GENERATION GAME Gavin Cummiskeytalks to former World 5,000 metre Champion Eamonn Coghlan and his son, John, who is forging his own sporting reputation
WHEN IT comes to following in the footsteps of an Irish middle distance runner, John Coghlan faces a tall order. But the 19-year-old's refreshing attitude means he can ignore any external expectations that come with being "Eamonn's son".
Despite his youth, Coghlan has already developed a distinguished reputation by sweeping the boards at junior level, winning the club, inter-county and All-Ireland colleges cross-country titles. Not that anyone dared christen him "The Chairman". Now a freshman at DCU (studying engineering), he placed second in last weekend's national varsity meet for 1,500 metres.
"Yeah, I did alright. The first two laps were ridiculously slow so it became a 600 metre race in the end. One of my spikes was ripped when I was kicked, unintentionally as we were all so grouped together. Improving my times is a focus now because it had never been before. I have always just run to win."
The only time a sternness is traceable in his voice comes when the comparisons to his father are inevitably raised. Does it bring added pressure? "Never. Eamonn Coghlan the runner means nothing to me. He is my Dad.
"I've never seen his races. I wasn't around when it all happened. Sure, I've seen them since but it doesn't concern me. You see, I run for myself, not anyone else."
While oldest brother Eamonn Coghlan jnr also pursued a sporting life as a US-based golf professional, middle brother Michael is an aspiring actor while sister Suzanne works in banking.
"I started coaching John as a 10-year-old," explains Dad. "My eldest son got into it when he was young but was never a runner. He is a golfer. Michael ran in school for fitness. John joined up all on his own. He used to do a Christmas run with a friend but he was a bashful, stand-offish kid by nature. After watching him for a while and seeing the obvious potential, I suggested he get up with the lads at the front and leave his friend behind.
"After that I just let him run, gradually bringing him along, without any pressure. I'm not trying to relive my life or career.
"What I did begin to do in September each year during his teens, particularly around age 15, 16, was point out the training would become harder. Eventually he told me not to say that anymore. That he wanted to be a runner and was fully aware what was required to be successful."
Such a softly, softly approach, particularly from a father, is a rarity but Coghlan identified it as the best way to add "layer upon layer" to a talented athlete.
"John has never been obsessed with track and field. The coaching became based around learning to win races rather than posting times. The plan was to provide him with the tools so that he can really begin to excel around the 19, 20 period.
"Guys who post the really big times coming out of school are usually the ones who fade off in the ensuing years. He was brought along on low mileage; I didn't want to burn him out so he was purposely undertrained.
"Now he wants to make it to the next level, the next two years are a sort of transition from junior to under-23 and eventually senior. Two years of getting times down."
Times become increasingly important if he is to compete with the stronger, more experienced senior runner. "Both physically and mentally he is ready for what comes. He just has to keep running faster than the previous year. He has run 3.55 for 1,500 but I'd expect him to knock seven, eight seconds off that this year."
What are the teenager's own expectations? "I don't look too far ahead to be honest. There is the All-Ireland seniors in June or July. The Irish mile at the All-Ireland schools and Enda (Fitzpatrick, his DCU coach) is taking us to some countries in Europe to race and gain experience in the summer.
"I don't even think about the next day to be honest but, yeah, it would be great to run in London in 2012.
"I'm not a fanatic like some other runners. I follow it occasionally. I did meet Bernard Lagat when I ran in Madison Square Garden two years ago. He was talking to me about an hour before the race and just told me to go out and win it. He was a very laid-back guy, like me I guess. I would like to race against him some day.
"When I ran there I was only in transition year (the Millrose Games in 2006 by invitation) in Castleknock and running against Americans in front of 14,000 people. I never really get nervous but the only time was that race. It was a huge lesson."
Considering he is a US citizen, many outsiders expected the natural transition from Castleknock College would be the US on an athletics scholarship. He opted for the less conventional route and it's served him well thus far. "The DCU decision was down to John wanting to remain in his comfort zone," says Eamonn. "Twenty minutes from friends and family," adds John. "And that's fine. He has lived in America. He knows America. For some it is the be all and end all. He can maintain the same training regime by staying at home. He knows he won't be pushed over the top. He trusts his current coach 100 per cent."
