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4 Time World Cross Country silver medalist Catherina McKiernan
has been rewarded by her recent return to form with selection
for the forthcoming World Cross Country Championships which
will be held in Brussels on March 20-21st 2004.
The Cavan woman, who has made a courageous return to top
class form after a
string of career threatening injuries will take her place
in the Belgian
capital after last competing at this level back in Turin in
1997 when,
along with Sonia O'Sullivan, she memorably led the Irish team
to a historic
bronze medal winning performance.
Before this of course McKiernan has taken the individual
silver medal on
four consecutive years from 1992-1995 inclusive.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be picked again at this
level" said McKiernan
on hearing the news. "There have been so many times over
the past few years
that the World CC Championships seemed way beyond reach that
I had nearly
given up hope but this is extremely satisfying"
She will be joined by Sydney Olympian Rose Mary Ryan, Joelene
Byrne and
Pauline Curley, all of whom have medalled at World or European
level in the
past.
The mens team is led by the ultra consistent Seamus Power
from Clare who
reclaimed his National Inter Clubs title in Roscommon at the
weekend.
Power, who will be hoping to win his record 10th consecutive
National Inter
Counties title later this year is joined by Belfast's Dermot
Donnelly, and
the Dublin quartet of Dundrum's Peter Matthews, Mark Kenneally
from Raheny
Shamrock A.C.,Killian Lonergan of Clonliffe Harriers A.C and
Vincent Mulvey
Raheny Shamrock A.C.
 32nd
IAAF World Cross Country Brussels 20 to 21st March 2004
Irish Teams
Men (Long Course)
Seamus Power Kilmurry/Ibrickane A.C.
Dermot Donnelly Annadale Striders A.C.
Peter Mathews Dundrum South Dublin A.C.
Mark Kenneally Raheny Shamrock A.C.
Killian Lonergan Clonliffe Harriers A.C.
Vincent Mulvey Raheny Shamrock A.C.
Women (Long Course)
Catherina Mc Kiernan Annalee A.C.
Rosemary Ryan Bilboa A.C.
Jolene Byrne Donore Harriers A.C.
Pauline Curley Tullamore Harriers
Fionnuala Britton Sli Culainn A.C.
Niamh O'Sullivan Riocht A.C.
Junior Men
Mark Christie Mullingar Harriers A.C.
Andrew Ledwith Fr Murphy's A.C.
Junior Women * Azmera Gebrezgi Celtic A.C. Linda Byrne
Dundrum South Dublin A.C.
* Subject to Irish Passport / IAAF Clearance
Team Management
Patsy Mc Gonagle Manager
Jim Davis Coach
Teresa Mc Daid Coach
Jean Taylor Physio
www.athleticsireland.ie
Source the Athletics Ireland
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