A record 20,000 runners will stride out on Merrion Square South tomorrow morning for the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon, with club runners from Acorn AC right through to Youghal in search of that coveted finishing medal.

Paul McNamara has only been Athletics Ireland’s High-Performance director since April. 

Two-time Irish marathon champion Sean Hehir says he is far more inspired by legendary Clare hard-man Seamus Power than the Kenyan Olympic champion who took part in the recent bid to break the two-hour marathon barrier.

Financial services group IFG has said it is well-positioned to build on a strong year which saw group revenues beat market expectations.

Galbally caused the shock of the weekend as they beat Clanwilliam in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup.

Connacht coach Pat Lam said that it measure of his endurance and determination that Nathan White was able to overcome injury and disappointment to become the oldest player in the professional era to make his debut for Ireland.

Financial services company IFG is to continue to reduce its involvement in the Irish insurance market as it focuses more so on its UK operations.

Financial services group, IFG anticipates “meaningful growth” in group profitability in 2015 and has said it will adopt “a more progressive” approach to dividend payments to shareholders.

Financial services group IFG has announced the sale of its Irish operations, but intends to keep its primary share listing in Dublin and remain headquartered in Booterstown.

IFG Ireland is on course to return to profitability over the course of this year with both operating results and revenue improving over the past 12 months, according to the company’s interim management statement.

Ardscoil Rís 11 St Munchin’s 7

Ardscoil Rís withstood strong second-half pressure from Glenstal to emerge clearcut winners of an excellent Avonmore Milk Munster Schools’ Junior Cup game at Coonagh.

Thirty one members of the Dublin County Amateur Boxing Board have been told by a judge to pay a €60,000 costs bill arising out of an unsuccessful legal foray against their parent body, the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.

SERGIU CIOBANU (Clonliffe Harriers) battled his way through incessant wind and rain to claim victory in yesterday’s Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon setting a course record at 2:25.54.

COLIN MERRITT (Carraig na bhFear AC) could go one better than last year if plans for Monday’s Bord Gáis Energy Cork City Marathon materialise.

OFF the field, the raging inferno that is the Limerick hurling crisis burns on, yet between the white lines Justin McCarthy is attempting to plough on with the preparation work for the 2010 season.

The Irish team are in a positive mood despite two withdrawals ahead of this weekend's World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh.

A Russian runner today broke the record for Dublin City Marathon by a minute and a half.

ATHLETICS Ireland could turn their back on Jim Kilty and move outside the country to fill the position of Director of Coaching which has become vacant following the resignation of Stephen Maguire.

VINNY MULVEY (Raheny Shamrock) made the 100-metre trip from his apartment to claim the National inter-club cross-country championship title in spectacular fashion at Santry Demesne on Saturday from young Mark Christie (Mullingar Harriers) and his flatmate, Killian Lonergan.

CHAMPIONS Limerick IT are yet to decide whether Eoin Kelly plays in today’s Datapac Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final against UCC.

LEADING estate agents Lisney swung into the red last year.

THE forced withdrawal of Alistair Cragg has been a huge blow to Ireland’s medal hopes at the European cross-country championships in Tilburg, but the men’s team, led by national champion Gary Murray, are ready to get on with the job they came here to do.

MEDAL hope Alistair Cragg has been forced to withdraw from the Irish team for Sunday’s European cross-country championships in Tilburg.

EUROPEAN gold medallist Alistair Cragg is considering an audacious attempt at the 4km and 12km titles on successive days at the World Cross-Country Championships in Saint-Etienne/Saint-Galmier next weekend.

GARY MURRAY (St. Malachy’s) claimed the national inter-clubs cross-country title at Santry on Saturday after an exciting duel with Mark Kenneally (Clonliffe Harriers) as the young guns finally wrestled control of the championship from the old guard.

St Malachy's Gary Murray powered to his first ever Irish Cross Country title at Santry today - booking his place in next month's World Championships in France, in the process.

Brendan Mooney

AILISH McSWEENEY will be the star attraction at the Munster indoor championships in Nenagh on Sunday as she attempts a double in the sprints.

MARK CHRISTIE, one of the country’s most exciting athletes, is all set to bring down the curtain on his junior career with a stylish performance at the European Cross-country Championships in Heringsdorf, Germany, on Sunday.

Na Piarsaigh 2-13Doon 1-14

FIANNA FÁIL last night held onto its three seats in the mid-Roscommon electoral area as the final count of the local elections concluded.

WHILE the Irish competitors in the Flora London Marathon were having a disastrous day on Sunday the Irish women’s team at the Ekiden Relays in Brussels were enjoying a profitable weekend with a sweeping victory while the men’s team finished in second place.

Fermoy 1-7 Erin’s Own 0-8