On Sunday morning last, Dunboyne Athletic Club hosted a special event to honour three club members – Gerry Reilly, Sarah Treacy and Emma Costello – who represented Ireland at different Olympic/Paralympic games going back as far as what I think was Los Angeles in 1984 in Gerry’s case.
Each of the honourees spoke about their Olympic experiences and, in particular, the role Dunboyne AC and stalwarts thereof in times past – and present in Emma’s case – played in bringing their respective Olympic dreams to reality. Moreover, the large attendance in situ were regaled by former Cllr and champion of all things athletics in the area, Noel Leonard, and the great Sean Boylan.
And, of course, the latter had a story for the occasion. This particular tale revolved around none other than Irish rock legend, Brush Shiels. You see, the bould musician in the beret swore almost on oath that he held a record for the 100m sprint. Now, the claim was met with, in fairness, understandable skepticism. A situation only exacerbated when the oracle of all things Dunboyne athletics, the late Sean Conroy, was doubtful at best as to the voracity of the claims by the man who once encountered Seven Spanish Angels and made one appearance at corner forward on a Meath team. If you know or can find out the circumstances behind the latter fact you have my utmost respect!
Anyway, nothing would do to solve the conundrum as to whether the record genuinely existed or other than to stage the event again. Lo and behold, the oracle never should have been doubted. In fairness, the Brush had ran a very quick time alright, the only problem was he’d stopped 20 metres short of what he was claiming!
But sure never let the truth get in the way of a good story. So Brush’s athletic ambitions never quite reached fruition, but, thankfully, aspiring future stars of track and field have no shortage of role models. As evidenced by the heroic efforts of our relay team in particular at last term’s European Championships in Rome. Rhasidat Adeleke, Sharlene Mawdseley, Tom Barr and Chris O’Donnell.
Now, in the aftermath of that success, Barr took the understandable decision to bring the curtain down on an already stellar career. But, in the other team members, as well as competitors such as Sarah Lavin and Sophie Becker hopes would’ve been high of adding to recent Irish gains on the global athletics stage.
Those ambitions took a serious dent yesterday, however, when Tallaght athlete Adeleke (22) revealed that she would in fact miss the remainder of the current season as the cumulative effect of multiple injuries left her in a race against time that not even she could win.
Announcing the difficult decision in a statement online, the runner said – “”This season has tested me in more ways than I ever anticipated,” Adeleke wrote.
“Lingering injuries and continuous setbacks made it increasingly difficult to train and perform at the level I expect from myself.
“Following yet another recent roadblock, I’m saddened to share that I’m unable to finish out this season.
“I’ll take this time to heal, recover and do what’s necessary so I can show up next season as my best self, mind and body.
“I’m so grateful to everyone that shows me unwavering support. It means the world. Much love – R.”
Having made discernible progress from finishing fourth at the last Olympics and last incarnation of the World Championships in Budapest to medalling at the European Championships in Rome 18th months ago. Gutting though it must have been for Adeleke herself to draw stumps on her dreams, the last thing anyone wants to do is go to a major event and not do themselves justice.
Any of us long enough in the few teeth we have left to remember the pitiful sight of Sonia O’Sullivan tailing off at the end of the field at some major championship or other wouldn’t wish that on anybody. So in that respect one could only admire the athlete’s own honesty where some might have tried to brave-face it and push through.
That said, even from a cursory examination of a few recent Diamond League meets, you wouldn’t to be of Hawking-esque smarts to decipher that Irish athletics’ brightest current star was trying under something of a cloud.
Mind you, at this juncture it will be admitted that, whether it be regarding human or equine racing, the significance of split/sectional timing has been something I’ve never really understood. However, you wouldn’t need to be scientifically minded to discern that the star athlete was considerably under par when one considers that the best time she ran this season was 50:42 for the 400m compared to 49:07 when at the peak of her powers.
Moreover, the fact is she hadn’t become a bad athlete overnight so, though undoubtedly devastating for Rhasidat herself, her fans and anybody with an interest in athletics, she is young enough to go on and add even more chapters to an already brilliant career.
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