Mark English heads a 12-strong Irish squad for the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Prague.
The 21-year-old finished sixth in his first race of the season at the Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham last Saturday. His time of 1.47.17 ranks him fourth in Europe.
On Sunday, he won at the GloHealth Irish national indoor championships in Athlone.
“It indicates to me that I am able to put able to put two races back to back and hopefully I can simulate that in the Europeans because that is going to be real challenge in a championships," said the Donegal man.
"I proved myself in Europeans last summer and I am looking to do the same in Prague."
He added: “It is a completely different discipline running indoors. That arch in the track is so much more difficult to pass on.”
Irish team named for next week's European Indoors in Prague pic.twitter.com/LREKYTCrYC
— Will Downing (@WillDowningComm) February 24, 2015
Joining English in the men's 800m will be Declan Murray, who English narrowly beat at the national indoors over the weekend.
English is also part of a five-man 4x400m squad along with Dara Kervick, who will also compete in the 400m.
Danny Mooney and John Travers will go in the 1500m, Paul Pollock in the 3000m, while 60m hurdler Gerard O'Donnell is the only male sprinter in the squad.
Adam McMullen competes in the men's long-jump, while 800m runner Ciara Everard is the only female athlete travelling to the Czech Republic.
The Championships take place from March 5th to 8th.
