_properties":{},"content":"A sort of early running prodigy in her native Tullamore, McGlynn (née Larkin) won her first underage title at age 13, before starting in UCD at age 18. Just two months after that, her coach at UCD, Dublin Marathon co-founder Noel Carroll, died suddenly at age 56.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FZ7QOR7HORBAXMYI2FY6BET5OY","additional_properties":{},"content":"She drifted away from elite running around age 23, then came back at age 32, inspired by her youngest son Alfie, who endured a near-fatal illness shortly after his birth in 2012. She also has a 14-year-old daughter Lexie, the family now resident in Strabane.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NU2W2IU4H5CHDPNBFST4F466F4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Up here I was strong” she said, pointing to her head, “but my legs were testing me, testing me ... But the crowd, they were all saying ‘Again Ann-Marie!’ The support out there was outstanding.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q3WWGYDV2NAHJKODOH3KYJE4BQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And someone shouted at me coming up Roebuck, ‘Noel Carroll is watching you’, and I really believe he is. I know he will be proud. And well done to the Dublin Marathon as well, the race organiser Jim Aughney, I love crossing that line and falling into his arms because he does so much for Irish athletics, for Irish marathons, he’s always there, hugely supportive, and they deserve great the praise as well.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MEFEPB7AMJERLNEW7U4XBPOY6Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"The wheelchair race was won by Sean Frame of Great Britain in a time of 1.45.31.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2UA4R5T2IVASVFK73TPC37I4DQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>2024 Dublin Marathon</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"PKYRPGCYOFAZ3DNI4RGNWDT6UY","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Overall men</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QJSXUSNCUBGEPJVZZNZROGEAMM","additional_properties":{},"content":"1 M Kemei (Kenya) 2:08:47","type":"text"},{"_id":"BYWDGZECEBH4BM2VTXD2GD7FR4","additional_properties":{},"content":"2 A Desalew (Ethiopia) 2:09:24","type":"text"},{"_id":"4JYDIYRXZFAJDBP3K7QGPLST6M","additional_properties":{},"content":"3 H Tonosa (Dundrum South Dublin AC) 2:09:42","type":"text"},{"_id":"62ZRLG6QYBG7ZPOTDYYCEYHTEQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Overall women</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"F5ETFADOXBAAVFFFDGKYOTKYCU","additional_properties":{},"content":"1 A Nega (Ethiopia) 2:24:13,","type":"text"},{"_id":"GADSQFLHEZCDPCVZD2B2MIVLRM","additional_properties":{},"content":"2 S Negash (Ethiopia) 2:24:45,","type":"text"},{"_id":"MJZVQAVS6NENBBSU3KCFRJSWYM","additional_properties":{},"content":"3 G Dukale (Ethiopia) 2:28:29 National","type":"text"},{"_id":"3QHDYXQ65VEX5G73I3PIRMT7NY","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Irish men</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G3SJKJVY7JDRDNILO2CVAGKHEE","additional_properties":{},"content":"1 H Tonosa (Dundrum South Dublin AC) 2:09:42","type":"text"},{"_id":"6Q4NPQ24WRABXKYAG6IDPCSKPA","additional_properties":{},"content":"2 R Creech (Leevale AC) 2:13:48,","type":"text"},{"_id":"UBGFO7QXJNDVJCZ7WPQWHMBEQM","additional_properties":{},"content":"3 W Maunsell (Clonmel AC) 2:14:22","type":"text"},{"_id":"7W3J6ZFHEZC4XASVBECCEDYR3M","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Irish women</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EO4BENKMUBHL5HO2VOQ2I4SQOQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"1 AM McGlynn (Letterkenny AC) 2:34:05","type":"text"},{"_id":"ECYUVR2GK5HJBIXMZJPH32QOXY","additional_properties":{},"content":"2 A Kilgallon (Sligo AC) 2:35:56","type":"text"},{"_id":"G4766D6QABFL3HKILK5QSZ3MOU","additional_properties":{},"content":"3 G Lynch (Dundrum South Dublin AC) 2:36:09","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Ann-Marie McGlynn of Letterkenny AC defended her national in 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if ever in the history of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> has there been such wild elation at the finish as exhibited by Hiko Tonosa on Sunday morning, his third place overall in 2:09:42 the fastest marathon ever run by an Irishman.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N6CW6MRLHVF3LOMF73CPQ66MP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457883},"content":"With that the 29-year-old, running for Dundrum South Dublin, took one glance up at the clock, then grabbed an Irish flag and promptly ran back down the finish on Mount Street to similar wild elation from the Dublin support.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N4K7T3VNGFBNHIYXEX5Z5CFC2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457884},"content":"“I was thinking to get the Irish flag around 1km to go, I couldn’t find it, but I knew one day I can hold this flag,” Tonosa said. “This is the one [country] that saved my life, so I need to hold this.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"WWURT62YHFG6NPIFUFYDECYUWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457885},"content":"Moses Kemei from Kenya took the victory in 2:08:47, the 31-year-old also taking the top prize of $15,000, making his decisive move inside the last couple of miles. Abebaw Desalew from Ethiopia held on for second in 2:09:24.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I7WG6W274VDDJH4EXPGBAPPLTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457886},"content":"Then came Tonosa, rewarded for his brave and beautifully balanced effort over the 26.2 miles. It’s been a long, hard road for the 29-year-old up to this point, in more ways than one, and his first reaction afterwards, the Irish flag still draped around his shoulders, was one of immense pride.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4GR6FBBKPVBONOGAV5EINXVUMY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457887},"content":"“It was a fantastic day for me, I’m so happy with my run,” he said. “I’ve come back from a lot of injuries. But it was my plan to get the Irish record anyway, and I’m so happy to do it in Dublin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C4MPLGRBI5AVBPPANICPASVTM4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457888},"content":"“For the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/european-athletics-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">European Championship</a> marathon [in Rome in June], for the London Marathon [in April], I was very fit, but I had a lot of injury. But I didn’t tell anyone, because I needed something to happen. Because I was planning to stop running.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C4E2CDDKNJFVRMDX35IXKFKNJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457889},"content":"“Now, this was my home championship. Everyone said go to Berlin, but my plan was always to run Dublin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F6SCIHPDNZEM5B4XVINADFXYNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457890},"content":"Tonosa first sought asylum in Ireland from his war-torn village in Ethiopia in 2017. An Irish citizen since March 2020, he was on course to qualify for the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris Olympics</a> when passing the halfway mark in London last April in 63:39, before dropping off that pace.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MIBBSR4XX5HTZOR27OOBLWGMNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457891},"content":"Tonosa’s previous best of 2:15:01 was run in Valencia back in January – a time he smashed here by nearly six minutes. He also credited his former coach Feidhlim Kelly, the two remaining good friends, with Kelly also helping to convince him that Dublin would be his day of days.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OHQC3XYVNNEENFCH3437BBANAE","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457892},"content":"Indeed, afterwards, Tonosa presented Kelly with his National marathon gold medal as a thank you gift: “And thanks to Feidhlim, who did a lot of me. He’s still my friend, my brother, he knows everything”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5QVB2EJF4FAP5OLWKFRYJNM3DQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457893},"content":"Conditions for running were near ideal – no breeze, overcast, and dry – and after passing halfway in 64:13, Tonosa was sitting patiently in the group of around a dozen lead runners.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XZTGOUC7BVD7LKYVMYFAWFMA2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457894},"content":"In the end, his 2:09:42 improved Stephen Scullion’s previous Irish marathon record of 2:09:49, from London in 2020. John Treacy did run 2:09:15 in Boston in 1988, although that doesn’t count for record purposes due to Boston’s net downhill gradient.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4HELCGBICBCSXJOHD5B2BK6XKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457895},"content":"In all, Tonosa earned himself $5,000 for third, another €5,000 for breaking 2:12, plus the €3,500 for being top Irish finisher.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PRK442NUCRH6FBSKVYW4CTGLIA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457896},"content":"Emotions were also running high after Ann-Marie McGlynn of Letterkenny AC defended her national title in 2.34.05, good enough for sixth overall. The silver and bronze medals there went to Aoife Kilgallon of Sligo AC (2:35:56) and Grance Lynch of Dundrum South Dublin (2:36:09)","type":"text"},{"_id":"EDSAGGHTLBFHLH5KKLLSHWLO3U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730045457897},"content":"The race for the overall women’s victory was superfast throughout, Asmirach Nega from Ethiopia winning in a course record time of 2.24.13 (also winning $15,000), ahead of Sorome Negash (2.24.45) and Grete Dukale (2.28.29) also of Ethiopia.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Twenty-nine-year-old running for Dundrum South Dublin couldn’t contain his justified elation following a massive effort"},"display_date":"2024-10-27T17:27:12.716Z","headlines":{"basic":"Proud day for Hiko Tonasa as he sets new Irish marathon record","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"CPCGE5O5SUMLRTXE7YBAF6XRXU","auth":{"1":"b1aebe66799ff27f2c37fabe70a96b90222369aea9c3d2fc82ec43de6283215d"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/CPCGE5O5SUMLRTXE7YBAF6XRXU.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/27/proud-day-for-hiko-tonasa-as-he-sets-new-irish-marathon-record/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"V4P5RSE5YFHUZPEYWT4XLDMUME","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":84,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/cccdb49b-179d-4b57-abcb-4f60d77a0cee/versions/1730025016/media/e7edf265fb1eb061a55392f5841ea6c6_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/ireland/dublin/2024/10/27/colin-farrell-among-participants-as-20000-run-dublin-marathon/","content_elements":[{"_id":"AZHXYPYPJBH27GYUTUBHREP6R4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360867},"content":"More than 22,000 people have taken part in the Irish Life <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> on Sunday, with actor <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/colin-farrell/\" target=\"_blank\">Colin Farrell</a> among this year’s participants.