Irish teams face stiff tasks

ATHLETICS:David Gillick and Derval O'Rourke are both included in the Irish teams announced yesterday for the European Cup in Vaasa, Finland, which takes place the weekend after next, June 23rd and 24th. Gillick, the two-time European Indoor champion, will be expected to take full points in the 400 metres, as will O'Rourke in the 100 metres hurdles.

The Irish won't have it easy, however, as they go up against some of the best athletic nations in Europe in their League One division - the second tier outside the Superleague. The men's team will be up against Holland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Spain, Finland, Slovakia and Switzerland, while the women's team will face Slovakia, Finland, Britain, Norway, Holland, Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Team manager Patsy McGonagle believes it will be a good test for the athletes. "The European Cup is always a special occasion in particular for those who step up to this level of competition for the first time," he said. "Our main objective is to retain our League One status and remain in the top group of European athletics."

Paul Hession, the new Irish record holder in the 100 metres, will attempt a sprint double, while the most notable absentee is new 10,000 metre record holder Alistair Cragg.

Both O'Rourke and Hession, meanwhile, are in action this evening at the first IAAF Golden League meeting of the year, the Bislett Games in Oslo. James Nolan also goes in the 1,500 metres as well as Anna Boyle in the 100 metres B-race.

IRISH TEAM (for European Cup, at Vaasa, Finland, June 23rd/24th): Men:Paul Hession 100/200m; David Gillick 400m; David McCarthy 800m; Dave Campbell 1,500m; Mark Kirwan 3,000m steeplechase; James Nolan 3,000m; Martin Fagan 5,000m; Ian McDonald 110m hurdles; Jonathon Miller 400m hurdles; Steve Fleming long jump; Jonathon Ritchie triple jump; Christopher Crowley high jump; Sean Breathnach shot putt; Eoin Leen discus; Padraig White hammer; Aaron Crawford javelin; Anthony McCreery pole vault; 4x100m relay: from Jason Smyth, Jer O'Donoghue, Gordon Kennedy, Darragh Graham, Paul Hession; 4x400m relay: from Paul McKee, Gordon Kennedy, David McCarthy, Brian Murphy, David Gillick.

Women:Anna Boyle 100m; Ciara Sheehy 200m; Joanne Cuddihy 400m; Rose-Anne Galligan 800m; Kelly Reid 1,500m; Linda Byrne 3,000m steeplechase; Orla Drumm 3,000m; Fionnuala Britton 5,000m; Derval O'Rourke 100m hurdles; Michelle Carey 400m hurdles; Kelly Proper long jump; Sara Barry triple jump; Deirdre Ryan high jump; Laura Cogan shot putt; Eileen O'Keeffe discus/hammer; Laura Kerr javelin; Claire Wilkinson pole vault; 4x100m relay: from Ailis McSweeney, Emily Maher, Anna Boyle, Ciara Sheehy, Joanne Cuddihy, Derval O'Rourke; 4x400m relay: from Joanne Cuddihy, Ciara Sheehy, Michelle Carey, Emily Maher, Elaine McCaffrey.