Athletics Sends 11 athletes to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi - 15 August 2010

The final wave of athletes has been named by the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council for the Commonwealth Games which kicks of from 3-14th October in Delhi.

Twenty six athletes from the popular sports of Boxing, Athletics and Swimming have been confirmed, including high profile names such as boxer Paddy Barnes and swimmer Melanie Nocher. At Delhi, 71 teams will compete over 17 sports and 4 Para Sports. Support is received from Sport Northern Ireland while a number of athletes are part of the Sports Institute NI (SINI).

Athletics lines up another eight athletes including an exciting 4x400m relay team. Sprinter Amy Foster (SINI) will race over 100m after recording a string of good performances this season including winning the NI and English AAA Championships while Tom Reynolds has been selected for the Decathlon after a PB time of 7270 earlier this year.

Also included is James McIlroy, an Olympic 800m semi-finalist in 2000 who recorded an 800m seasons best of 1.48.83 last week in Dublin. McIlroy finished sixth in the Commonwealth 800m final in Manchester in 2002 and will be looking to rectify a disappointing Games in Melbourne.

One athlete who impressed the selectors this season was Stephen Scullion who ran the race of his life at the weekend when he finished 3rd in a star studded 1500 metres field and also recorded a new PB over 5000m earlier in the year.

Stephen said:
I've faced many hurdles in my running career! But after each hurdle I've learned from the experience! I wouldn't be were I am now without my mum and dad, friends, coach and support team. It will be an honour to represent everyone who has stuck by me over the years!"

The young relay team consisting of Katie Kirk, Christine McMahon, Joanna Mills and Jo Patterson recorded a time of 3 minutes 40.40 seconds at the Antrim Forum recently which is the second fastest ever and just outside the longstanding 1996 record of 3.40.12. The various team members have all recorded individual 400m times of less than 56 seconds.

Already announced is Jason Smyth, Kelly McNeice and Ciara Mageean.

Team coach is Jackie McKernan while Assistant Team Coach is David Reid. Press Officer for the NI Commonwealth Team is Clare McCoy.

Robert McVeigh of the NI Commonwealth Games Council said:
“I believe we have selected the best Northern Ireland competitors to compete in the Games. We wish them well in their challenge to represent Northern Ireland in Delhi against 70 other Nations”.

Amy Foster 100m, 200m 4x400m relay

Katie Kirk, 4x400m relay 400m

Ciara Mageean, 800m and 1500m/ 4x400m

Joanna Mills 4x400m relay 400m,

James McIlroy 800m, 1500m

Christine McMahon 4x400 relay, 400mh

Kelly McNeice 800m, 4X400m relay

Joanna Patterson 4x400m relay, 400m

Tomas Reynolds - Decathlon

Stephen Scullion 5000m