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4UQQZIGGBNE6PM4TSLU7B4JA5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360869},"content":"Farrell (48) crossed the finish line in just over four hours, pushing his friend Emma Fogarty (40), who suffers from a rare skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa (EB), in a wheelchair for the last 2.5 miles of the race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RBI3KBVFD5B47CCPNYPNQIB5OM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360870},"content":"“I have known Emma for many years and she epitomises bravery, she is what courage and pure determination are all about,” said Farrell in a statement afterwards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XDOAXKR7TNFWVENKDHPJT6AIEM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360871},"content":"“That run was nothing compared to the pain she is forced to endure every single day, even though she doesn’t show it. It was an honour to see her waiting for me with 4km to go, each of those representing a decade of her life, and to do the final stretch together. I’ll never forget it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FATS62ISFZRMM7VWRBH54NAWY","additional_properties":{"_id":"3JAY3JWUX5AZ3CRSJPIIWYQLL4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PZWSSE2GONHPPEQ3FKH4SZSZTY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360872},"content":"The Castleknock native has so far raised more than €700,000 for Debra, the national charity that supports those living with EB.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V4FYWYPPQBDP3I3WABYYXGIOJM","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360873},"content":"This year’s marathon route had changed slightly, with the start line on Leeson Street Lower, before crossing the river Liffey close to Heuston Station and going through Stoneybatter, the North Circular Rd and into the Phoenix Park.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OD5C6C6BNFC35OGDH2GPPDGGZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360874},"content":"Runners then crossed the river again and headed down the South Circular Road and Dolphin’s Barn and on through the city’s suburbs in advance of the finish line on Mount Street Upper.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3FSTVESCRJBLZJRVYJS7X4MSI4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360875},"content":"Ger Copeland (46), from Howth, who suffered three brain haemorrhages and a stroke following a skiing accident earlier this year, was also among this year’s participants.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M6XE32J4OJBH5PCUDJ4DN3TKCI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360876},"content":"Mr Copeland, who has run 300 marathons and finished with a time of 3 hours 6 minutes, said the race had been “very emotional”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TQTQ7R6FZRA5LPJ5ZCCYNF7BQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360877},"content":"“I was told I would never eat, walk, see, hear again. I had to learn how to rewalk, how to swallow, to see. I had to relearn how to do everything,” he said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7NAKXWRW6BCTJMBZJUGNG2L5KU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360878},"content":"“I’m in constant pain. I have no feeling in my right side, I have Horner syndrome in the left side of my face. I’m blind in one eye, my organs on my right side are only working at 20 per cent.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QZRJQRXOXNBM3KOB4X3UCESE6Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360879},"content":"“I just wanted to get through it, whether it was six or seven hours, or if I had to do it with a zimmer frame or poles, whatever way I could get through it. I’ll never be who I was before, but I’m certainly better than anybody could ever imagined.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JKYBI42CM5ABPEACFEMF34VL24","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360880},"content":"Mr Copeland was presented with the Lord Mayor’s medal at the start line this morning by Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan and said he planned to celebrate with “a batter burger and a Diet Coke – the same as always”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GGXADJ7IVZHM3NGXAAPHKEV62Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360881},"content":"Mr Geoghegan said there had been changes to the route after concerns had been raised previously about expectant mothers travelling into the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3P4ZL35BGVETJHD4CVDHO27OQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360882},"content":"“They’ve tried to find a new location that still feels like the essence of Dublin and I think we have a great atmosphere,” Cllr Geoghegan said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3DAEIKHIDJHOTKTGXPMVGIP6TI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360883},"content":"“There’s a good finish here at Mount Street, lots of noise. I think for this year it’s worked, everything has to stay under review but to my mind, it’s another successful event. This is the best of Dublin.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GSGSIY5NEBEVJB75Y4XYVROMRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730040360884},"content":"Kenya’s Moses Kemei won the Dublin marathon with a time of 2:08.47. Asmirach Nega was the first-placed woman in a course record time of 2:24.13.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3FJEY2OJFBPHRARTQLZFZ2HMEY","additional_properties":{"_id":"YXKSXIHEYFDRHIZ73K6K5FLOOE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VOEPFTUWINAEVNSVCMXNDKWPVU","additional_properties":{"_id":"EA3IYN7XR5FBHJR4D52BZOIN4Q"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sarah Burns"}},"name":"Sarah Burns"}]},"description":{"basic":"Farrell (48) crossed the finish line in just over four hours, pushing his friend Emma Fogarty (40), who suffers from a rare skin condition"},"display_date":"2024-10-27T10:59:03.598Z","headlines":{"basic":"Colin Farrell among participants as 22,000 run in Dublin Marathon","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"HWAOFQMNFBBNXO5WPCW7KZR3HY","auth":{"1":"bc87d553c3e0473ff932e12f810186350aa1e70ad412570cd57d198dc001ac9c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/HWAOFQMNFBBNXO5WPCW7KZR3HY.JPG"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Dublin"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Ireland"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/ireland/dublin/2024/10/27/colin-farrell-among-participants-as-20000-run-dublin-marathon/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/ireland/dublin","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Dublin"}}}},{"_id":"DGXVS7Z6R5FL5CWJF3IPF3VC2M","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":472,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/85204cfb-a429-497d-a961-012787ed33d2/versions/1729788799/media/f892cb5fbc52f2af6520dcaf52f10942_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/26/ann-marie-mcglynn-interview-i-probably-didnt-know-what-depression-was-before-that-and-i-remembered-then-why-i-loved-running/","content_elements":[{"_id":"F6OEZO4ZPBDBFJBOAXJQ2MNXO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873720},"content":"Like any moment in life of profound sadness and loss, Ann-Marie McGlynn will never forget where she was or what she was doing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UFVSBRC5IZF6FHRWNA5YMSNXX4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787286141},"content":"It was this week of October 1998, back when she was the still teenage running prodigy Ann-Marie Larkin, from Tullamore, fresh into her first term at University College Dublin (UCD).","type":"text"},{"_id":"I4VOCF7LP5DD5M6ETTLUQC7MRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873721},"content":"Courted by several colleges in the US, including Providence, the then 18-year-old decided instead to pursue her running at UCD with the coach Noel Carroll.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E6NPPOKICNB4RERHX7BGHMSNH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873722},"content":"Like many athletes of a certain generation, she didn’t need to be told about Carroll’s status in the sport – a two-time Olympian over 400m/800m, European and World Indoor record holder, and co-founder of the Dublin Marathon in 1980.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MQJFTZFHVBALPAVSDUDOWYVAOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873723},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"P44V2IDN4VDLDOGLMVBLM62XIQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873724},"content":"“I was supposed to go to Providence, and chickened out, just said ‘I can’t do it’,” McGlynn says now. “So I went to Dublin, and he [Carroll] took a chance on me.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ONEXXQ6XDVFDPB2Q44KHTN4GHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873725},"content":"“He was just a legend. I can even see him now, his face, driving into UCD, his white hair, just the way he was with the guys. You have to remember I was the only girl, it was tough. But he always made me feel welcome.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NOUFSCG4DFFPZH2SC5OWBEZXHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873726},"content":"So to that fateful lunchtime run round Belfield on the Friday, October 23rd, just four days before the start of the 1998 Dublin Marathon, when after finishing a five-mile loop with the Walker twins, Andrew and Kevin, Carroll suddenly dropped dead in front of them. He was only 56 years of age.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z3QKODXR7RCKBPWL27Q6IUQCCI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873727},"content":"McGlynn was spared the trauma of witnessing it, in part because Carroll himself had advised her to head home for the Halloween weekend.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6NH2O4QHQJDBVEUWAPVYMZXX6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873728},"content":"“I remember about two weeks out from when he died, he pulled me aside at the sports centre, from where we used to run around at lunchtime. All the boys were there, and he was like, ‘Ann Marie, I’m so glad I took a chance on you, you’ll fit this programme 100 per cent, I’ve no worries and I’m excited’.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S4MBO7SGQBHONPVAL4NDROTO3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873729},"content":"“Then it came to the Halloween weekend, he said on the Thursday evening, ‘Do you want to go home, or do you want to meet us on Friday?’ I was undecided and he was like, ‘Go home, go home early’.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HHUB4MF63RHEXKGIMNVTKAQEKA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873730},"content":"“And then he met Andrew and Kevin. So I wasn’t there . . . but my last conversations with him were second to none, he was so proud to take me under his wing. It was hard for me, I was only with him a couple of months, but the bond we had formed stayed with me.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OCANQC4OHNHE7FHL2MPHLBTKSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873731},"content":"“I think it was Dave [Matthews] who rang me to tell me. Then I remember we went to his funeral, and we had a run in our programme that day, and the boys were like, ‘We can’t miss it, let’s go’. And I’ll never forget running around UCD and it rained heavy on us, I just thought, ‘he’s testing us!’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"PWAQHH7PNJD5FBUMQNGHVL2PZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873732},"content":"Fast forward a decade or so, and after winning the Irish indoor title over 800m in 2008, having won her first national underage title at age 13, McGlynn drifted away from running. She’d met her husband Trevor through his training group and, although they briefly contemplated moving back in Tullamore, settled instead in Strabane, Co Tyrone.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B4I4YLQ3PZHZREOUPB47WGKIGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873733},"content":"“We went to Tullamore for a wet week, and he was like, ‘no, it’s not for me’ and he had a place eyed up for a barber shop just outside Strabane.","type":"text"},{"_id":"26K6HIDESFAZXFR2U4ELWR5QO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873734},"content":"“That was us tied into the North, but I loved it, and it [running] just got harder then. I wasn’t doing the work I should have been doing. I was kind of kidding myself, ‘I’ll do half of that, a bit of this’. Then I put my hand up, and said I’d rather step away and not waste someone’s time coaching me.