from the AAI There is plenty of action this coming weekend for Irish athletes. Silver World Medalist, Olive Loughnane will compete on Saturday in the IAAF Walking Grand Prix in Rio Maior, Portugal. Loughnane has her sights firmly set on the European and Field Championships in Barcelona. The Woodie’s DIY Road Relay Championships of Ireland will take place in Raheny on Sunday. The host club Raheny will be looking to retain their senior men’s title. They will face opposition from a number of quarters. After his promising performance at the World Cross Country Championships a few weeks ago, John Travers will lead the Donore Team. Crusaders will no doubt be a threat with both Thomas Chamney and Alan O’Brien as part of the squad. Clonliffe Harriers has shown their depth by fielding four teams in the championships. Other teams include Lucan Harriers, Ennis Track, Liffey Valley, North Down, Sportsworld and Finn Valley AC.
The women’s senior race is wide open with the reigning champions Dundrum South Dublin not fielding a team. Annette Kealy will lead the Raheny A Team, they also have two other teams entered Both Finn Valley and Clonliffe Harriers are fielding two teams. Dunore Harriers, Sportsworld, Inisowen, Crusaders, North Down and Eagle AC will also field teams.
The cream of Irish juvenile athletes will compete at the second weekend of the Woodie’s DIY Juvenile Championships of Ireland in Nenagh arena.
Athletics Ireland has also announced that there will be a Senior High Performance squad travelling to Monte Gordo, Portugal on 25th April for two weeks of warm weather training. The squad will include walkers, Jamie Costin, Robert Heffernan and Laura Reynolds. Thomas Chamney, David Campbell and David McCarthy will provide excellent training partners for each other. Long distance expert Martin Fagan and sprinting ace Paul Hession will also be present
