Catherina McKiernan, confirmed yesterday as a starter for the London Marathon in April, has been named ahead of Sonia O'Sullivan in the world rankings for 1999, published by US Track and Field News.

McKiernan is ranked number seven, four places ahead of O'Sullivan with the world record holder for the marathon, Tegla Loroupe of Kenya, back in 17th place.

The rankings, compiled by 40 international journalists, are regarded as the authentic barometer of the sport, with significant clout in contractual arrangements for athletes.

It is the first time the Cavan athlete has figured in the list and reflects an outstanding year in her new career as a marathon runner. Commenting on her progress, the magazine said: "Ireland's Catherina McKiernan made the marathon's fastest debut in 1997 and followed up this year with a pair of sterling 26 milers to move to number five on the all time list."

O'Sullivan will feel aggrieved that after a year in which she won two world cross country titles and then completed a 5,000 and 10,000 metres double in the European championships at Budapest, she still ranks no higher than 11th. In terms of championship performances nobody did better but consistency throughout the year appears to have been the main criterion for the selectors.

In that context Marion Jones, the American sprinter, was the top choice of all 40 journalists, with the Romanian Gabriela Szabo soundly beaten by O'Sullivan at Budapest, at number five in the ratings. The top 11, as named by the magazine, are: 1, Marion Jones (US); 2, Maria Mutola (Mazambique); 3, Svetlana Masterkova (Russia); 4, Glory Alozie (Nigeria); 5, Gabriel Szabo (Romania); 6, Mihaela Melinte (Romania); 7, Catherina McKiernan (Ireland); 8, Vita Pavlysh (Ukraine); 9, Monica Jagar (Romania); 10, Christine Arron (France); 11, Sonia O'Sullivan (Ireland).

In opting to defend her title in the Flora London marathon on April 18th, McKiernan rejected equally tempting offers to put her expanding reputation on the line at either Rotterdam or Boston.

Rotterdam, regarded as the fastest of all the courses for big international marathons, was the venue for Loroupe's world record earlier in the year and it was felt by some that the Irish athlete would go there in preference to London.

In the event she has chosen to return to England where, absorbed for much of the race in a tactical duel with Liz McColgan last April, she ran the slowest of her three marathons to date. Now, suitably reassured by her run in Amsterdam, she is likely to put the emphasis on returning a fast time rather than worrying unduly about the opposition.

"Obviously, it's an advantage to have run the course before and this was one of the big reasons why I chose London," she said. "The entry will be strong and that is all the motivation I need to run well."

She will have her next race in Durham on January 2nd before returning to Dunleer a fortnight later. As yet she is still undecided about the location for a planned race in March, her last competitive run before London.