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IPWH3FEEABGWPDPMW5JJNHKN3M","additional_properties":{"_id":"TMOR2XKUU5AR5OVGS7KTJFF7GI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"P2OUIYNYKRFQVEFBU6HTEY7ZB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873735},"content":"“I never talked about coming back, never followed athletics even when I was out. Trevor would say ‘she’s running well’, but I had no interest, never watched it, had no bad feeling towards it. Or regret. Or miss it. It’s mad.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ESYOMEROSZB5DJ4KRPMVM6G7GY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873736},"content":"“I did a bit of, you know, partying and loving life, then we set a date, got married, then we had Lexie, then Alfie . . .”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5DSSDDZPJRDXHLL776P2FG2FTU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873737},"content":"McGlynn trails off here, because this also marked the next turning point in her running career; three weeks after his birth in 2012, Alfie was taken to hospital with a severe dose of bronchiolitis and a collapsed lung.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BSDI72SK6RHWDOFWEQC37APZ6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873738},"content":"“He was originally in hospital for three weeks, between Derry, rushed to ITU in Belfast, then back to Derry to recover. The nurses in Derry thought he’d never be back, but you look at him now, you’d know nothing, he knows nothing, he asks the odd question, but I think that’s why he has the connection with my running.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4DYUABCQVRE6BPMTAAH7BTUAIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873739},"content":"“But back then I just needed something. We were just told maybe he won’t be coming home with us. And I thought ‘oh, he’s coming home!’","type":"text"},{"_id":"7OZ7MDZFBVCYTGRCMJX2UUXVNI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873740},"content":"“I probably didn’t know what depression was before that. The doctor said it to me, but I could just feel myself in a place I was never in before. And it just gave me strength, that’s why I’m here, because he [Alfie] definitely wasn’t coming home, even the doctors were shocked.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6W2X6ROVLLNWCJ7Q3H7WWVCR3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"XIEX5LFKFZH2DOGRAQ2ISQO4SM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"P5XOTEOMHRDHJCOCFS673VDTVY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873741},"content":"“I was just in a bad place, put my shoes on, and ran. And I got fit, and he got healthy. It definitely gave me strength, and I remembered then why I loved running, that it took you to a place that was different, and you had all those endorphins, you’re in a great place mentally, and physically obviously.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OQNBBO2SZFHPNNIG5VEP5C2NMI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873742},"content":"As Alfie grew fit and strong again, so did McGlynn’s running career, starting exactly one year after his birth, in 2013: “I’d looked up Athletics Ireland races, the All-Ireland indoors were on his birthday, and I thought ‘maybe I’ll go there.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCYBUW2J55FONMKE5BUAJJEF7Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873743},"content":"“So I tried the 3k, he was on the sideline, and I swear I was holding back the tears, was in a podium position. I think I was second or third. And that’s also when everyone copped that’s Ann-Marie Larkin! Because it was my first race back as Ann-Marie McGlynn.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UFEWBD5N4ZHNPJEOGTXAIGDZGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873744},"content":"“I got in under the radar, but sure after that everyone got wind of it, Frank Greally of Irish Runner had it, there was no hiding it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QSZRSBC3BRFW7LMONRYDZPTGBE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873745},"content":"Now coached by Emmett Dunleavy, McGlynn had her days of days in last year’s Dublin Marathon, at age 43, finishing fifth-best woman and best of the Irish, with that also winning the national title she’d come so close to in her previous two attempts, in 2022, and 2019.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULRVSCI4WZECJM6RQK4V2ZZB2Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873746},"content":"Peaking in her 40s is not usual. Mayo-born Sinead Diver, also a mother of two and now representing Australia, ran 2:21:34 at the 2022 Valencia Marathon, when (whisper it) she was just over two months shy of turning 46.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TBOTAVWOKVACFBZQWHVPNGUIJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873747},"content":"Heading into Sunday’s race, McGlynn is hopeful of defending her national title, conscious she’s also the marked woman now.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VNEH52NHSBD57DLM6LNAJADVMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873748},"content":"“When I was getting it [the national marathon cup] engraved I said to the guy, ‘I hope I’ll have that back to you next year’. I want to bring it back, don’t want to leave it. I won’t let it be the detriment of my race either.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VPOIYPGVCFESBLKA2KOZLHSEWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873749},"content":"“Like its 26.2 miles. You could be loving life at Roebuck, you get to the American Embassy you could be, ‘argh!’ It’s a long way around for anything to happen, so you just want to hope that your stars align on the day.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GY6QOJ6WZZH3FPAVPLNYZJLHQI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729780873750},"content":"Just like last year, actually.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Having won her first national underage title at age 13, at 43 the Offaly native claimed the national title by finishing fifth-best woman in the Dublin Marathon"},"display_date":"2024-10-26T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ann-Marie McGlynn interview: ‘I probably didn’t know what depression was before that ... and I remembered then why I loved running’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"BZBXO5JG4OTWIWH4VWHYD4YHBU","auth":{"1":"27fc4c525e295cbf928166566e8b23961cf7b0566f1288d6a1fc4b9554f47431"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/BZBXO5JG4OTWIWH4VWHYD4YHBU.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/26/ann-marie-mcglynn-interview-i-probably-didnt-know-what-depression-was-before-that-and-i-remembered-then-why-i-loved-running/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"3RI3YYOP5JDQPKRAGY7UBWAVPE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":361,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/de2870b2-7793-42e8-88e2-9362547c8332/versions/1729864749/media/68548b67f7f35793080cc0d215fe9e9a_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/25/remembering-jerry-kiernans-enduring-influence-on-the-dublin-marathon/","content_elements":[{"_id":"2ZFMD43PH5C5HGPI7RT4OEXJDM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101889},"content":"My only tip-off was that the park bench in question was somewhere east of Marlay House, within the small cluster of trees around the Grange Road entrance. After that it should be easily identified as the one freshly inscribed with the name Jerry Kiernan.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X7L7TSP6HNBBBAIH7TZH4FKWAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101890},"content":"My search began earlier this week, and promptly reminded me of that scene from In the Name of the Father, where Gerry Conlon’s solicitor Gareth Peirce (deftly played by Emma Thompson) is snooping around park benches in London in between young couples trying to find an old inscription made by the Charlie Burke character, Conlon’s only alibi after he was falsely convicted of the Guildford pub bombings in October 1974, 50 years ago this month.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GAXXRSWM6BHNHP6KTL377K3E2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101891},"content":"The same piece of evidence that in Conlon’s trial was marked “not to be shown to the defence”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3YNVNB6CEFCY5IKM52BRDSKADE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101892},"content":"Kiernan’s inscription soon revealed itself, suitably illuminated by the bright autumn sunshine, a small golden plaque at the top of the park bench with the words:","type":"text"},{"_id":"MNRWTQKR3BHQ7OY6YJZOORD7RQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101893},"content":"<i>In memory of Jerry Kiernan, 31 May 1953 – 21 January 2021</i>","type":"text"},{"_id":"63JOIYTSVBGBPCTOJ2426DXHP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101894},"content":"Whether or not this was deliberately planned for the run-up to Sunday’s <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> is unclear, but it’s a nonetheless timely and fitting tribute, given Kiernan’s still enduring influence and impact on the event. With the possible exception of Dublin Marathon co-founder Noel Carroll, Kiernan is still the one athlete who comes to my mind when the event rolls around every October bank holiday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GQFYR245QRA3XFKKD354EP4HCQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101895},"content":"It was said to me later that this part of south county Dublin wasn’t really Kiernan’s old ground, unlike say Belfield, or Leopardstown Racecourse. As a matter of fact, one of Kiernan’s all-time favourite runs, both from his own competitive days and later when coaching his many young proteges, was up the brutally steep climb of Kilmashogue Lane, just out the top entrance to Marlay Park off College Road.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QRCL6PXBUVA3LIQQEVGNIZAYPE","additional_properties":{"_id":"664IIDNWKNBJBAPXXYLDAO4H2E"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"DRGN7VT3ZBFZBJ242YSV3APE44","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101896},"content":"Go back over the previous 42 editions of the Dublin Marathon, and few if any athletes tore into the classic distance with greater intent than Kiernan did in 1982, when making his marathon debut. Then aged 29, Kiernan had watched the first two editions of the event, Dick Hooper winning the first race in 1980, then Neil Cusack in 1981, and reasoned that he had regularly beat those two on the roads.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QOSMPE477NDSJLXTMJJXMYM3HA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101897},"content":"So, by the 15-mile marker, Kiernan was running close to the world record, his Clonliffe Harriers club-mate David Taylor acting as a sort of unofficial pacemaker alongside him. Despite stopping to walk three times before the finish around Merrion Square, Kiernan still won in 2:13:47, which would stand as the Dublin course record until 2004.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RUE43OMGVVGCTN24GYX46N2JRA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101898},"content":"Kiernan would win Dublin again in 1992, and the lesson of that first race perhaps applied most memorably at the 1984 Olympic marathon in LA, where he moved more sensibly through the miles to finish ninth in a lifetime best of 2:12:20.","type":"text"},{"_id":"35EDLC7INRCI7EOWVRRNKYDHUA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101899},"content":"Incidentally, there was also a memorial bench unveiled for Carroll a few years back at his home village of Annagassan in Co Louth, right where the river Glyde enters the Irish Sea, directly overlooking the small harbour and across the road from the house where Carroll was born and raised.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CX3255RK2NDDLFKSYFL4TVGWQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101900},"content":"It’s inscribed with one of Carroll’s many still enduring running quotes – “There’s a time to train and a time to rest; it is a true test of the runner to get them both right” – which for every runner I know still has lasting purpose and meaning.