Elite Irish squad on medal trail

PARALYMPICS: For the first time the European championships encompass the events from all three governing bodies for athletes with physical disabilities. The three Irish national governing bodies are Cerebral Palsy Ireland, Irish Blindsport and the Irish Wheelchair Sport Association.

Paralympic championships differ greatly from the Special Olympics, and feature only athletes with physical disabilities. The term "paralympic", in fact, reflects how the competition corresponds exactly with the events of the Summer Olympics. The European Championships are also seen as one of the major qualification opportunities for next year's 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, which immediately follow the 2004 Summer Games at the same Olympic venues.

In addition, a junior team of five athletes will represent Ireland in the European events next Sunday, June 15th.

A further 16 coaches and officials will accompany the team, including team manager Liam Moggan, who will also act as athletics manager for the Paralympics in Athens.

With strict qualifying times for the Athens Games, as well as a small team allocation, preparations for these championships have been intensive for the past several months.

"Most of these athletes have already benefited from two training camps this year," said Moggan. "The preparations have been excellent and the commitment couldn't have been any better. But the important thing is that athletes are going there thinking about performing at their best, and not necessarily about medals."

IRISH PARALYMPIC TEAM (European Championships, June 16-21st): Men: Derek Malone, Clare (400m/800m); Garrett Culliton, Laois (Shot Put/Discus/Javelin); John Fulham, Limerick (100m/200m/400m/1,500m); Roy Guerin, Kerry (100m/200m); Trevor Dunne, Dublin (Discus/Shot Put); Brian Campbell, Dublin (100m/200m); Michael Delaney, Dublin (Long Jump, High Jump, Triple Jump); Conal McNamara, Mayo (200m/400m); John McCarthy, Cork (Discus); Garrett Jameson, Wicklow (Club/Discus), Tom Leahy, Cork (Club/Discus), Gabriel Shelly, Carlow (Club); Tony Ward (800m/1,500m); James McCarthy, Limerick, (Shot Put); Eoin Cleare, Offaly (Shot Put/Discus); Martin McDonagh, Dublin (100m); Andrew Clint, Belfast (100m); John Glynn, Dublin (100m). Women: Lisa Callaghan, Meath (Javelin/Discus); Colette O'Reilly, Longford (100m/200m/400m/800m); Patrice Dockery, Dublin (100m/200m/400m/1,500m); Catherine O'Neill, Wexford (Discus); Rosemary Tallon, Louth (Discus). Junior: Orla Barry, Cork (Shot Put); John Glynn, Dublin (100m/400m/800m); Jamie Boyle, Offaly (Shot Put/Discus); Keith Armstrong, Wicklow (Shot Put); David Griffith (100m/400m/800m/Shot Put/Discus).