Ireland competed at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Osaka, Japan. The Irish team was made up of 15 athletes competing in 13 events. Despite not winning any medals, the team was thought to have performed excellently by Irish commentators. Ireland's highest placed finishers were Eileen O'Keefe in the women's hammer throw and Robert Heffernan in the men's 20K walk, both of whom finished in 6th place. Only one national record was set, by Joanne Cuddihy in the women's 400m semi-final. Despite none of them making the final, Ireland's sprinters were perhaps the most impressive performers with David Gillick, Paul Hession, Derval O'Rourke and Cuddihy all reaching the semi-finals and being ranked inside the top 16.
Results by event
Men's competition
200 m Paul Hession Round 1 — 2nd - 20.46 Round 2 — 1st - 20.50 Semi Final — - 6th - 20.50 (did not advance)
400 m David Gillick Round 1 — 3rd - 45.35 Semi Final — 6th - 45.37 (Did not advance)
800 m David Campbell Round 1 — 7th - 1.46.77 (Did not advance)
5,000 m Alistair Cragg Round 1 — 13th - 13:59.45 (Did not advance)
20K Walk Robert Heffernan Final — 6th - 1:23:42
50K Walk Colin Griffin Final — DQ Jamie Costin Final — DNF
Women's competition
400 m Joanne Cuddihy Round 1 — 3rd - 51.55 Semi-Final — 50.73 (New National Record) (Did not advance)
5,000 m Mary Cullen Round 1 — 11th - 15:40.53 (Did not advance)
100 m Hurdles Derval O'Rourke Round 1 — 4th - 12.91 Semi final — 8th - 12.98 (Did not advance)
3000 m Steeplechase Roísín McGettigan Semi-Final — 4th - 9:39.41 Final — 10th - 9:39.80 Fionnuala Britton Semi-Final — 7th - 9:42.38 Final — 12th - 9:48.09
20K Walk Olive Loughnane Final — 17th - 1:36:00
Hammer Throw Eileen O'Keefe Qualifying — 5th - 71.07 m Final - 6th - 70.93 m
Competitor summary
Men 200 m: Paul Hession 400 m: David Gillick 800 m: David Campbell 5,000 m: Alistair Cragg 20 km Walk: Robert Heffernan 50 km Walk: Colin Griffin and Jamie CostinWomen 100 m Hurdles: Derval O'Rourke 400 m: Joanne Cuddihy 5,000 m: Mary Cullen 3,000 m Steeplechase: Fionnuala Britton, Roisin McGettigan 20 km Walk: Olive Loughnane Hammer Throw: Eileen O'Keeffe Note David Campbell was originally selected for the 800m and 1,500m but only ran the 1,500m Paul Hession was selected for 100m and 200m but ran only the 200m
References