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LOU752YVWZNB5KJCSZ3F2NP6OE","additional_properties":{"_id":"57WFNJIK7RAVDMDA4BTDEAJ2LA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JSVV7BUCONB77DNQOVPXMDPYVM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101901},"content":"When Carroll helped start up that first Dublin Marathon in 1980, of course he felt obliged to run it too, even though it was a long way off his best distance of 800m. “It’s not the distance that kills, it’s the pace,” he would later say of the marathon, wise words that still ring perfectly true.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N2KQECZDSBGFPP6OLIUF7Y5GLY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101902},"content":"Carroll’s sudden death this weekend 16 years ago – mid-stride, as it were, after his regular lunchtime training run around UCD – still feels unfathomable. Carroll was only 56, the embodiment of clean living and physical fitness, the sadly gentle irony being he died of a suspected heart attack doing what he loved to do all of his life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7Q2X7JFXHBFGHMKIB7BVOPFXY4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101903},"content":"So much of what Carroll achieved came from the heart of distance running, and when it came to the art itself, he lived by his first and most lasting mantra: “You either ran today or you didn’t.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NEZXD634WVCWNA2DMG6LCZ4N64","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101904},"content":"Indeed Carroll’s memorial bench at Annagassan could be inscribed with any one of those many enduring running quotes; “Have you run yet today?”; “If you find yourself too busy to run on any given day, then you’re too busy”; or my old favourite, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only weak runners”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IKBMZRHMPZHO7KXDK2XTYWJJB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101905},"content":"When after Kiernan’s death following a short illness in January of 2021, aged 67, his long-time friend, training partner and running ally Murt Coleman first toyed with the idea of setting up the Jerry Kiernan Foundation, the intention was two-fold. Yes, to raise some funds for the young athletes who might not otherwise be eligible for financial assistance, but also as a way to keep giving back some of what Kiernan still left behind, remembering him not just in words but some meaning too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6I7BUO6T3BEDXKHM7H5ZGWVLTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101906},"content":"Coleman also saw how even a little financial support could go a long way. In 1984, the headmaster at Kiernan’s old school, St Brigid’s in Foxrock, had raised, without any request, a small contribution towards Kiernan’s Olympic preparations that summer. It afforded him the chance to travel to Los Angeles well in advance and complete the acclimatisation process.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3XAPRLZRR5AZJJ4MTLZJQIXQGY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101907},"content":"Speaking to me ahead of Sunday’s Dublin Marathon, Hugh Armstrong, the 30-year-old from Mayo who is also one of the favourites to win the national marathon title, highlighted some of the difficulties of effectively training full-time for marathon (his best time is 2:12:26), while also working full-time (Armstrong has been an accountant with An Post since 2022), and all without any sponsor.","type":"text"},{"_id":"273EKZHRWVBQJPR42AOFMDT3SQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101908},"content":"“I’d love to go full-time, if I could afford it, or even take a few months off to focus only on training for a short period of time,” Armstrong said, before also stressing his appreciation for the small financial assistance he gets from the Jerry Kiernan Foundation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AJ5GS26KBNGWHGGTBIC7F5N4XQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729862101909},"content":"The sort of small touches that Kiernan himself always appreciated.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"A trip to Marlay Park this week brought back memories of the man who won the race twice, including at his first attempt in 1982"},"display_date":"2024-10-25T13:53:53.039Z","headlines":{"basic":"Remembering Jerry Kiernan’s enduring influence on the Dublin Marathon","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"X5RZWBIQOFAYTI32UTESHICFFY","auth":{"1":"651f180cafea6fbc7c65805ab672ee32a4d271b2e90c7f0a09e1407f9f816ee4"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/X5RZWBIQOFAYTI32UTESHICFFY.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/25/remembering-jerry-kiernans-enduring-influence-on-the-dublin-marathon/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"R4TFIN4Q6JDWTFLWZQUQPBKXPY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":226,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/319c52fe-4ad0-4f79-9961-65c37ac9a82d/versions/1729792109/media/61085c75b7935fcdadbfa6f94579807e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/25/hugh-armstrong-coming-into-dublin-marathon-with-strong-form/","content_elements":[{"_id":"BMJEGN72IZAPHGO5TNEL62NCYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869256},"content":"Back in 2001, keen to boost the number of Irish entries, organisers of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> started a countdown series of races that also became a good indicator of marathon potential come the day itself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4T7K4CPRN5CKVM5VVGEUD7J5JY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869257},"content":"In advance of this Sunday’s marathon, Hugh Armstrong became the first man to win all four countdown races — the now five-mile, 10km, 10-mile, and half-marathon — and that’s unquestionably a good indication of his potential.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6Q4G75ESQJEFBJTWMI7F5IGHXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869258},"content":"Since 2003, Dublin has also doubled as the national marathon, and it was here five years ago that Armstrong made his marathon debut, finishing third best Irish man in 2:14:22. He’s since run 2:12:26 (in Seville in 2020) and 2:13:24 in Hamburg earlier this year, and the 30-year-old from Ballina, who now lives in Dublin working as an accountant with An Post, is upbeat about his prospects.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N4VFBYZIFFERDOY4E5NFPAKUWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869259},"content":"“I do feel like I’m probably capable of running close to my best if we get a good day in Dublin,” he says. “It’s a tough enough course, but you can run fast, Stephen Scullion ran around 2:12 or just under in the last few years in it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y3KDYAUZABCT3BBABHWRJZXML4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869260},"content":"“When I ran that 2:13 in Hamburg I was still doing a good percentage of my training on the cross-trainer, as I was coming back from injury. This time now I’ve been able to up the mileage that bit more so.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XMYQUKFRDBBDXC7EPBF7FRBIQA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869261},"content":"Armstrong identifies Hiko Tonosa as one of his main rivals for that national title on Sunday and for good reason. At age 29, having first sought asylum in Ireland from his war-torn village in Ethiopia in 2017, and a citizen since March 2020, Tonosa was well on course to qualify for the Paris Olympics when passing the halfway mark in last April’s London Marathon in 63:39.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GJIENKE5JJDXHK5PS5JUAPLSXU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869262},"content":"It was only in the final few miles that he dropped off that pace, and having recently run 1:02:46 at the Larne half-marathon in August, he looks well primed for a top finish on Sunday. Tonosa’s best of 2:15:01 was run in Valencia back in January.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZBHBLQIUVGV3OTQQ5AAPISTYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"LYUNUCMWEZHF5GDTG666FGTHDU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UDINUO5GZ5EGZCPKND65JXV4YQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869263},"content":"There will be plenty of runners for Armstrong to contend with, including Cork’s Ryan Creech of Leevale AC, who achieved a personal best of 2:12:28 in Seville earlier this year, and was second Irishman last year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TINF7GPSZRHQRCKLVG6VPUFBVM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869264},"content":"Armstrong also won his first national title in September, at the Charleville half-marathon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZYY4JSVS7BHZNNU64EJEP27UEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729790231218},"content":"“I’ve won a medal in the marathon, won a medal in the half before, and on the track, but not the gold before, so that was good. The international field also looks very strong, so there will be plenty of people to run with.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XV757YUC7REW7ND5A6227ISWJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869265},"content":"Spain’s Aya Lamdassem is considered the leading contender for the men’s overall win, with a personal best of 2:06:25 achieved in Seville in 2022, along with Aweke Ayalew from Bahrain, Abebaw Desalew from Ethiopia and Amine Khadirir from Cyprus.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3QSJWTWSZFBU7EBVLLAEXUVUWQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869266},"content":"Sorome Negash, also from Ethiopia, is back to defend her women’s title, won last year in 2:26:22, along with fellow Ethiopian Muliye Dekebo, who has a best of 2:25:35.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IUWOHYP3FRCZDEHJW5KCG44UJA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869267},"content":"Ann-Marie McGlynn, who finished fifth overall last year and first Irish woman in 2:34:13, is aiming to defend her national title, The 44-year-old, originally from Tullamore, now lives in Strabane with her family.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6SBLD6BFLNGKPDKLFMXM4AUUKI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729787869268},"content":"McGlynn will face competition from Gladys Ganiel of North Belfast Harriers, who finished second in last year’s national championship. Other national title contenders include Caitlyn Harvey (Road Runners AC) and Grace Lynch (DSD AC).","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Ballina native upbeat about title prospects as ‘capable of running close to my best if we get a good day’ in the city"},"display_date":"2024-10-25T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Hugh Armstrong coming into Dublin Marathon with strong form","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"CN4FMTOWGYRCWQF7SNKCMEJF74","auth":{"1":"d3964cca2fab1eac9ec5e61c1616bdc25d64108e9f1a7f033490f92d90b18be9"},"focal_point":{"x":3460,"y":943},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/CN4FMTOWGYRCWQF7SNKCMEJF74.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/25/hugh-armstrong-coming-into-dublin-marathon-with-strong-form/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"6DQ2U46IL5CJ3D42VJI5S6WWLY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":397,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/ffd2df2c-8fe5-4fd2-9d42-d4815ba7211c/versions/1729778659/media/067cbc6daba607942152fc5a10bd5a3c_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/24/sonia-osullivan-a-home-victory-would-be-worth-so-much-more-to-the-dublin-marathon-than-course-records/","content_elements":[{"_id":"LVX6ZFO2ORH55MVVSEWODJ62G4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939249},"content":"Since its humble beginnings in 1980, it was an achievable target for our best runners to win or at least get on to the podium in the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin-marathon/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin Marathon</a> . Then over the last decade or so all that slowly and then suddenly changed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z6FEQAOBBJDDBGRRW2PIJ64M7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939250},"content":"This Sunday’s Dublin Marathon doubles as the National Championship so it will provide extra motivation for Irish athletes to line up and be as competitive as they can.