Sport

Fionnuala McCormack hopes to continue her fine record at Phoenix Park

Fionnuala McCormack hopes to add another national title to her collection when she competes in the Great Ireland Run in Dublin on Sunday
Fionnuala McCormack hopes to add another national title to her collection when she competes in the Great Ireland Run in Dublin on Sunday Fionnuala McCormack hopes to add another national title to her collection when she competes in the Great Ireland Run in Dublin on Sunday

FIONNUALA McCormack hopes to add another national title to her already impressive collection this weekend when she takes to the startline of the Great Ireland Run in Dublin on Sunday.

The Irish championship has been incorporated in the race for the past number of years and the Phoenix Park circuit has proven a happy hunting ground for the Wicklow woman.

There is added interest this year with the race also including a match against England.

County Down woman Kerry O’Flaherty is included in the Irish selection alongside the former European cross country champion with DSD’s Laura O’Shaughnessy completing the trio.

There are no northern athletes on the men’s team led by Mark Christie. Marathon exponent Mick Clohisey, Liam Brady and Kevin Dooney are also included.

The Irish University Track and Field Championships also take place this week, hosted by Cork IT, where a number of Ireland’s leading athletes look set to compete including Olympic Games fourth-placer Thomas Barr for the University of Limerick.

Tomorrow, the enterprising Born 2 Run Event Company organise the Castleward Challenge which incorporates races over 5K, 10K and half0marathon distances.

The first race is set to begin at 10am and entries will be accepted right up until the gun fires. Also tomorrow, Kerry Crawford is organising the Gortin 5K & 10K which has a midday start.

Sunday sees the ever-popular Dale Farm Protein Milk Titanic Quarter 10K down for decision with a field of 1400 facing a 12.30pm starting time.

The men’s race has attracted a quality line-up with Paul Barbour, Barry Harron, Conor Duffy, Zak Hanna and David O’Flaherty all registered for the event.

The optimistically named Feeney Fast & Furious in county Derry has an earlier starting time of 11am. Entries will be taken on the day.