Irish Olympic hammer hopeful, Eileen O'Keefe yesterday returned to her roots as she launched the 2008 KitKat Irish Schools Athletics programme at Belfield. By Frank Greally O'Keefe, who started her athletics career in schools athletics,in her native Kilkenny, said that this had paid a significant part in her overall development as an athlete. "Kitkat Irish Schools'Athletics has played a major role in developing and shaping my career," O'Keefe said. The programme provided me with a solid foundation for competing on the world stage and with the discipline necessary to achieve success." The Kilkenny athlete-tipped as Ireland's best prospect for an athletics medal in the Beijing Olympics, is delighted with the way her current training preparations are progressing. "Last year was a a dream year for me and it surpassed all my expectations," she said. "I will be very happy if I perform as well this year. Olympic medals are not easily won and all I can do is give it my best shot and take it as it comes." O'Keefe is happy with her Winter training so far- especially with the strength training she has completed under the guidance of Dave Fagan from Leinster Rugby. "Dave helps me with my strength and conditioning work and at the technical end I plan on basically using the same style that brought me success last year." I did visit hammer legend Yuri Sedik for some advice, but the technical points that he brought up do not seem to suit my style. I have therefore decided not to waste valuable time and stick whith what I know best and what has worked for me." Now a full time athlete, O'Keefe has taken time out from her job as a Theatre Nurse to train for Beijing. She will be hopeful of receiving a significant increase in her 12,000 euro Irish Sports Council funding when the grants for 2008 are announced today. She is also hopeful of getting additional support from a couple of corporate sponsors to help her on the road to Beijing. "It will be a big year for a number of Irish athletes and I want to spare nothing in my preparation for the Olympics," she said. Over 26,000 students from 850 secondary schools nationwide will take part in this year's KitKat athletics programme in both cross country and track & field. "Nestle remains committed to supporting young talent throughout the country and we are delighted to renew our sponsorship with the Irish Schools Athletic Association for the 46th straight year, "Louise Shorthall, Marketing Manager, Nestle Ireland said. "Over the past 46 years, we have seen some of Ireland's top sporting stars come up through the ranks of the Irish Schools Athletics Association programme and we look forward to encouraging the development of all budding young athletes in Irish schools during 2008."