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NL3VDAG2EFD4ZKWYQ2IZ3YMO6U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939251},"content":"In the 42 previous editions of the Dublin Marathon, there have been 12 Irish winners of both the men’s and women’s races. Times have changed, and Dublin is now highly regarded as an international big city marathon, so inevitably faster athletes have been invited to come and race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N7WK3SQHLVA6DGBSTS2SKQGJUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939252},"content":"Is there any great connection between these athletes and the general public watching? If anything, it can take away from the visibility and encouragement given to Irish athletes to be able to compete at their home event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"36PQZZ5BTVDJDGKRPJE45K7CAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939253},"content":"The international autumn marathon season is in full swing and there seems to be no ceiling on the women’s world record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OQVQOC2U4NEUJKJBWVLC5O2BHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729778337423},"content":"Earlier this month, Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich took nearly two minutes off the world record in Chicago, raising plenty of eyebrows in the process, smashing the 2:11:53 set just over a year previous in Berlin by Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KDUNW44WFJD55NXHS66U2Q5PIY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939254},"content":"So the fastest time by a woman now stands at 2:09:56, running at sub-five minute miles, which not so long ago was seen as a benchmark for pretty good running by a male marathon runner.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PVCBWVEI6VHBTLZ3DVJYFTQTLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939255},"content":"In fact, Stephen Scullion is the only Irishman who has officially run faster, with his 2:09:25 from London in 2020, and Chepngetich’s time also equals that run by John Treacy when winning the silver medal at the LA Olympics 40 years ago.","type":"text"},{"_id":"57O5G4QJIFH2DCBVKGUQDVFJMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939256},"content":"There have been some big changes in shoe technology since 2016, which has resulted in the ability to train at a higher level for a number of years now. This also helps with better recovery. As a result, we have seen more and more athletes across all levels push the bar higher every year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PVLP7447VNHDFHZOF2C7KHKSCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939257},"content":"This has resulted in marathon qualifying times for Olympics and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/world-athletics-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">World Championships</a> becoming more and more difficult to achieve for Irish athlete as they have struggled to keep up with the rising standards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M6CCYH5SFREPTC5IHP24TKCLJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939258},"content":"Fionnuala McCormack was our sole Olympic representative in the marathon this year in Paris, and yet she is running times that would leave her 5km behind the best in the world. Her best this year leaves her ranked 290th in the world, 35th in Europe. Remember too Catherina McKiernan still holds the Irish women’s record with her 2:22:23, set in Amsterdam way back in 1998.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZRU3KUYVW5GCNJ6WSN3AGUPSAI","additional_properties":{"_id":"RYLN5YDAVRHOPH5MKYHEWNP35Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ISVYBTUWRBEKXJZ5TNDWFMD6UQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939259},"content":"That’s not necessarily being critical of current Irish marathon standards, but I think there should be some way to mesh these together and encourage Irish athletes to reach a competitive level each year in Dublin and balance the field.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S467U65X6FE2BBENXU6BATMOCQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939260},"content":"We did see the result of this last year, when Scullion raised the excitement levels in the finishing straight when he finished in third place, and in the process ran his second fastest time ever 2:11.51.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6RHCKBENUFBWNCYIIKHYABEC5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939261},"content":"Even though the winner last year, Kemal Husen from Ethiopia, ran a course record 2:06:52, Dublin would not generally be considered a very fast course.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y6CX6V5TSRAKLJCKPWVPJNXMZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939262},"content":"The women’s race record dates back to 2010, when Tatyana Aryasova from Russia set a time of 2:26:13, long before any advancements in shoe technology (though she was later done for doping). So, with good conditions, there is every chance that the women’s record books may be rewritten this weekend.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MUTGAUDCNBCFPNISS46NMYJG7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939263},"content":"The Dublin Marathon has moved with the times and grown to the status it now holds in the marathon calendar among elite athletes due to the generous prize money and record bonuses.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z3CRQOFFONEAPADIQPNCLYITRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939264},"content":"But I think the Dublin Marathon should note what the Melbourne Marathon has done in recent years, and build the fields that create achievable races for national athletes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D2PFSOZKG5BT3DWQLJ6IDTJLW4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939265},"content":"McCormack is never going to line up against a host of Ethiopian athletes that she knows nothing about, but what a sweet victory that would be, just like Treacy when he signed off on his career at the Dublin Marathon in 1993.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P2MW5KVAIZCNJBO3MGKJZGOHGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939266},"content":"Is it really necessary to field a race of unknown athletes who literally just take the money and run? I believe the Dublin Marathon deserves to get better value and return for the prize money, and bonus money, that it dishes out every year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YHCQXBDRXBAZTA6EL65LISNZMI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729774229593},"content":"There is a shortfall that needs to be bridged and we can’t continually rely on the same athletes to turn up each year when there must be so many more people running and competing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZBHBLQIUVGV3OTQQ5AAPISTYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"HXCTI7O7NRAABMIBZXTHBONDZM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2TFW7VRPBZCULL5FRN6T55F5EA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939268},"content":"We have seen Irish athletes step up on the track this year but the marathon runners are lagging behind and it makes you wonder if we will ever be able to turn that around again. And is the gap so great that athletes are discouraged to push beyond the comfort zone?","type":"text"},{"_id":"NL5PJ4NGKFBQDIA6IPRBPZSWKI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729774229596},"content":"As a mass participation event, Dublin is more attractive than ever and now requires success in the ballot entry to claim one of the limited 22,500 places. It is also a huge platform for so many runners taking to the streets of Dublin to raise funds for their chosen charity, headlined this year by Colin Farrell, who has already raised over €600,000 for his chosen charity <a href=\"http://debra.ie/\" target=\"_blank\">Debra.ie</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SSC5HNNXQBEPTADCDISJ6T6LGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939270},"content":"On any big marathon day there is a lot going on but the one thing that always stands out is the competition leading the way when the gun goes off. Dublin has been successful in so many ways continuing to support Irish marathon runners, but there is still so much more room for growth if we are to be competitive internationally.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MPFAVQHCHRHNPPY3S232RO5GEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939271},"content":"There is a chance that Hiko Tonosa will be rise to the occasion and contest for a podium in the men’s race on Sunday, as Scullion did a year ago when finishing third overall, but he needs to line up believing this is absolutely possible.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JLOHO4UU2JAMFIPLP5XFBCJKOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939272},"content":"Tonosa recently ran the half marathon in 62:46 in Larne, a time which, if he has prepared as well for the marathon, should equate to around 2:11:43. Based on 2023 that would put him in the mix to get a podium finish.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K7QGCZJCJNAU5OVR4ZIC7J4WQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729770939273},"content":"This is what the Dublin Marathon needs – more home interest at the front of the field. And that is something that can be achieved. A home victory is worth so much more to the Dublin Marathon than course records. Something to think about for 2025.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}},"name":"Sonia O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Is it really necessary to field a race of unknown athletes in the Dublin Marathon who literally just take the money and run?"},"display_date":"2024-10-24T13:59:08.049Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sonia O’Sullivan: A home victory would be worth so much more to the Dublin Marathon than course records","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"QOPB4PVZ7RG77FNUGRRC6HHFRE","auth":{"1":"174637880840948bff37e4621ededc7d49393522200e69569e4a1bdaa0e7d976"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/QOPB4PVZ7RG77FNUGRRC6HHFRE.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/24/sonia-osullivan-a-home-victory-would-be-worth-so-much-more-to-the-dublin-marathon-than-course-records/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"M6HENRVMX5FRBAHYQQC5G4XRPE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":205,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/112934af-77b7-4105-8586-6b174c309f0f/versions/1729706825/media/97fc36453311be91f5c35ca70750607f_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/23/british-shot-putter-and-worlds-strongest-man-winner-geoff-capes-dies-aged-75/","content_elements":[{"_id":"YDWOH4FUSNH35CX44QDAPVQSBQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128111},"content":"Geoff Capes, who competed for Britain in the shot put at three Olympic Games, won two Commonwealth titles and twice won the World’s Strongest Man competition, has died aged 75.","type":"text"},{"_id":"37ZXDMKTDVAO3KUIH3V2M7XNHE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128112},"content":"A family statement said: “The family of Geoffrey Capes would like to announce his sad passing today, October 23rd. Britain’s finest shot-putter and twice world’s strongest man.