Irish women’s golf has gone through many ups and downs over the years but there has nearly always been a big star to keep things ticking over, from a Philomena Garvey or Clarrie Reddan to a Mary McKenna or a Maureen Madill.

Catherina McKiernan romped to victory in the Margate International cross country meeting in England today – and then set her sights on rolling back the years at next month’s European Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh.

Sonia O’Sullivan completed her racing preparation for the New York City marathon with a convincing win over five miles in the Great Ireland run in County Galway today.

The Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the World Cross Country Championships in Dublin has been named following the British Inter-Counties Championships in Nottingham on Saturday.