More at stake than national 1,500m title

Just when it seemed Athletics Ireland had it nice and straightforward ahead of next month's European Championships in Zurich, things suddenly turned awkwardly nice. Because such is the strength and depth of Irish 1,500-metre runners right now they'll have to turn at least one of them away.

Paul Robinson, David McCarthy, John Travers, and Ciarán Ó Lionáird have now all run inside the qualifying time of 3:39.30 for Zurich – where the championships take place from August 12-17th – although only three runners can compete in Zurich.

Deadline for qualifying

Which means it all comes down to this weekend’s

national championships

in Santry, the deadline for qualifying, after which Athletics Ireland will announce the entire team for Zurich. What is certain is that whoever wins Sunday’s 1,500m final (set for 4.45pm) will be automatically selected, with Athletics Ireland then having “sole discretion” to decide which of the other qualified athletes are selected.

The first three finishers might have simplified that selection, but there is always the risk that one or more of them might fail to finish and could complicate things further. Either way it makes for a fascinating showdow.

The overall number of Irish qualifiers for Zurich currently stands at 29, although there is the possibility of a relay squad.

Several Irish women are chasing the 800m standard of 2:01.30, although Laura Crowe will not be defending her title due to injury, and it remains to be seen whether Ciara Mageean will compete.

Already certain of selection are Thomas Barr (400m hurdles), Mark English (800m), Brian Gregan (400m) and Fionnuala Britton (5,000m), who are all looking to win national titles to go with it.

Fascinating head-to-head

However, with a record number of more than 500 athletes set to compete, it’s not all about selection for Zurich: there will also be a fascinating head-to-head in the women’s pole vault between

Zoe Brown

and

Tori Pena

, who now share the Irish record of 4.45m, and both are already qualified for Zurich too.

Rather than go out live on RTÉ – and go up against Dublin-Meath at Croke Park and Donegal-Monaghan at Clones – there is deferred TV coverage tomorrow from 6-7.30. The action starts at 2pm today, and at noon tomorrow.