The fruits of the merger which brought the Athletic Association of Ireland into being in November will be manifested in the first big cross country race of the year at Oldcastle next Sunday week.

Traditionally, Ras Sean Caislean was one of the bigger events in the NACA's sporting and cultural week, forming the basis for selection for the CSIT international games.

Now, for the first time, those athletes formerly attached to BLE will have the opportunity to qualify for the big CSIT event through the Oldcastle race. Outlining details of the Oldcastle programme, race director Michael Heery said that it illustrated the new opportunities of competition opening up to athletes around the country.

In addition to the men's senior race over 8,000 metres, a 4,000 metres women's event will be staged as part of a comprehensive programme designed to cater for all categories of athletes.