Ciobanu and McCambridge Favourites for “Nationals”

Clonliffe’s Sergiu Ciobanu will defend his men’s title at Sunday’s Woodie’s DIY National Cross-Country in Dundalk.

Also tipped to make an impact are Andrew Connick of Ferrybank, winner of last weekend’s national inter title,   the in-form Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock, Donore’s John Travers, Joe Sweeney of DSD, and Stephen Scullion who joins Ciobanu on  the Clonliffe team hoping to win its 11th title since 2000. Also selected for Clonliffe are Gary O’Hanlon, Brian McMahon, Colm Rooney, Jayme Rossiter, Tudor Mircea, John Heneghan and Ian Guiden.

Defending women’s champion Mary Cullen from Sligo won’t be running in the women’s 8km race, which leaves the way open for  DSD’s Maria McCambridge, a previous winner of the race in 2006 and 2009. McCambridge has missed a few weeks training after collapsing in the Dungarvan 10-Mile last January and spending a night in hospital.

She is named on a strong DSD team that includes Sarah Mulligan, winner of the Snowdon International Mountain Race last summer. DSD is going for a tenth team title since 2001, but is missing some of its big names, among them Ava Hutchinson. Also entered is Sarah McCormack of Clonliffe, second behind Fionnuala Britton at the National Intercounties last December. She was forced to withdraw from the Irish  team for the European Cross with a broken toe, but has produced some impressive results in the Munster Trail League in recent week.

Defending their team title is a Raheny Shamrock team that includes Aoife Talty, Kate Cronin and Maria O’Sullivan, but may struggle for a fourth counter. Michelle McGee of Brothers Pearse who won the national inter title in such style last Sunday – and the national novice title  in December – is also listed to run.

In the junior races, Clare McCarthy and Isabelle Odlum lead a typically strong DSD women’s squad that will hope to continue its domination of this event. Aaron Hanlon of Clonliffe is among the favourites to win the men’s race. Also running is Kevin Mulcaire of Ennis TC.

Time table – Juvenile intercounty C-C relays, 12 noon,  jun women’s 4km, 1pm,  jun men’s 6km, 1.30pm, sen women’s 8km, 2pm,  sen men’s 12km, 2.45pm.