Costello and Yeates take US scholarship trail

ATHLETICS: For all the talk of change in Irish athletics some things stay the same. This week two of Ireland's finest distance-running talents are starting out on the American scholarship route, Colin Costello enrolling at Arkansas University and Richard Yeates at Providence College.

In a sense they are simply carrying on a tradition that stretches back over 50 years, but they also highlight the enduring problems of trying to develop as a world-class athlete from a home base.

Costello departs as European junior champion over 1,500 metres yet feels there is no way he'll progress the way he needs to without going to the US.

Yeates, the national junior 5,000-metre champion, was actually persuaded to leave by Dick Hooper, his coach at the Raheny club in Dublin.

"I'm not saying athletes have to go to America when they get to this stage of their career," said Hooper, the three-time winner of the Dublin marathon. "But in the case of Richard he would certainly be an athlete I would encourage to go. For a start I think he is the business.

"I still don't think they're going to get the right level of competition here. And it's not just about lack of money or funding. For four years (in the US) they can enjoy an uncomplicated life and be selfish about their running, which is what you need to be. We still can't offer that here."

Like Yeates, Costello is severing links with his coach, Robert Denmead, and will work at Arkansas with John McDonnell - who has a proven record with a string of Irish runners from Frank O'Mara to Alistair Cragg.

Costello in fact spent his first year out of school at Dublin City University (DCU), but felt he needed to move on.

"I am going to have runners better than me to train with," said the Meathman. "And there's always going to be someone to aim at. If I had the proper funding I would have stayed at home, but maybe I need more of a routine than other people."

In this context, the Irish Sports Council haven't escaped criticism, and while they are clearly increasing funding for young and aspiring athletes they have been slower to tackle the wider issues - particularly coaching support.

Yet Hooper believes the American option is not just an answer to lack of funding at home: "I don't think it comes down to money, because that can only take you so far. And what's happening in Dublin City University is definitely a good thing.

"It's not just about coaching either. I'd see my coaching role as no different from teaching in that you take them to a certain level, and then another opportunity comes along to take them to the next level. Of course it's sad in a way to see athletes like Richard go. He'll be a loss to the club . . . but hopefully he'll return a much better athlete.

"But I remember I was faced with the same situation back in the 1970s, and I didn't go. And I do wonder about that now and again.

"My main concern when I left school was that I didn't want to see another book. But when I finally got to visit Villanova last year it really struck me. This was like Anfield, and I had stayed at home to play in Tolka Park."