Athletics guru Brother John Dooley has been attending All-Ireland Schools Track and Field Championships for more than 40 years, and the magical appeal of the showpiece is still as strong as ever.

Up the brow of the first hill it was clear Síofra Cléirigh Buttner had her sixth consecutive Aviva All-Ireland Schools Cross Country gold medal ready to be draped over her neck on a challenging course at Cork IT.

By Will Downing

Four-time world cross country silver medallist Catherina McKiernan has urged the future distance running stars “to enjoy” the Aviva Irish Schools’ Cross Country Championships that take place tomorrow in the University of Ulster, Jordanstown if they are to succeed.