Joanne Cuddihy has been training under the radar in Australia over the past few years trying to get back to somewhere bear the form she showed at the 2007 World Championship in Japan, finishing 4th in her semi final dipping under 51secs.
However injury problems mean’t that she nearly missed out on the Beijing Games and she was always going to struggle to make an impact there.
Having completed her medical studies most thought she might retire prematurely, but this weekend sees her back on the track where she makes a welcome return as part of the 4×400 relay team at the European Team Championships in Izmir, Turkey.
Ireland compete in the First League of the ETC, which is technically the second divisionand the top three finishers will be promoted to the Superleague.
Kevin Ankrom , AAI’s new Performance Director will have his first opportunity to see his athletes in action.
Finishing positions are based on a nation’s combined points (men and women) but given the strength of the opposition Ireland will be trying to secure their place in this league.
Ireland finished 8th of 11 team last year, the opposition coming from Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Holland, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland and Turkey.
However in the 4x100m relay the Irish Team have suffered a blow as Ailis McSweeney has pulled out due to an achilles injury.