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QWIL5KRAF5GKBM5CFN5PIZNHTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128113},"content":"Capes was at the height of his sporting prowess in the 1970s, competing in the Britain team for 11 years, and racking up the largest number of athletics caps in history for his country. He became a household name in Britain after his track and field career was over, starring in the hugely popular Superstars TV programme which attracted 10 million viewers at its height and then winning the famous World’s Strongest Man title in 1983 and 1985.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KLY2LNPJYVFADGIXFHZMQ7XXBE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128114},"content":"Capes was UK shot put champion on three occasions. He claimed gold at the 1984 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, when he recorded a record throw of 20.74 metres. He then defended the title four years later in Edmonton, Canada.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5XRLXASUC5CWDMIFSSIHDZWS4U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128115},"content":"He went on to win gold at the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg and Munich in 1984 and 1986, respectively. He also claimed bronze in the European Championships in 1984 in Rome.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HULUMS4RCVEVZNB2KQAFOS5FY4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128116},"content":"Capes represented Britain at three Olympic Games, he was sixth at Montreal 1976 and then fifth at Moscow 1980. He achieved his personal best throw of 21.68m in 1980, which stood as a British record until 2003.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2OAYLOILDBFWHEU5X2MEXM67AI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128117},"content":"The British Olympic medal-winning athlete Katharine Merry posted on X that she was “so sad to hear the news that Geoff Capes passed away” and paid tribute to “a real household name”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PNEQOMRZXNH5NGIWLGS3NE6A4Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128118},"content":"A statement from British Athletics said: “British Athletics are saddened to hear the news of former British shot putter, Geoff Capes’ passing. Our condolences go out to his family and friends at this time.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VACMXERQC5GIZPM72MENHH2AMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128119},"content":"The strongman was not limited in his pursuits by brawn and muscle as the other world title he held was the unexpected one of breeding budgerigars. He told the Guardian in 2003 of his passion for the birds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A45NKDARHNERBNIZIOUZMJQ2FU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128120},"content":"“It all began in 1969,” he related, “when I was a policeman and went to deliver a warrant for non-payment of a fine. As I knocked on the recipient’s door, I saw lots of cages in the front room, full of birds of an incredible array of colours. I was intrigued.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D6ZDS4UDXZGTNCXK5EOO73WSQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128121},"content":"“I went in and had a cup of tea with the owner, and spent an hour talking to him about his hobby. It was a shame that at the end of it I had to tell him I was arresting him.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WUIW2LDG7NEORKFOG2QTUNZ2EE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729759128122},"content":"“But after I’d taken him down to the station and sorted out bail, he came back with a gift for me – three pairs of budgies. I went and got everything I’d need – a shed, breeding units, an aviary – and I’ve been breeding the birds ever since.” – Guardian","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Tony Paley"}]},"description":{"basic":"Capes starred in the hugely popular Superstars TV programme which attracted 10 million viewers at its height"},"display_date":"2024-10-23T17:55:30.071Z","headlines":{"basic":"British shot putter and World’s Strongest Man winner Geoff Capes dies aged 75 ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"AVLVMQVHEBE3JNLOVLAHZAN2VM","auth":{"1":"f8c73781a69415df83bbad8318afba1aaf3e3199a20035da03ab97ec999f3a04"},"focal_point":{"x":2471,"y":2061},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/AVLVMQVHEBE3JNLOVLAHZAN2VM.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/23/british-shot-putter-and-worlds-strongest-man-winner-geoff-capes-dies-aged-75/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"2XNTHT2OPVHV7OFJLIW24RSDJY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":389,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/ac549750-0348-4f0a-8dd6-7b6948fc7888/versions/1729530369/media/b2f14c07eb66c81e9ecd75de40226414_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/21/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sundays-dublin-marathon/","content_elements":[{"_id":"TZASNQLAXRGMNK2CLFNNTMJ7EA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798758},"content":"The 43rd running of the Irish Life Dublin Marathon is all set for this Sunday, October 27th, and effectively follows the same 26.2-mile route as recent years, only with two pivotal changes: the start line, and the finish line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5XWLHTES7FD4HI7UOSSD3B23KA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798759},"content":"There was some talk after last year’s event that the start and finish might be moved out of the city centre altogether, given the “disproportionate adverse impact” the race has on public transport services, although thankfully sense prevailed and the changes are quite minimal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C7SPYZOU7JBOXA5WA2HS4SUQGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798760},"content":"Like every other year, all marathon journeys are about reaching your destination: the finish! Here’s everything else you need to know:","type":"text"},{"_id":"5IJ76SDKK5DSFPNYUHWA4HICMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798761},"content":"Q. So what are those exact changes to the start and finish compared to last year?","type":"header"},{"_id":"L6KND4U2X5BJBB3WILCZ2S6YZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798762},"content":"The new start line is on Leeson Street Lower, shortly before entering on to St Stephen’s Green, and then 26.2 miles later it will finish on Mount Street Upper, remaining within the Dublin 2 area.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MSGLWSPRVVG2TI5UETZSW5YYQM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798763},"content":"This represents only a minor adjustment to previous years, when the race started on Fitzwilliam Street Upper and finished on Merrion Square North.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VOEPFTUWINAEVNSVCMXNDKWPVU","additional_properties":{"_id":"IQY33O4Y4FD2JKVQPZPHSWMWXE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QVYC34WXKVEZFHIK2T2LMUURYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798764},"content":"Q. What about the actual start times?","type":"header"},{"_id":"TAO3QWKIZJDIJFL5BIBOPDIK24","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798765},"content":"In all, the Dublin Marathon event will have five start times, starting with the wheelchair participants at 8.40am. They will be followed by wave 1 at 8.45am, wave 2 at 9.05am, wave 3 at 9.25am and wave 4 at 9.45am.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3BH7LDG2FBL3G2MZMEDR6GSGU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798766},"content":"The main advice from Dublin Marathon race director Jim Aughney is that because the new start line on Leeson Street is about 3m narrower than last year, runners should give themselves a little more time to get to the start and also ensure they’ve dropped off their baggage at Merrion Square.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QUGWILE4UZFENNCMJ43NSPQQHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798767},"content":"Plan for at least an hour before, allowing time for a very gentle 10-minute jog. The clocks going back on Saturday night also afford an extra hour in bed, remember!","type":"text"},{"_id":"7GEY7P4NONEP3KUG7NXOE6LVAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798768},"content":"Make sure you’re also well familiar with the start area and race-entry routes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"J4OHVIQCCFDF5NHCLS7LFTGLHE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729529759319},"content":"The course remains open for seven hours from when the last person crosses the start line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PSRFCAE65RCRPLU6LGGIQNJQ5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798769},"content":"Q. Any chance of a late entry?","type":"header"},{"_id":"PK7KWBI7WVDDRO2OCUUUPGRNKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798770},"content":"Eh, absolutely no chance. All 22,500 entries are long since sold out, with around 40,000 entry requests in all. There was a longer entry transfer window this year, up to the end of August, which organisers hope will reduce the number of runners unable to make the start line on the day.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SQL35E3IRFAO7F3BYOL3FUY4VQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798771},"content":"Q. What about picking up my race number?","type":"header"},{"_id":"XV6G5Y7I7JBZ3BZIZ2WSERINEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798772},"content":"This can only happen in person at the Dublin Marathon Expo in the Main Hall of the RDS this Friday, October 25th (12pm-7pm) and then Saturday, October 26th (9am-6pm). Remember to bring some ID (Passport, Student Photo, Driving License or Government Issued Photo ID, etc).","type":"text"},{"_id":"LSO235R5UZGQJIFQRIQS57HKVY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798773},"content":"The cut-off time for pack collection is 6pm on Saturday. After all those long, hard miles clocked up by now, there’s no excuse for missing that. Remember at the baggage drop-off, only the clear plastic bags provided at registration are allowed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3O36NRSCZREHZF7GAPZS4XRQO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798774},"content":"Q. So I’ve designated my wave start, but can I swap?","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZJ3SAITHRFESLHBBXMCDOI26WA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798775},"content":"Wave positions are allocated by your own predicted finishing times, and while moving up a wave is not allowed, runners can choose to move down a wave. It doesn’t make any difference in the end anyway, your start time only begins once you cross the starting line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EMFC3MZVUVALPESCV4AE5Q6SMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798776},"content":"Q. Should I consider following one of the designated Dublin Marathon pacers?","type":"header"},{"_id":"3NFKYOCKEZGVTNQJZI32BBMWMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798777},"content":"Dublin provides several different sets of pacers on the day, and if you’re confident and feeling safe in your target finish time, this is definitely a good idea.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M6IGEPA35JDQ3HPRFXKM36APOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798778},"content":"The pacers run at a steady effort throughout, aiming to finish a few seconds under each time band. Pacers are allocated to each wave as follows: Wave 1- 3:00, 3:10, 3:20; Wave 2 – 3:30, 3:40, 3:50; Wave 3 – 4:00, 4:10, 4:20; Wave 4 – 4:30, 4:40, 4:50, 5:00.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TXBNNRW4YJH7PEXS4SRKWFMAFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798779},"content":"There is no requirement to sign up or commit to any pacing group in advance. Simply turn up at your wave start, look for the pacing runners wearing large balloons, and stand in behind the corresponding time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2DFETCWRJNF6DAMJOARQKZDSKQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"SCGSMV3TEBFATNEBK2WC57IBZ4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UWRGMIETNBDTJP77MEQE4A2VHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798780},"content":"Q. Is it better to track my progress in miles or kilometres?","type":"header"},{"_id":"IWM5DZPKZRBHTCJGVMRD6OHBUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798781},"content":"It doesn’t matter what you’re counting – the 138,336ft or 60,000-odd strides for that matter – it doesn’t get any shorter, and there are certainly no shortcuts. However, the Dublin Marathon is only marked at every mile, and every 5km, and also the halfway point.