Paul Keogan ready for World Championships
Skryne man Paul Keogan is one of 10 athletes selected for the Paralympics Ireland team for the 2017 Para Athletics World Championships which are set to take place next week at the London Olympic stadium from 14th to 23rd July.
A member of Cushinstown AC, Paul Keogan secured three gold medals in the CP World Games in Nottingham in 2015 and went on to secure a standard for Rio and selection for the 400m as part of the Irish team.
Paul was hampered in the build up due to injury leaving him unable to compete in the 2016 European Championships in Italy while in Rio he was very unlucky to false-start in his 400m heat.
For the first time both the World Para Athletics Championships and the IAAF World Championships will be held in the same city in the same summer across 20 days making it the world's biggest sporting event of 2017.
The Para Championships precede its able-bodied equivalent and already over 230,000 tickets have been sold for the Para Athletics World Championships making it by far the biggest in the event's history.
'It's a great honour to lead such an experienced and talented group of athletes. The team has progressed dramatically over the last number of years through their own hard work, and that of their home coaches in addition to the support we've been able to provide,' commented Irish team manager James Nolan.
'The athletes will undoubtedly enjoy performing in front of what is set to be a massive crowd, that will include many Irish supporters.Medals are incredibly tough to secure at World level but this group of athletes have done it before so will certainly be aiming for that podium again in London,' he added.
The Irish team boasts five Paralympic medallists and all 10 athletes who competed at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Led by multiple Paralympic gold medallists and defending World champions Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop this experienced team also features Cork's trio of throwing Paralympic medallists Noelle Lenihan, Orla Barry and Niamh McCarthy.
All five secured podium finishes at the last World Championships in 2015 as did Deirdre Mongan who is also named.
Middle distance runner Greta Streimikyte will make her World Championship debut, as will Dublin sprinter Orla Comerford.
Meath man Paul Keogan will race over 200m and 400m.
Kildare wheelchair racer Patrick Monahan is set to challenge over 800m and 1500m, as his favoured event; the marathon is not on the London programme.
TEAMS AND EVENTS
Jason Smyth, City of Derry AC, T13, 100m & 200m
Michael McKillop, North Belfast Harriers, T37, 800m & 1500m
Paul Keogan, Cushinstown AC, T37, 200m & 400m
Patrick Monahan, Le Cheile AC, T53, 800m & 1500m
Niamh McCarthy, Eagle AC, F41, Discus
Orla Barry, Leevale AC, F57, Discus
Noelle Lenihan, North Cork AC, F38, Discus
Deirdre Mongan, F53, Shot Put,
Orla Comerford, Raheny Shamrocks, T13, 100m,
Greta Streimikyte, Clonliffe Harriers, T13, 1500m,
TEAM STAFF
Manager: James Nolan
Throws Coach: Dave Sweeney
Physiotherapist: Jon Faulkner
Support: Emer O'Brien
Support: Micheal Bergin
Support: Jim Lenihan