Derval O'Rourke

Doogie Browser · August 20, 2009, 11:45:38 AM

Surprised no one mentioned this yet, Derval set a new National record finishing 4th in the 110mts hurdles World final last night in Berlin. Great achievement to go along with her World Indoor 60mt title. Was disappointed RTE did not have live coverage of the race last night, most probably a rights issue.

ludermor · August 20, 2009, 11:51:50 AM

More than likely a budget issue, they used to always have coverage before this year. But it was a great achievement for O Rourke and indeed David Gillick, who would have thought a few years ago that our top athletes would be sprinters!

deiseach · August 20, 2009, 11:58:23 AM

RTÉ were happy to fork out for Panathanaikos v Athletic Madrid.

I miss RTÉ's athletics coverage. The pundits (Treacy, Coghlan, Kiernan) and commentators (O'Donoghue and Hamilton - yes, him! His motor mouth makes him ideal for sprint races) are top notch.

And yes, well done to Derval O'Rourke. I didn't raise it because we'll have the usual trolls calling her a loser but to be fourth best in the world in a sprint event is incredible.

muppet · August 20, 2009, 12:19:49 PM

Quote from: Doogie Browser on August 20, 2009, 11:45:38 AM
Surprised no one mentioned this yet, Derval set a new National record finishing 4th in the 110mts hurdles World final last night in Berlin. Great achievement to go along with her World Indoor 60mt title. Was disappointed RTE did not have live coverage of the race last night, most probably a rights issue.

Due to budgetary cutbacks it was mentioned on the Usain Bolt thread. But it does deserve it's own thread.

Great effort by the sprinters and before the semis I though Hession was the only one of the 3 who might scrape through to a final. O'Rourke not only got through but if any of the girls ahead of her had hit a hurdle she'd have medaled. New PB as well which is all you can ask for in a major final.

gallsman · August 20, 2009, 01:35:20 PM

Great performance. The men's 200m thread has become a proxy thread for the World Championships as a whole. Jerry Kiernan will be creaming himself all over again. Heaven forbid she doesn't win RTE Sportsperson of the year or his whining will be much worse than 2006.

Billys Boots · August 20, 2009, 01:39:38 PM

Fair play to her, she's an excellent competitor, even though her build-up to the race has been hampered by injury and illness. A great achievement, by any standards.

Declan · August 20, 2009, 01:45:43 PM

Fair play to her. Great performance - she must have followed Kiltys training plan to the letter

Doogie Browser · August 20, 2009, 01:46:13 PM

She was drawn in lane 1 too which AFAIK is the worst draw for sprint events (well that and

, it was great to watch. Was very proud of her and she was almost in tears telling the BBC man how gutted she was to see the others do a lap of honour.

TacadoirArdMhacha · August 20, 2009, 01:48:49 PM

Fair play to her. Is it fair to say though that she saves her best form for championships. Is she generally as competitive on the Grand Prix circuit?

the Deel Rover · August 20, 2009, 01:59:15 PM

Quote from: Declan on August 20, 2009, 01:45:43 PM
Fair play to her. Great performance - she must have followed Kiltys training plan to the letter

was she the fittest athlete he has ever seen ?

Donnellys Hollow · August 20, 2009, 02:23:36 PM

Considering her interrupted preparation over the last few years it was a great run from the worst lane. You could see from her interview on the Beeb how much it meant to her. Pity RTÉ thought some mickey mouse soccer rubbish and Fair Sh1tty were more important to show.

moysider · August 20, 2009, 02:39:12 PM

Quote from: the Deel Rover on August 20, 2009, 01:59:15 PM
Quote from: Declan on August 20, 2009, 01:45:43 PM
Fair play to her. Great performance - she must have followed Kiltys training plan to the letter

was she the fittest athlete he has ever seen ?

She fired Kilty ages ago. Hence her improvement. When he was training her she used to go backwards after 60 metres.