O'Sullivan tempted to return

Olympic 5,000 metres silver-medallist Sonia O’Sullivan is considering returning from Australia in December to run in the European cross country championships.

O’Sullivan confirmed her interest in Dublin this morning, where she is preparing for Sunday’s Great BUPA Ireland Run – which has attracted a huge entry of over 2,000 runners.

She believes Ireland are strong enough to take the team gold medal in Dublin, having herself completed a unique double when clinching both the world cross long and short course gold medals five years ago.

Her belief is strengthened with former champion Catherina McKiernan now back in action after a lay-off through motherhood and injury.

With support from the ever-reliable veteran Ann Keenan-Buckley, the Irish squad is more than capable of pulling off a victory in Edinburgh on December 14.

O’Sullivan, one of the favourites for the individual title – assuming she competes – said: “It is a long journey but there is a good chance I will return for the championships.”

After Sunday’s 10-kilometre race in Phoenix Park, she has only one more race scheduled – the Great South Run in Portsmouth, where O’Sullivan set a world 10-mile record last year.

She added: “Then it will be off to Melbourne for a couple of weeks rest before I start training again.

“It’s a long way to come back but if everything is going well, I’ll make a decision in mid-November about running in the Europeans.

“I think with the talent we have available we can do really well in Edinburgh and winning the team gold medals is a strong possibility.”

The clash between McKiernan and O’Sullivan promises to be the highlight of Sunday’s race, which also features a team race between six overseas countries.

O’Sullivan’s victory chances have increased with main rival Benita Johnson competing less than 24 hours earlier for Australia in the World half marathon championships.

However in the men’s race, last year’s World Cup 3,000m winner Craig Mottram looks set to claim victory for the Aussies.

Mottram looks the best of a strong field which includes England’s Karl Keska and John Mayock. Irish hopes are carried on the shoulders of Peter Matthews and Seamus Power.