Mills out of Ireland Olympic side

Published Tuesday, 24 July 2012
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Co Antrim runner Joanna Mills will not be part of the Ireland woman's relay team at the Olympic Games, a sports tribunal has ruled.

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The 19-year-old had appealed after she was left out of the team, and Kilkenny-born athlete Catriona Cuddihy was set to travel to London.

Mill's appeal had been based on a number of factors, including her personal best of 54.41sec compared to Cuddihy's slower season best of 54.59sec.

The panel upheld the Ballyclare teen's petition, but days later Cuddihy launched a counter-appeal with the Athletics Ireland Appeal Panel in Dublin.

I would rather be running faster and not be going than be running slower just to get a place to go.

Joanna Mills

Cuddihy's original selection was based on a number of different criteria, including experience at major championships, and her appeal against Mills' inclusion at her expense was upheld by an Athletics Ireland Appeal Panel (AIAP) in Dublin.

A statement read: "The Tribunal in reviewing the selection criteria and the AIAP decision found that it did not agree with the AIAP conclusions. The Tribunal found that the selectors did follow and apply the selection policy outlined in the Relay Programme and did so with diligence and acumen.

"Based on these findings the Tribunal upheld the appeal of Catriona Cuddihy, and her original nomination to the OCI as an athlete on the Women's 4 x 400m relay is reinstated."

Mills could still take her appeal to the CAS, but said she needs more time to think through her options.

"It has been disappointing the way the whole process has been handled," she explained.

"It's only made me more hungry to compete at an Olympic Games. Hopefully next time it will be a bit more of a clear cut decision."

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8 Comments
Thomas in Coalisland wrote (328 days ago):
wise up Cahir Statham. I knew this some people would drag up this whole them v us mentality. Typical small minded thinking that Northern people often show. what about Michael Conlon, Paddy Barnes or Syrika McMahon to name a few? How come they were chosen to represent Ireland if they are from "up there."? Catch yourself on, it was a bad decision but not made because of where she was born!
Andy in Belfast wrote (329 days ago):
@ Bill Marno ...... There is no players from Northern Ireland or Scotland for that matter because the IFA & SFA did not want their players to be included in Team GB for fear of losing individual status with FIFA .
Cahir Statham in Dungannon wrote (329 days ago):
This is typical of the southern institutions. Its plain to see, in black and white, Joanna Mills didnt get selected because she is from "up there" Its a disgrace
Martin in Belfast wrote (330 days ago):
Strange decision this, to allow an athlete with inferior performace to be selected on the team ahead of a faster girl. I hope there is no ulterior motive behind this, but give the circumstances it is understandable that some people might think so.
bill marno in Belfast wrote (330 days ago):
After her exclusion I hope the Irish team drop the baton and fail....same as the GB football team...none from Northern Ireland?..hope they get stuffed!
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