Irish athletes set off for World Junior Championships Many of Ireland’s most promising athletes will be in action this week as the World Junior Championships get under way in Bydgoszcz, Poland tomorrow. Athletics Ireland have announced their largest ever squad for the Championships with a 22 strong team competing over the six days of the event. 400m Junior record holder, Brain Gregan, will be hoping to continue his good form in the 4X400m relay and the 400m. Gregan dropped down to 200m at the recent National Junior and U23 Championships to take gold. Curtis Woods, Billy Ryan and Jason Harvey join Gregan on the relay team after strong performances in the 400m at the Juniors. Ferrybank’s Niamh Whelan will have a busy few days in Poland; she is set to compete in the 100m, 200m and 4X100m Relay. Ferrybank will be well represented in Poland, aside from Whelan, 400m Relay runner, Billy Ryan and hurdlers Mairead Murphy and Jessica Barr are all representing the Waterford club. Ireland’s strong tradition in race walking continues with Shercock AC’s Paul Fitzpatrick and Laura Reynolds from Mohill AC both competing. There is also a good spread of athletes in the women’s distance running with Ciara Everard competing in the 800m, Sara Treacy and Ciara Mageean in the 1500m and Tara Jameson in the 3000m Steeplechase. Athletics Ireland Director of Coaching Gary Ryan said, “This is fantastic to have so many junior athletes involved at such a high level. We are looking to these athletes establishing good performances on a world stage. We have sent such a large team due to the fact that we can now boast a very strong junior set-up in the country.” Athletics Ireland wants to congratulate and wish the best of luck to all of the 21 athletes competing in the forthcoming World Junior Championships, 21 athletes from, 17 different clubs, each province and all of the event groups are represented, so this team is a true representation of the strength of the sport across the country at the moment at Junior level. This is Ireland’s largest ever team to go to a world championship and the athletes will be chasing their own lifetime best performances in Bydgoszcz Poland next week. Should you wish to send your best wishes to an athlete or the team you can e-mail irelandwjc2008@yahoo.co.uk We especially want to thank the athlete’s coaches, past and present who have helped them to attain the high standard required for these championships. Amongst those we would especially like to thank and congratulate; Jo Jennings, Lucy Moore, Dermot Nagle, Drew and Hayley Harrison, Paddy Fay, Brian Corcoran, Des Doyle, Noreen O’ Reilly, Noel Conway, Eamonn Christie, Bud Baldaro, Liz Coombes, Liam O Reilly, John McGeever, Michael Lane, Ned and Geraldine Nolan, John Sheehan, Karen Mills, John Shields Brid and Alan Golden, Claire Scarth, and all of the rest of all of the athletes support teams, the club coaches, regional and national squad and training camp coaches and support teams that have contributed to this team Irish Team – World Junior Championships - Bydgoszcz, Poland 8th – 13th July 2008. Men: Brian Gregan – Tallaght AC – 400m & 4X400m Relay Jason Harvey – Lagan Valley AC –4X400m Relay Curtis Woods –Lagan Valley AC – 4X400m Relay Billy Ryan – Ferrybank AC –4X400m Relay Cathal Owens – Leevale AC – 4X400m Relay Paul Fitzpatrick – Shercock AC –10K Walk Colin Quirke – Crusaders AC – Shot Putt Barry Pender – St. Abban’s AC – High Jump Women: Niamh Whelan – Ferrybank AC – 100m, 200m & 4X100m Relay Joan Healy – Bandon AC – 100m & 4X100m Relay Mairead Murphy – Ferrybank AC – 100m Hurdles & 4X100m Relay Sandra Lawlor – Cellbridge – 100m Hurdles & 4X100m Relay Stephanie Creaner – Celtic DCH AC – 4X100m Relay Hannah Lewis –North Down AC – 4X100m Relay Ciara Everard – Kilkenny City Harriers –800m Tara Jameson –Inbhear Dee AC –3000m SC Sara Treacy – Moynalvey / Kilcloon AC –1,500m Ciara Mageean –City of Lisburn AC –1,500m Kayln Sheehan – Ferrybank AC –400m Hurdles Jessica Barr – Ferrybank AC – 400m Hurdles Laura Reynolds – Mohill AC – 10K Walk Pamela Hughes – Westport AC –High Jump