McKiernan hangs up her racing shoes

CATHERINA McKIERNAN brought the curtain down on an enthralling career and closed one of the most exciting chapters in the history of Irish sport when she announced her retirement from competitive athletics last evening.

The 34-year-old Co Cavan woman was one of the athletes who raised women’s marathon running to the popularity level it enjoys today, but it was in cross-country running that she really excelled, and four silver medals from successive world championships have earned her a place among the legends of this discipline.

It is fitting that she should bow out as the reigning national cross-country champion having returned to competitive running in time to reclaim the title last February.