McCarthy looks set to deliver

MARTIN McCARTHY (Leevale) won’t be taking anything for granted when he lines up for the national inter-clubs cross-country championships long course race at Rathdrum on Sunday, for the Corkman has learned from experience.

With three of the top four from last year absent reigning champion Peter Matthews recovering from injury, runner-up Seamus Power, recovering from a chest infection and Fiachra Lombard, opting for the short course race two weeks later it might appear to some that the destination of the title will be decided by McCarthy and his clubmate, Cathal Lombard, who was third last year. Then the younger of the Lombard brothers, Fiachra, outkicked Martin McCarthy in the long run for home in atrocious conditions. With the exception of Matthews, they all assembled again for the national inter-counties championships in Donoughmore in December when Cathal Lombard came off illness to take part. McCarthy was in pretty good shape going into the race but he trailed home in sixth place after running a very poor tactical race.

And he goes into Sunday's race in the form of his life. He spent some time training at altitude in South Africa returning three weeks ago after training alongside three Olympic champions including Gabriela Szabo. Steve Backley was also there and a number of leading sprinters.

He was accompanied by Claire Gibbons, who won the national intermediate title on her return and they joined James Nolan who has had a 1,500m win out there, Maria Lynch, who came back to win the 3,000m at the national indoor championships and James McIlroy. "It was a fantastic experience. The atmosphere was unreal at the camp," he said. "We got in some excellent training sessions and the weather was just perfect.

"Claire won the intermediate title just after she returned. They say that you should run immediately or else leave it for 10 days or so. I felt really good 10 days after coming back so I am looking forward to racing now."

He admitted that the absence of the top athletes might lead people to think that this was going to be a race between himself and Cathal Lombard.

"I am not looking it like that at all," he said.

"This is a race I want to win. I feel I am in the shape to win it and I have put myself in a position where I feel I can win it and I know someone will have to run very well to beat me.