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RI7W3KJOPBGRTEYISHEARUZTLE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798782},"content":"Although the marathon, remember, really only starts at 20 miles!","type":"text"},{"_id":"LQ5NSZ4N7FB2BHKSGXL777S2KU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798783},"content":"Q. Should I consider bringing my own water?","type":"header"},{"_id":"TLZBANCFUVCO3IY3CXCNDIHZCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798784},"content":"This should not be necessary, unless that’s already been a part of your training routine. Like every big city marathon, Dublin has ample refreshment stations – 10 in total. Look at the route map and note in advance where exactly they are.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5WDIH3UUDVFRDBKST4SSFDOY7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798785},"content":"Also note what’s on offer: 250ml bottles of Ishka water are provided, the Lucozade Sport stations serve cups in a variety of flavours, High5 gels are also supplied at two stations on the route. But if you haven’t tried that particular brand before, Sunday is probably not the time to do so.","type":"text"},{"_id":"666XS3SHVJEURIUM5HUVZM5KFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798786},"content":"Q. Where is the best place to watch?","type":"header"},{"_id":"7GHSRDWZAFBL3KKTSRVKQ3DKRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798787},"content":"There are several Irish Life Support Zones along the course, as well at the Irish Life Mile, which is a designated support area for a one-mile stretch down Northumberland Road, approaching the finish.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LD5QMA3ZWNFGXDKCITMD23V6UE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798788},"content":"For friends and family who are unable to attend and show their support on the day, live streaming will be available for the entire duration of the marathon on the Dublin Marathon YouTube channel.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CPA2WR5R3ZA3BELMF4M5NVINNI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798789},"content":"Those living or working near or along the race route can find full details of the road closures on Sunday at <a href=\"http://www.irishlifedublinmarathon.ie/traffic-information/\">www.irishlifedublinmarathon.ie/traffic-information/</a>","type":"text"},{"_id":"LASTUA4U2BHCXNLIG4LZBLZVRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729527798790},"content":"Good luck to all!","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sunday will be the 43rd running of the Dublin Marathon"},"display_date":"2024-10-21T18:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Dublin Marathon 2024: Everything you need to know including start times, route map and new starting line","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"CEKWOLKM4XAAUP6BYUOPNU2RQU","auth":{"1":"246efff125ccedb66911a7c29738d556cd509113d99d48f74028ef63959b31ff"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/CEKWOLKM4XAAUP6BYUOPNU2RQU.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/21/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sundays-dublin-marathon/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"X3ZSRVXENFCFBC4J2EAPHAZACE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":385,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/4f8c6d28-91cc-4762-bf64-7f76111fa169/versions/1729435191/media/1bb419bef3a8323226a9920db05a52af_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/21/after-the-olympics-athletes-face-a-further-tough-challenge-the-comedown/","content_elements":[{"_id":"TBROLE7DPNGOFDHLYWUT7HQTXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999223},"content":"After the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympics</a>, every athlete has a different landing. For years they knew where they were going. And now? Maybe not. They had a vision of how this dream would be fulfilled, or how it would make them feel, or how it would change their lives. And maybe they were wrong about everything.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTUSIAZUONERTIGM2OVYL7LQJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999224},"content":"By now, you have looked away. For two weeks you thought the Olympics was a banquet for national morale, but in sport’s great sushi bar, the carousel keeps turning and there is another plate under your eyes. You’ve forgotten many of their names. For you, it was a giddy, summer fling.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6PD26LJ6EJBR3KYZHECYNQE5WU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999225},"content":"For the athletes, there is no easy break-up. They couldn’t have reached the Olympics without an unconditional investment of their whole selves. As you have heard in a million ads for financial institutions, the value of your investment can go up as well as down. At the Olympics, the most common outcome is failure. It is the only way for glory to exist.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YNXNNQT2TZDIRGRLWHC4OWWAZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999226},"content":"Every Olympian needs an exit strategy. Or access to mediation. They have life choices to make. Can they countenance another four years? Can they sustain it? Justify it? Did the Olympics just spit them out? Between winning and losing lies a spectrum of complex experiences. Each one requires attention.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C5WJMOTN4VHP3JNVEITVWLNCSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999227},"content":"In 2003, shortly after he joined Irish boxing’s high-performance programme, Billy Walsh shared his Olympics experience with a group whose sights were trained on Athens. Walsh had been sorely overlooked for the LA Games in 1984, so he kept going for the next Olympic cycle. In Seoul, though, he lost his first bout, beaten by a Korean who he had knocked out six months earlier.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EWUHJMNACBG7VCOGNG36VCZQ5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999228},"content":"The nuts and bolts of the narrative were that he was cut twice in the fight, but that was why he lost rather than why he didn’t perform. He couldn’t explain it, and for a long time he couldn’t leave it behind.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H7JEOA3EOZBDNOPTAME4YMZ64U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999229},"content":"“I was devastated,” Walsh said, years later. “I let everyone down: my town, my county, my country. It was a nightmare. What did I feel? Anger. Frustration. Probably a lot of feeling sorry for myself as well. Putting all your lifetime’s ambition into this and then you get your shot and you don’t do it. Which was probably one of the reasons why you didn’t do it – because of the pressure you put on yourself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DX2WITW475BS3C4XBXTSFJDRKA","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZSS46RIZDBEZHO2HJGRBJITJHI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"WPMXC4FULFACDNV2OBTMXPIBAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999230},"content":"“Talking to the boxers that day I just broke down with the emotion of it. It was still there with me, it still resided with me. It took me the best part of 17 years to come to terms with it. It’s only when I started the job [in the high-performance unit] and started talking to the boxers about it that I started to get over it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"T4N3C7EJD5G2FLA5JQJOXBM7FQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"TK2GWTQJDVBK5J3DL65FKRBVMI"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"XRYYMKLGPVAFLJBUDPPI6GVZXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999231},"content":"Dr Karen Howells, an academic and sports psychologist, told the New York Times recently that she had “not yet met an Olympian who hasn’t experienced” what is often called the post-Olympic blues. Dr Cody Commander, the Team USA mental health officer for the Tokyo Games, describes it “as a crash of emotions”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7VG37ZBLTZDY5DXJKHO5CXSTHQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999232},"content":"“Elite athletes are used to having each minute planned every day for years,” he said. “When there’s no plan, it’s the feeling of ‘I’m lost’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"KM7DPZC6JREDVJUBBQ7CNGT4I4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999233},"content":"After the Tokyo Games a study of 49 Danish Olympians and Paralympians showed that 27 per cent of them reported “below-average wellbeing or moderate to severe depression”. In what seemed like a counter-intuitive finding, though, 40 per cent of athletes who had achieved their goals still reported “below-average wellbeing” when the Games were over.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EGDXLEGTORHMTCWVS2NJOGIMAI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999234},"content":"Winners are not exempt. The Olympics levies such a tax on the emotions of athletes that winning is not guaranteed to square the books. In an interview with NBC earlier this year Michael Phelps, one of the greatest Olympians of all-time, spoke about his feelings after two astonishing performances at the games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4LXXYSBAKRBVZCIXWN63JCGL5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999235},"content":"In Athens, when he was just 19, he won six gold medals and two bronze; in Beijing he swept the boards with eight gold medals, breaking Mark Spitz’s record of seven from Munich.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EJK36CUBNVA4FMKUBBHJ6GMNKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999236},"content":"“I would say 2004 was my first taste of post-Olympic depression,” said Phelps. “It was basically, you get to the edge of a cliff and, like, ‘Cool. Now what?’ 2008 was my second taste because you were coming off that high of doing something that you set out to do your whole entire life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ITYLSLISVFCVBBPVH5FN3ZPFNE","additional_properties":{"_id":"RV4JYNNO3VHOZCK2PF4NJJQE5A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KBRLXRVEMFEALPMNCO7C7DA6ZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999237},"content":"“I think I saw it as a sign of weakness and if I shared anything about it then it would give my competitors an edge. I’m trying to be better than anybody has ever been. I looked at it as a weakness. I had to learn vulnerability is a good thing and it was scary at first.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ICE6NDEP75G55F55EXLG333MFQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999238},"content":"For the London games the Irish Institute of Sport started putting supports in place, under the leadership of Gary Keegan at the time. For every subsequent Olympics, the processes have been enhanced significantly.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TZECQOSPENFLPITMWSIFNPY55E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999239},"content":"Eoin Rheinisch is head of performance life skills at the Institute now, having competed in canoe slalom at three Olympics. After his first games, in Athens, nothing was in place to break the fall. “I just remember,” he says now, “having a really tough year coming to terms with a bad performance.” He can’t have been alone in those feelings, but there was no place to share them or untangle them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XMA4MI5UNBETVKO7X36KEVDE3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999240},"content":"For <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris</a>, interventions with the athletes started before the games. A “scaffolding”, as Rheinisch describes it, was erected. In parallel with the life skills team is the work of a transition psychologist and others in that space. As soon as the games were over all the athletes had contact from the transition psychologist for an initial debrief.