Turin - Day 1
What a morning here in the oval in Turin. Off like a shot at 10am Derval O'Rourke full of confidence did the business won her heat 8.06 the fastest 8.05 so keep the focus and complete the business later today . Then the 400m girls . I entered them simply cause they were here for relay and took advantage of that situation to give them the experience and how they responded . First up Marian Andrews battled so well after giving way at the 200m bend and drove home for an indoor p b 53.94 . Brona Furlong next and remember this was an athlete that captained WExford to all Ireland camogie glory only 18 months ago . ,grabbed the second spot an automatic qualifying spot 2 girls in the semis how good is that top 12 in Europe so i am inclined to say to blazes with the begrudgers or words to that effect to those who criticised my entering and believing in them . David Gillick carries the pressure of twice being champion and it does not get any better in terms of pressure as the years roll on . Myself and himself attended a press conference yesterday added pressure and walked the walk from the hotel this morning . He had it all under control and is in the first semi late this evening back in thr bed now for a rest and i pick him up again 4pm local time . And finally Kelly Proper in the second attempt 6-59 an unbelievable Irish record a place in the final ranked 5th after qualification .Now thats special up there with the best . and sitting here with the main man Kieran Carlin who is sending shots back to Thomas . WE will update twice a day if possible so log in nobody else has this insight other than www.finnvalleyac.com
Its 7.15 at night a 12 hour day of planning watching getting excited being down and whatever other emotions you want to callin to play . In the last hour the serious good luck and endeavour of life in the day of the Irish athletics ran out with David Gillick going down in the semi 400m then you are on your feet watching replays in the video room and eventually lodged an appeal on the grounds that he had been hindered . THat didnt work as it was turned down by jury of appeal But at the same time Derval was coming through with a seasons best to grab a bronze to bring joy . Experience is key in this game at the official in charge level and from the athlete in this case Derval O Rourke who first ran when she was 9 yrs old . Gave Davids coach the bad news no great conversation piece that as you can understand .UNder the radar but so important Roisin Mc Gettigan ,David Mc Carthy came through Marian Andrews and Brona Furlong acquited themselves really well in semi and Zoe Brown from Antrim just missed out on yet another Irish record .
Time to eat get the coaches together to plan for tomorrow an early start once again so myself and Kieran are on the move back to hotel to await what another day will bring . Sport is a mirror of life i feel and today when at one time absolutely nothing could go wrong BANG downs goes the reigning European champion our main man . No time to reflect ,regroup and get stuck in again tomorrow . Keep in touch.
Patsy Mc Gonagle
Team Manager
Pictures by Kieran Carlin.
|
