ULSTER Schools' senior champions Conor Christie (right) and Emer Magee must overcome major challenges if they are to claim victories at tomorrow's All-Ireland Schools' Cross-Country in Cork CIT.
This annual fixture is the culmination of six weeks of competition for the country's best young schools' athletes. Close to 1,000 of these schools' athletes have progressed from their regional qualifiers, and through their provincial championships to reach the prestigious Aviva All-Ireland Schools' Championships.
As ever, there will be a fierce battle for individual titles, with close to 100 schools vying for team medals.
The Ulster pair were convincing winners of the provincial deciders in Mallusk last month but will have to step up a gear if they are to land national gold in the face of daunting southern opposition.
Cross and Passion College's Conor Christie faces race favourite Aaron Hanlon, from St Mary's, Drogheda, in the senior boys' race, while Paddy Robb will be hoping to lead St Malachy's to the team title.
Dominican College's Emer Magee will have to contend with another Leinster champion in Siofra Cleirigh Buttner, who goes for an historic sixth consecutive schools' title in the senior girls' contest.
Friends' School student James Edgar caused a major upset in Mallusk, defeating double Irish age-group champion Christy Conlon in the intermediate boys' race.
However, the Rathmore Grammar pupil is expected to bounce back and lift the national gold despite the presence of Munster champion Kevin Mulcaire. Loreto, Cavan's Clodagh O'Reilly should have recovered sufficiently from last Sunday's National Junior Championship to retain the intermediate girls' title.
Aaron McGlynn from Gairm Scoil Cú Uladh in Donegal and Loreto Coleraine's Abigail McBroom were both impressive winners of the junior age group race at Mallusk and should compete well tomorrow. Strathearn's Olivia Nelson and Omagh CBS pupil Sean Corry carry Ulster hopes in the minor races.