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2L4LHPFOQZDP5I3KY5X3XSDOZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999241},"content":"The next meeting, says Rheinisch, is called “unpacking the bags” – a deep dive into what happened, how they’re feeling, what might happen next and what help is available. Over the last couple of months there has been a series of targeted workshops on all kinds of everything. Early next month there will be a gathering of 40 “athlete-friendly employers”, designed for networking and exploring opportunities. The support is practical and empathetic and comprehensive and vital.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NSCIN5VY5VGR7BKBSRGAHBJYKA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999242},"content":"Not everyone will stay in the bubble. Not everyone has reached a decision yet. Not everyone is coping. The Olympics flashed across our sky, like a comet.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NXKTVFHSVBDG7CPUQSGILROP4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1729421999243},"content":"Then we moved on.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Denis Walsh"}},"name":"Denis Walsh"}]},"description":{"basic":"With life choices to make following the games, every Olympian needs a strategy for moving forward"},"display_date":"2024-10-21T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"After the Olympics, athletes face a further tough challenge: the comedown","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ITV37Y76U5DNFGNWTM5KAUJVLU","auth":{"1":"5ac9631cb67caa4d38e2fb0aa7d840eede3a0d6996e99033ab26db3f910a2de1"},"focal_point":{"x":4676,"y":1912},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ITV37Y76U5DNFGNWTM5KAUJVLU.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/21/after-the-olympics-athletes-face-a-further-tough-challenge-the-comedown/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"ENCFOBDP6RA2JKZJE3ANLNSKJA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":370,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/44aec149-e253-4cfb-b15f-28d96f03991b/versions/1729274382/media/57f38ad1925858a7d4c82fbf7ed353bb_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/10/19/why-has-the-running-world-turned-its-back-on-the-new-womens-marathon-world-record/","content_elements":[{"_id":"CHZNAGAXXNHD5CRQPKNH43JDLM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801815},"content":"There was a curious response last Sunday afternoon as word began to spread of the new women’s marathon world record run by Ruth Chepngetich in Chicago. Gone was some of the mild scepticism and suspicion which has greeted many of the world athletics records in modern times and instead, most people simply weren’t buying it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HBQXUNG7G5DYZAV2DEHIYKZIJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801816},"content":"It wasn’t just that her winning time of 2:09:56 took just under two minutes off the previous mark set this time last year, which was already in previously unfathomable territory; or that Chepngetich won the elite women’s race by almost eight minutes, or well over a mile-and-a-half.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NTLLLJAIMBA6TCVJNERBY5CLYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801817},"content":"At age 30, Chepngetich came to Chicago with some considerable marathon pedigree, a twice-previous winner and 2019 world champion, but she also improved her previous best of 2:14:18 to become the first woman in history to break the 2:10 barrier — 13 months after Tigst Assefa from Ethiopia broke 2:12 for the first time with her 2:11:53 run in Berlin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q4C4L3MD35CH3ESEARUUXZDLEY","additional_properties":{"_id":"PHM32MYCTREIBCCVNI2MWCAL7Q"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"RFTCHSMVT5BWZAJYCTQHJLKXSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729269633319},"content":"Irish marathon aficionados immediately recognised her 2:09:56 as the same time John Treacy ran to win the silver medal in the men’s Olympic marathon in Los Angeles in 1984. That wasn’t hanging around either and would have won Treacy the gold medal in the next <i>five </i>men’s Olympic marathons.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RHK74BSTSJBPJDLEQOIMC7NPS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801819},"content":"For further comparison purposes, her world record is now almost 13½ minutes faster than the Irish women’s marathon record of 2:22:23, set by Catherina McKiernan in Amsterdam in 1998.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QM7ND67ECVATLGQD2OGKE7O5CE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801820},"content":"Much of the response to Chepngetich’s world record did acknowledge the fact she has never failed a doping test, but that certainly doesn’t give her a free pass from any suspicions, especially since Kenyan distance runners have been returning positive doping tests over the last five or six years at a faster rate than any other country in the world.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UXN2GKE23FFI7EU4K2YXEYFCU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801821},"content":"There was some inevitable pointing at her shoes too, Chepngetich wearing the same Nike Alphafly 3 model as spectacularly debuted by Kelvin Kiptum, also from Kenya, when at age 23 he took half a minute off the men’s world record in Chicago last year, winning in 2:00:35. (Tragically, Kiptum was killed in a road accident in Kenya just four months later.)","type":"text"},{"_id":"AF3MN5FHHJCYRNFAMA4E2RZ6UE","additional_properties":{"_id":"VGYCTYVMJNDE3PXO2U7P6YBVTM"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"DG6H2UPYJZC6FN6BW6ALDGFKCI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729269633324},"content":"Impossible as it is to measure, this new era of super-shoes, post-Rio 2016, has undeniably recalibrated men’s and women’s marathon times. At this point, however, their impact should be levelling out, not being accelerated again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3CCFTRGURJFALO43ZVQQ3WP5KE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801823},"content":"There is nothing whatsoever suspicious of Chepngetich’s coach, simply because she doesn’t have one, although her Italian agent Federico Rosa does have a worrying history when it comes to Kenya distance runners (multiple Boston and Chicago champion Rita Jeptoo, and 2016 Olympic champion Jemima Sumgong, among those serving lengthy doping bans).","type":"text"},{"_id":"BH23LR7NDZBYRERUIDGCTM7SEA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729267835756},"content":"Chepngetich was asked straight out about the allegations during her post-race press conference: “Some people may think that the time is too fast and you must be doping. What would you say to them?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MINQHRUS6RDSJEHDSUKKIWGMXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729267835757},"content":"Chepngetich: “You know people must talk but … people must talk so I don’t know.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VA7Q4MWCWBGDBNASQIHWICVDQU","subtype":"twitter","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"KS4WQ6VNBZAX7OYXVQONUWSFBA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801824},"content":"Former Guardian athletics correspondent Duncan Mackay was succinct in his opinion when saying: “I think people have just grown tired at the industrial scale of doping uncovered in Kenyan athletics in recent years which is certainly at least on a par with Russia. This performance from Ruth Chepngetich just seems to have been the straw that has broken the camel’s back and sums up people’s disbelief in Kenyan performances.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QJYGSAC5OFDFRBZV7VUWUFIR3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801825},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"SRRSKE5N5FELJB3IDBTAG7ZU2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801827},"content":"Soon, it felt like almost the entire running world had simply turned its back on Chepngetich’s record. How could it have come to this?","type":"text"},{"_id":"UIBKGTLQ5NHBJGDNVRUAHH5KGY","additional_properties":{"_id":"6JFZUSIDFFD6JGN5POKRNME2FA"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"USL55XRZBBAPROPI4KQIVHUDOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729269633333},"content":"I’ve been fortunate in life to have witnessed dozens of world records, from Michael Johnson and Haile Gebrselassie and Usain Bolt right through to Mondo Duplantis in the pole vault at the Paris Olympics this summer, and even if there was mild scepticism and suspicion about some over the years, they would always excite, maybe even inspire.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XXUKBHDJ3VFFNEXK54NTNZ6PCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801829},"content":"This time it feels utterly different, neatly surmised by US running journalist Amby Burfoot, winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon, who penned his opinion this week under the headline: “Why It’s Hard To Trust Ruth Chepngetich’s Marathon World Record.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"F4QEI2S3JBE27MFMVNAIXF7D5U","additional_properties":{"_id":"SHUHHPGCPNEE5J7AXBBFUD2HOY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZXOFUU5FJRF3ZJMLCXQD6DBDXI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801830},"content":"Burfoot writes: “Ruth Chepngetich’s epic 2:09:56 world record in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday was unequivocally the greatest marathon performance of all time”, before adding: “And that makes me queasy. In fact, I’m outraged.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XHIURMA3VZCW7HGXEEV7DXCEBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729269633337},"content":"“I’m going to try to explain as briefly as possible why I am so troubled by this performance. And I admit that I could be wrong. After all, I have no evidence that Chepngetich cheated, as she has never failed a doping test. But I don’t think I’m wrong. And I don’t think this is a time to be quiet.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LA664P22QVFX5KAY3PSMH6P7AA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801832},"content":"Burfoot then adds: “Maybe we can’t rewrite the record books, but we can still stand up and speak our truth. Because women runners deserve better. Because all runners deserve better. It’s our sport and our stories. Let’s tell them loud and clear, and clean.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"3FRZM6QK6JGI7LTATY4BUEUG24","additional_properties":{"_id":"5YIFN2YBNBEGDLJPO5DGAEW6T4"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"ZJV52F2EWNCJ5NG4FYGZJSKMHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729269633340},"content":"Fellow US running journalist Toni Reavis was equally strident when he wrote: “Some refuse to even consider the possibility of these record times. Others say ‘wait and see if any positive testing follows down the line’, as we have seen many times before. And very few say, ‘everything’s on the up and up. There’s nothing here to see other than a great performance’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DD562M3PFZBGFE7TD5LUQO6I24","additional_properties":{"_id":1729260801835},"content":"Christopher Kelsall of Canadian-based Athletics Illustrated also wrote this week that “Chepngetich’s Sunday performance at the Chicago Marathon was paradigm-shifting. For anyone who knows anything about marathon running, it took a second upon first seeing the time to absorb the gravity of it ... When will Wada, and World Athletics put their hands up and consider Kenya a country complicit and needing to be suspended so that they may clean house? 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