Sonia to coach Australia for World Cross-Country

SONIA O’SULLIVAN has been named Australia’s team coach for the World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh.

O’Sullivan, who scored a long and short course double for Ireland in 1998, has had dual Australian and Irish nationality since 2006.

“I hope that my experiences in the past will inspire the team to run at a high level,” said the Cork woman.

“The World Cross Country always has a special place in my heart.”

She added: “Most of the girls on the team I have trained with while in Australia. We hope that this familiarity and experience I have will lead to a good team spirit that is required for a good team performance in Edinburgh.”

Athletics Australia are sending a 22-strong team and are hopeful that O’Sullivan’s guidance will speed up the development of their youngsters.

“Having Sonia as team coach will be a great opportunity for the development of our junior athletes,” said team manager Tim O’Shaughnessy.

Meanwhile O’Sullivan will make a surprise appearance at the Great Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park, Dublin on Sunday, April 6.

In last year’s event Ireland’s greatest ever sportswoman, made her farewell competitive road racing appearance in Ireland.

She said: “I am really looking forward to the Great Ireland Run this year. It is the sixth year of the Run in the Phoenix Park and it is fantastic that the Run has continued to grow and become increasingly more popular with runners of all abilities each year. This year I will be running for Cork in the mass participation race and I hope to have the backing of plenty runners from Cork as we challenge for the Ronnie Delany Inter-County Trophy.

“I really love running in the Phoenix Park and to have the opportunity to run there with thousands of others so soon after our return from Australia is something I am really looking forward to on April 6.”