McKiernan makes Irish squad

Catherina McKiernan has been selected for Ireland’s Spar European Cross-Country Championships despite missing a key meeting.

A bout of flu ruled McKiernan out the Irish National Inter Counties Championships, effectively the trial race for hopefuls wishing to be included in the team for the championships in Edinburgh on December 14.

McKiernan, winner of the first two European titles in 1994 and 95, is part of a strong squad which should challenge pre-event favourites England and Russia.

Olympic 5,000metres silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan, who has broken a training spell in Australia and arrives from Melbourne on Thursday, will be joining McKiernan.

It will be the first time the pair have appeared in the same national side since their top-10 finishes in the 1997 World Cross-Country Championships saw the team rewarded with bronze medals.

Three Olympians, led by captain Ann Keenan Buckley, Marie McMahon Davenport and Rosemary Ryan, are also included in the squad, which is completed by Jolene Byrne.

Seamus Power, winner of a ninth successive Inter Counties crown at the weekend, heads the men’s contingent.

Strong support is expected from Alistair Cragg, who finished eighth in last year’s race.

Men: S Power (Kilmurray/Ibrickane capt), P Mathews (DSD), V Mulvey (Raheny), R Connolly (DSD), M Kenneally (Raheny), A Cragg (unattached), T Druet (Sligo, reserve).

Women: A Keenan Buckley (N Laois capt), R Ryan (Bilboa), J Byrne (Donore), S O’Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh), C McKiernan (Annalee), M Davenport (Marian), M McCambridge (DSD).