special to Irish Runner.com by Eoghan Murphy Clonliffe's Mark Kenneally left a string of internationals trailing in his wake at the Dublin cross-country championships in Santry Park at the weekend, as he strolled to a consummate victory in the men's 10km event.

Having shown highly impressive form over the past few weeks, Kenneally confirmed his status as one of the most promising distance runners in the country with a solo victory.

Despite the presence of established stars Peter Mathews and James Nolan, the only athlete who attempted to go with Kenneally was his team-mate Cian McLoughlin. And though Cian made a good effort, Mark's inexorable running drew him well clear over the latter stages, breasting the tape in 32:27.

It now seems likely that Kenneally will provide a formidable force to Seamus Power at the National Inter-county championships on November 28th. Of course Power's record in that event is legendary: he has won on nine consecutive occasions.

It was surprising to see Peter Mathews so far of the pace; in finishing third, he was over 30 seconds in arrears of Kenneally. Mathews' training has been hampered by injury over the past while and unless he rapidly rediscovers form, he is unlikely to make the team for the European Championships next month.

James Nolan was justifiably pilloried by Jerry Kiernan during the Olympics for under training and not logging up sufficient miles in winter. He seems to have taken some of the sage's advice: he made a rare appearance over the country here and finished a solid fifth.

With four runners in the top ten - Gary O'Hanlon finished fourth and Colm Rooney seventh - Clonliffe emerged as clear winners of the team event. Raheny just edged out Rathfarnham.

Though Olympian James Nolan was unable to record a win, Maria McCambridge, who competed in the 5km in Athens, ascended the top of the podium. However, she had a long battle with Donore's Jolene Byrne. From the gun the two ran as though they were joined by an umbilical cord, inseparable as they were for much of the race.

It was only over the final stages that she managed to stave off her pretender. Perhaps it was the vociferous encouragement of her husband, Gary Crossan that made the vital difference.

Sandra Gowran, best known for adorning the cover of a recent Irish Runner magazine, reached the line over a minute adrift of the elite runners to gain the bronze.

Neither the Senior Men nor Senior Women are likely to excel at the impending European Championships, but the Junior men's team could well win medals. Positions on that team will be hotly contested in Dungarvan.

Joe Sweeney has been in fine fettle at the moment; he won yesterday by almost thirty seconds. Raheny's Richie Yeates had been expected to mount a challenge but that never transpired.

Sweeney, a seasoned cross country runner, had no company after the first lap. While Yeates failed to impress, some of his Raheny teammates registered good runs. In fact Michael Clohissey usurped Yeates over the final lap to claim second, while Mark Kirwan claimed fourth.

Junior women's distance running is very weak in this country and, with Azmera Gebrezgi absent, Linda Byrne could have afforded to take a mid-race hiatus and still claim the title.

Over the past decade or so this event has lost much of its prestige, perhaps a reflection of the dwindling interest in cross-country running in Ireland. But this year's showing suggested that a revival may be in the offing.

And the organisers will be happy that the event went off without a hitch. The same venue will hold the National inter-club championships in early February.

A big effort is being made to revive those championships after last year's disaster in Roscommon: the event lacked atmosphere and spectators were few. A post-race party has been organised and the event has been switched to a Saturday.

It seems as though Athletics Ireland are getting there act together.

Complete Results of the 2004 Dublin Cross Country Championships