Judgment time for AAI big five

ATHLETICS: The old era of Irish athletics is formally left behind this weekend with the staging of the AAI annual congress. With the blueprint for the future already approved at a special congress in December, it's judgment time for the five key chairpersons, who have been operating on an interim basis.

Three of them will remain in position unopposed - Liam Hennessy (high performance), Breda Synnott (juvenile), and competitions (Paddy Marley). The coaching committee chairperson will be contested between Patsy McGonagle and former president Nick Davis, but the finance officer looks like the only tight contest, between Michael Quinlan, who holds the position, and Mary Coghlan.

Michael Heery also looks set to remain as AAI president, although former secretary Georgina Drumm is running against him.

AAI chief executive Brendan Hackett will also outline the work done during his first four months in office, which includes the appointment of the new national coach (Stephen Maguire) and development officer (Gary Ryan). Hackett's next task will be to oversee the appointment of the five event managers.

"We have 25 applicants in for the five positions," explained Hackett, "and I'd be very happy with the number and their quality, and also the openness of the process.

"Interviews will take place in the coming weeks and we hope to have the positions filled by the end of May."

Hackett will address the congress, which takes place at Limerick junction, on Sunday. Each of the elected chairpersons will hold their positions for two years.

Maguire, meanwhile, hasn't been wasting time as in his new role and invited top Hungarian hammer coach Zsolt Nemeth to attend this weekend's squad training session in Tullamore.

The intention is he will work closely with Irish record holder Eileen O'Keeffe, who last summer improved the Irish record to 69.50 metres and thus knocked on the door of a world-class breakthrough.

Finally, the AAI announced their team for the World Race Walking Cup in La Coruna, Spain on May 12th/13th.

The team includes Colin Griffin, fresh from his world championship qualification in the Czech Republic a few weeks ago, and also Jamie Costin, who continues his remarkable return to form after sustaining serious injuries in a car accident just prior to the Athens Olympics.

There is still no sign, however, of 2003 World championship silver medallist Gillian O'Sullivan, who has been struggling with a virus for over a year now.

World Race Walking Cup 2006: Junior Men 10K: Michael Doyle (Cushinstown AC); Junior Women 10K: Laura Reynolds (Mohill AC); Senior Men 20K: Jamie Costin (West Waterford AC), Colin Griffin (Ballinamore AC); Senior Women 20K: Ann Loughnane (Craughwell AC).