Faces for 1998

Eddie Ahern (Flat racing)The meteoric rise of champion apprentice Eddie Ahern looks set to accelerate even more quickly next season when he will ride as first jockey to Curragh trainer Michael Grassick, with the added benefit, thanks to a rule change, of regaining his right to claim.The 36 winners that Ahern, 20, rode last season brought his career total to 73, and he will be allowed 90 winners before losing his right to claim weight off his horses. This can usually prove a difficult time, but Grassick does not see problems occurring."All he has to do is look after himself, and I think he will become a champion. I can't rate him highly enough," argues the trainer, who will have a stable of 60 for Ahern to ride.Kevin Broderick (Hurling)It's 10 year itch time in Galway. Not since 1988 has the Liam McCarthy Cup found a home in the county, a somewhat baffling statistic, especially in view of the fine under-age talent produced in the past decade.Kevin Broderick is possibly the hottest of the lot. He's proof that good goods come in small parcels - quick and sharp, intelligent, deceptively strong and quite lethal in front of goal. If Galway are to end their drought, Broderick's skill will be a vital ingredient.The past year proved frustrating for him, capped by an injury which curtailed his involvement in the All-Ireland under 21 final. Worse still, Cork beat them in that match. Two weeks later he wasn't able to play any part in the National League final, where Galway lost to Limerick.Broderick was perhaps Galway's best player in the All Ireland quarter final defeat by Kilkenny. He has the big match temperament and the skills to match.Robbie Keane (Soccer)Is this teenager the answer to Irish prayers? The exploits of Brian Kerr's babes in the Youths' World Cup finals in Malaysia confirmed a conveyor belt of talnet; but it's a touch ironic that Robbie Keane, who wasn't part of that odyssey; is considered the young gun most likely to blast his way into the Republic's senior side for the European Championship 2000 qualifying campaign.Keane - no relation of namesake Roy - has been a revelation with Wolves in Division One of the English League. At a time when manager Mark McGhee was reluctant to throw in too many youngsters, he nevertheless placed his faith in the Dubliner. The result has been a string of goals and Keane's elevation to cult status at Molineaux."A terrific prospect . . . with a good football brain and very clam when he's in a goalscoring position," McGhee says.Catherina McKiernan (Athletics)Catherina McKiernan has finally stepped out of the shadows to take her place in the sun. A four time world cross country championship runner up who never really transferred that form to the track (admittedly a foot injury at the World Championships in Gothenburg and an infection at the Olympics in Atlanta didn't help her cause), she has taken to road racing like a duck to water. Six races, six wins - including a stunning marathon debut success in Berlin.The coming year promises to even more riches. The date April 26th - when the London Marathon takes place - is pencilled into her diary and should confirm her growing reputation as possibly the finest road runner in the world. McKiernan is ideally suited to marathon running. "I like the road, you get a good bounce," she remarks. She also has the mental toughness for it.Richie Coughlan (Golf)A few years ago, when the Murphys Irish Open was held at Mount Juliet, a young amateur called Richie Coughlan - who hadn't managed to get one of the GUI invites to compete with the superstars - spent his time on the spectators' side of the ropes watching Greg Norman in action.In 1998, Coughlan will be playing alongside the Great White Shark on the toughest golf tour in the world.Coughlan, from Birr, with a degree from Clemson College, had the unique distinction of safely negotiating both the US and European tour schools to secure his playing privileges for the coming season. But most of his time will be spent in the US where he expects to play in 27 tournaments. He is arriving on the professional scene at a time when Irish golf has never had it so good - and Coughlan's confident demeanour suggests he won't be intimidated by playing at the highest level.Malcolm O'Kelly (Rugby)Although he graduated to the Ireland team this season, winning his first cap against New Zealand at Lansdowne Road, the considerable talent of 23 year old Malcolm O'Kelly could explode on the international stage this season.The London Irish lock boasts outstanding potential, a consummate athlete whose impact on a match far exceeds the anticipated contributions from second rows. O'Kelly tread the familiar path from Irish schools to under 21s to A level, but quicker than most.His ability is widely recognised from club to province to country. Blessed with great hands, he has a voracious appetite for tackling and supporting the ball carrier. This year should see him impose his talent on the international stage, extending from the Five Nations Championship to Ireland's tour of South Africa next summer. Should form a long term partnership with Jeremy Davidson, when the latter returns from injury, in an Irish second row which may be in place for years to come.