Louth test of form

ATHLETICS/Ras na hEireann: Almost all the Irish contenders for the coming World Cross Country Championships in Dublin will be racing in Dunleer this Sunday in the 33rd edition of the Rás na hÉireann.

With the Leopardstown event now just 10 weeks away, this year's race takes on extra significance as a test of mid-season form.

The worrying crash by the men's team at last month's European Championships in Switzerland left many of the leading names low in confidence, which is one reason why the likes of Seamus Power and Peter Mathews won't be holding anything back. Power will return to defend his title, but local runner Keith Kelly, the former American collegiate champion, is ruled out because of injury.

The African presence has been kept to the minimum - Ethiopia's Alemu Dagne is the only name - and that will be further incentive for the Irish. The race organisers have also confirmed the entry of the top trio of English runners - Karl Keska, Sam Haughian and Ben Noad.

Along with Mathews, the home challenge will come from Dublin's Vinny Mulvey, and Fiachra Lombard and Martin McCarthy of Cork.

The women's race is set up for an intriguing head-to-head between Anne Keenan-Buckley and Rosemary Ryan. Despite turning 40 last Monday, Keenan-Buckley is still proving herself the woman to beat on the domestic front. But Ryan is also approaching her best form. American champion Priscella Hein will provide the main international element.

The Rás na hÉireann is also the second of six races in the AAI Grand Prix cross country series, which has an overall prize fund of €7,000 (£5,500). Next up is the IAAF Challenge in Stormont Estate, Belfast, on Saturday week.

Eight cities have entered the reopened bidding for the 2005 World Championships after Britain's withdrawal was officially confirmed. Brussels, Budapest, Helsinki, Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Rome and Moscow have all sent letters of intent to the IAAF expressing an interest in staging the event.