The impressive performances by Ireland's Junior cross-country team at the Lotto Crosscup van Vlaanderen meeting in Ghent, Belgium on 7th November has generated a wave of optimism, many claiming that they are a shoo-in to win medals at the European championships in Heringsdorf, Germany on 12th December.

An Irish Junior team has not ascended the podium in the European Cross-Country event since 1999, when a team led by Gary Murray brought home bronze.

While the current squad may well replicate that performance, it should be noted there was no depth in the international in Belgium. In fact the National Inter-Counties in Dungarvan at the end of this month are likely to prove a sterner test.

Athletics Ireland has revealed that the first three across the line in Dungarvan will receive automatic selection for the Europeans, while another three will be added at the selectors' discretion.

The team is likely to be spearheaded by Mark Christie, who finished sixth at the same event last year. He will be hoping to at least match that performance this year, though his form in major championships has vacillated greatly.

He etched his name in the record books this past summer, setting a new National Junior 3km record of 8:04.48, but then ran as if anaesthetised at the World Junior championships.

Danny Darcy has made a quantum improvement over the past year, since coming under the auspices of Jim Davis. He broke the 3:50 barrier for the metric mile on a string of occasions and, when finishing just a few strides behind Christie in Belgium, he showed that his ability is not confined to the mud.

This European event is indisputably far less prestigious than the world equivalent, held in March. In recent years no junior teams have been sent to the world event, but it remains to be seen whether Athletics Ireland believe this team merits the opportunity to face-off with the globe's finest.

If the team is to excel in Germany, the backbone of the team must be strong. Colin Costello, arguably the best track junior in the country, is not renowned for his ability over the mud. Yet he could well make the team: the underfoot conditions in Dungarvan are likely to be firm.

Elsewhere, DSD's Joe Sweeney had a solid track season - he consistently ran in the 8:30 range for 3km - and will be confident of making the team. Andrew Ledwith finished a meritorious 48th at the World Junior event in Brussels last March, but he has failed to show such form over recent months.

It is great to see that a new band of cross-country runners are finally beginning to emerge; the last few years have been barren. There is certain to a ferocious challenge between at least ten athletes in Dungarvan, all of whom would have realistic aspiration of making the team.

In light of the recent Cathal Lombard's recent drug scandal and Mark Carroll's imminent retirement from cross-country and track running, this team could give a much needed boost to Irish distance running.

Complete Results from the Lotto Crosscup van Vlaanderen Website