Cragg aims to impress in Arkansas

ATHLETICS:Now that David Gillick has announced his intention to defend his European Indoor 400 metres title with the fastest time in the world this year, it's over to Alistair Cragg to do something similar in the 3,000 metres at tonight's US indoor invitational meeting at his home track at Arkansas. If like Gillick he wants to serve notice to the opposition then a victory will be the least of his ambitions.

Cragg has already raced once over the distance this season, in Boston last month, but his fourth place in 7:52.68 was well short of the sort of form he'll want to bring to Birmingham for the European Indoors, just three weeks away. Two years ago he won this same meeting in Arkansas in 7:40.53, and went on to win the European Indoor title in Madrid in convincing fashion.

Gillick's 45.91 clocking in Germany on Tuesday night remains the fastest in the world this year, and as he won't run over the distance again until Birmingham, his confidence is where it needs to be. Cragg, in contrast, is lacking in confidence, describing his last race as "disgusting", and therefore looking for something a lot more productive here.

The last time Ireland went to a major championship with two defending title-holders was 18 years ago. Marcus O'Sullivan and Frank O'Mara had won the 1,500 and 3,000 metres respectively at the World Indoors in 1987, and two years later in Budapest, O'Sullivan defended his title, while O'Mara finished fifth.

If Cragg can get into the same mental shape as Gillick then a double title defence is on the cards in three weeks' time.

Tonight's race includes several athletes capable of testing Cragg, including the American Alan Webb, and also features former European Indoor champion Mark Carroll, who is trying to regain his old form.

Carroll has been training in Florida with Gareth Turnbull, who runs in the mile tonight, and after his 3:58.88 time in New York last weekend the Belfast athlete is also coming into good shape. He too is targeting the 3,000 metres in Birmingham, which could yet present a selection dilemma for Athletics Ireland as only two athletes are allowed per event - while Cragg, Carroll and Turnbull are eyeing the same event.

There is one other Irish athlete in action tonight with Martin Fagan going in the college 5,000 metres. Athletics Ireland will wait until February 26th - five days before the championships begin - before confirming the team for Birmingham, although next weekend's National Championships in Belfast acts as the final official trial.

So far the other Irish athletes in line for selection with qualifying times are Anna Boyle and Paul Hession (both 60 metres), Mary Cullen (3,000 metres), James Nolan (1,500 metres) and Thomas Chamney (800 metres). It's expected the final team will number close to a dozen.

Several others still chasing qualification will feature in this weekend's British AAA championships in Sheffield, including Liam Reale (1,500 metres), David McCarthy (800 metres), Ailis McSweeney (60 metres) and Ciara Sheehy (200 metres).