Sweeney can retain title and nail down Slovenia place

JOE SWEENEY goes into tomorrow’s Woodies DIY national inter-county cross-country championships overwhelming favourite to retain the title he won in Derry last year.

The tall Dubliner went on to add the senior inter-clubs title after that under the astute guidance of his coach Jerry Kiernan, all the indications are he will run a big marathon in the not too distance future.

Right now his focus is on the cross-country season and the European championships in Slovenia in three weeks time. The first two across the line tomorrow gain automatic selection.