Banned coach is advising Irish Olympic hopeful

Posted: Monday 12th October 2009 | 13:28

BANNED athletics coach David Farrow is guiding the career of Irish Olympic hopeful Rose Anne Galligan.

UNDER SCRUTINY: Irish middle distance runner Rose Anne Galligan is being advised by David Farrow, a coach banned by UK Athletics

Farrow was handed a five-year suspension by UK Athletics in 2007 after being accused and found guilty of ‘abusing his position of trust’.

However, the 57-year old has been working with 800m runner Galligan, 21, and accompanied her to the European under-23 Championships earlier this year.

Farrow - who previously coached long-distance runner Emily Pidgeon – is only banned by UKA but both the Irish Sports Council, which funds Galligan, and Athletics Ireland are monitoring the situation.

"It is of course a matter of concern that a coach banned in another jurisdiction is coaching one of our affiliated athletes,” said an Athletics Ireland spokesman.

"The Irish team management was not aware at the time that UK Athletics had withdrawn Mr Farrow's licence to coach.

"At all times Ms Galligan was under the direct care and guidance of an Irish female official."

Comments

"Banned" is the wrong word

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 12:25.

"Banned" is the wrong word to use and gives an erroneous picture. His licence was withdrawn by UKA - this action does not "ban" him from coaching, he is free to coach as an independent coach and it is an athlete's prerogative to choose who they are coached by. The matter should be judged by results - look how her performances have improved since he has been coaching her - 4 seconds off 800m time, 7 seconds off 1500m time.