PHOTO FINISH

That iconic moment in 1983 when an Irish hero stamped his name into sporting history books

- MICHAEL SCULLY

MONDAY brings up one of Irish sport's great anniversaries. Helsinki, the first World Championships.

And Eamonn Coghlan finally nails a big one. The year is 1983. The Dubliner is a world force in middle distance running, the renowned chairman of the boards' in the States where he first caught the eye during his Villanova University days.

He lost his father, Bill, in February. Bill was a massive influence on his career and on his life. But just 10 weeks later, Coghlan is the king of New York after smashing the indoor mile world record at Madison Square Garden.

Injury problems forced him to write off 1982 and Coghlan vowed to have everything in place for Helsinki.

It was time to deliver on the biggest stage, having finished fourth in the 1500m in the 1976 Olympics and fourth in the 5000m in Moscow in 19780.

With his 31st birthday only two months away, it was almost now or never in Finland when he lined up for the 5000m final.

"When I was running races I was expected to win because success breeds success," said Coghlan (inset). "When I was racing in Europe or racing in America on the boards, I was winning nine out of 10 races.

"But when it came to the Olympics in 1976, I just got the tactics wrong - immaturely wrong. Maybe it was fear or pressure on that one day, judgement day.

"Then in 1980 I was sick, I just wasn't well at all. I was lucky to just get into the final. Looking back on finishing fourth, it was probably a miracle that I got so close.