Ger Doyle has no difficulty recalling one of the few comforting moments he savoured as coach to Ireland's team in the recent World championships in Perth. It concerns the reaction of Hugh O'Connor after his programme had ended in relative disappointment: "What I know now is, Ger, I am capable of making a `B' final at this level," said O'Connor, nicknamed the "babe" of the side.

It is expressions of conviction of this kind which make it that bit easier for Doyle to persist in what amounts to a thankless job. Doyle would never doubt the youngster for he believes that all four competitors under his charge in Perth are capable of better things. "We were very pleased and indeed hopeful based on the performances and the splits the guys were giving before they swam. The difficulty, as I see it, is that they are putting too much pressure on themselves."

Doyle thought it sad that he had to "shelter" Adrian O'Connor from some of the published criticisms of his performances. "This sort of criticism is no help," says Doyle. "These guys are doing their best and taking time off college to train like professionals. They need to be encouraged and maybe this would help them translate what is happening in the preparation swims into the race itself."

The Irish Amateur Swimming Association (IASA) will learn from Doyle's Perth report that our swimmers need to feel more confident. They need to be "certain that what they are doing is right. They should get a programme and stick to it and not listen to too many cooks," he says.

Doyle's message to swimmers and officials is similar: "Work towards ensuring that we improve on what we are doing".

Doyle will also report that the Ireland swimmers, in common with those from all European nations, were disadvantaged by the timing of the championships, coming as they did in the wake of the European championships. "The low medal count by Europeans was significant in this regard," he says. The National Coaching and Training Centre (NCTC) in Limerick was the venue for a regrouping of members of Ireland's Team 2000 last weekend. The IASA selectors will review the squad after the Leisureland international meet in Salthill in March.