special to Irish Runner.com by Eoghan Young-Murphy

The complete overhaul of Athletics Ireland has been gathering pace in recent days with the announcement that a total of twelve successful applications for a variety of positions will be unveiled at the organization's AGM on December 6th.

The governing body of the sport in Ireland, formerly known has the BLÉ, has for many years been ridiculed for its apparent chaotic manner of running the sport especially during the reign of Christy Wall. This prompted the Irish Sports Council, of which John Treacy is the Chief Executive, to request radical change. A review process, undertaken by Gary Owens, has taken place over the past few months to determine its future strategy.

What exactly that practically entails is far from clear, though it seems that many of those who have enjoyed positions of clout will be shafted. The disappointing performances of our elite athletes this year - safe for European Indoor 3,000m and 400m champions Alistair Cragg and David Gillick - has added brought the need for change into the spotlight.

It's understood that five National and Developmental coaches will be appointed, along with a financial consultant and Chief Executive Officer.

Who is likely to fill theses positions it is difficult to speculate, given the paucity of coaches already working on a full-time basis in the country.

Jim Kilty immediately comes to mind; he is to be lauded for transforming Derval O'Rourke and Paul Hession into fine sprinters. Yet having resigned as Director of Coaching three years ago, he has since been scathing in his criticism of the association, believing not enough emphasis is being placed on the welfare of our athletes.

Four times World Cross-Country Championships silver medalists Catherina McKiernan, who has remained actively involved in the sport since her retirement last year, would also be a welcome addition to the AAI. It would be surely a great way forward if her and Sonia O'Sullivan, in the twilight of her career, were handed positions of authority, though the Cobh runner has hinted in the past her lack of interest in working in a formal manner for the sport in Ireland.

The AAI have been notorious for their fractious relationship with many other establishments in athletics, its public fallout with the Irish Sports Council over the omission of several athletes from its Government Grant Scheme being the most recent. No love has been lost with Olympic Council of Ireland or, more pertinently, with the man at its helm, Pat Hickey.

Whatever happens on December 6th, it's clear that the days of Athletics Ireland as an amateur organization are numbered. And that can only be to the advantage of our countries athletes; few will be saddened to see some heads roll.