ATHLETICS: In stark contrast to the Olympic selection criteria, the Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI) has set their European Indoor qualification cut-off date just five days before the championships begin in Madrid on March 4th. The early deadline set by the Olympic Council of Ireland caused a major stir before Athens last summer, but this time the AAI have taken the opposite stance.

Irish athletes have until Sunday, February 27th, to get the necessary standards for Madrid - the last day allowed by the European federation. Clearly the AAI believe in sending as many athletes as possible, and the 10 Irish who have qualified to date are certain to be joined by several more.

Paul Brizzel was the most recent qualifier thanks to his 21.32-second run over 200 metres in Ghent on Sunday, just under the necessary 21.40. Among those most likely to qualify as well are James Nolan (1,500 metres) and Peter Coghlan (60 metres hurdles), and this weekend's British AAA championships in Birmingham will include a large Irish contingent also intent on making Madrid.

Three athletes are allowed per event, and already both Alistair Cragg and Mark Carroll have secured the 3,000 metres time. While Cragg is definitely targeting Madrid, and indeed the European title, Carroll will make his mind up this weekend when he runs the distance at the Arkansas Invitational meeting - where Cragg will be among his fellow starters.

Until recently Carroll had little interest in the indoor season, but his 7:46.60 clocking last month and a 4:01.36 mile victory in Boston last Saturday has changed all that. As European champion of five years ago he now feels the trip to Madrid might be worthwhile.

There is already a full quota in the 400 metres where Dave Gillick, David McCarthy and Rob Daly have all qualified. McCarthy secured one of the spots by winning the national title in Nenagh at the weekend.

All three will also have a place on the relay team and after the bronze medal run in the World Indoor Championships in Budapest last March the Irish quartet will have high ambitions.

Carroll, meanwhile, has confirmed his entry for the Great Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park on April 9th, where he's set to take on two-time winner Craig Mottram of Australia. And the event organisers have also announced the participation of Sonia O'Sullivan, who will use the 10km road race as part of her final preparations for the London marathon the following Sunday.