Irish Track and Field (Women)

Ireland have not won an athletics medal at the Olympics since Sydney 2000 when Sonia O'Sullivan won a silver medal in the 5.000 metres.
There will be 8 women competing in Beijing next month, 6 in their first Olympics with Derval O'Rourke in her second and Olive Loughnane in her third.

Medal Chances.

Well perhaps Ireland's best shot at a medal comes in the form of Hammer thrower Eileen O'Keeffe who finished in Sixth place in the World Championships last year in Osaka. If she manages to get into the final anything is possible in a very open competition.
Ireland's two steeplechaser's also have a good chance of making their final and Roisin McGettigan proved her ability by winning in the London Super Grand Prix last week and she is an outside hope of a medal.

Predictions

100m hurdles-Derval O'Rourke: Should get through her heat but will struggle to make the final unless she pulls out a top performance which she is capable of doing now and then.

400 metres-Joanne Cuddihy: Will have no problem getting out of her heat and will be close to making the final, if she does it will be a good achievement.

400 metres hurdles-Michelle Carey: She only got in on a B standard time so if she makes it out of her heats it will be a good Olympics for her I think.

3000 metre steeplechase-Roisin McGettigan & Fionnula Britton: Both should make the final, McGettigan could be close to a medal.

20K Walk-Olive Loughnane: Ireland's most experienced woman should put on a strong performance and be in and around the medals, she could cause an upset.

Marathon-Pauline Curley: She too only made the B standard and won't be challenging for medals.

Hammer- Eileen O'Keeffe: Ireland's great medal hope is struggling with a knee injury but she should be fit for the games. She should get to the final with no problem's and if she makes it a silver or bronze medal is a possibility.