Seamus Power knows that winning a seventh successive National Inter-Counties cross-country title in Dungarvan tomorrow will require a performance close to his peak. Though the Clare runner continues to dominate domestic cross-country competition, the depth of opposition this year will guarantee the sternest of tests.
The wider target for Power, like his opponents, will be next month's European Championships in Thun, Switzerland. The first five finishers in Dungarvan are assured selection for that event on December 9th, with the remaining place set to go to US-based Keith Kelly.
"It's a tough challenge," Power says, "going for a seventh title in a row. But the form is coming good and I think I'm up to it."
Most likely to upset Power's hopes is Dundrum's Peter Mathews, his frequent training partner when in Dublin.
Belfast's Gareth Turnbull, the silver medallist over 1,500 metres at this summers' World Student Games in Beijing, is another looking to get on the team for Switzerland.
Cork's Martin McCarthy is fast returning to top form and he is also a top contender. Vinnie Mulvey of Raheny was the surprise emergence of last season and he too has been targeting this event.
One of the more eagerly awaited appearances is that of the Lombard brothers Fiachra and Cathal from Cork. They have recently returned from two months altitude training in Kenya and Fiachra in particular has the ability to pull off a victory.
In the women's race Rosemary Ryan of Limerick is back to defend her title but the veteran Anne Keenan-Buckley continues to defy her age and may upset her younger opponents.
