Big Curragh test for Christie

MARK CHRISTIE is all set to defend his title at the national inter-counties cross-country championships at The Curragh tomorrow, but the Mullingar Harrier is only too well aware of the enormity of the task that lies ahead.

Unlike last year, when he had won the Jerry Farnan Memorial and competed in a couple of other events in the lead up, he has just one race behind him this time.

That was in Tilburg where he finished sixth in a very competitive race over a tough course. Gary Murray, the inter-club champion, who was third in the inter-counties last year, finished 11th, with last year’s inter-club champion, Vinny Mulvey, 12th.