special to Irish Runner.com - Eoghan Young-Murphy

With just a week to go before one of the marquee events of the domestic cross-country season - the National Inter-County Championships in Sligo - the vast majority of our elite athletes will this weekend enjoy a brief hiatus from their recent burdensome racing schedules, presenting us with an opportunity to reflect on an encouraging beginning to the season.

The impressive form displayed by Gary Murray and Robert Connolly has heightened significantly the prospect of Ireland winning a team medal in the European Cross-Country in December. The return to form of reigning World Indoor 3,000m Champion Alistair Cragg, whose track season was totaled by a back injury, as well as Martin Fagan's sparkling form in the US, gives further cause for optimism.

Its five years since Ireland won a team medal at the Championship; a team comprised of Peter Mathews, Seamus Power, Keith Kelly and Gareth Turnbull took bronze in 2000. Each year since then hopes have been high that further success would come our way but the unavailability of our front-liners, most frequently through injury, has ensured the past few years have been barren.

It is not yet clear but doubtful whether Mark Carroll will compete but, should he, it seems almost certain that a team medal is in the offing. Throw into the equation the current pool of talented young juniors at our disposal and the prospect is rife of this year's championships being the most successful ever.

The still keenly-felt retirement of Catherina McKiernan and the confirmation from Sonia O'Sullivan that the event is not in her plans means the women's scene contrasts starkly. Jolene Byrne and Maria McCambridge are seasoned internationals but, even with the ever-improving Mary Cullen in the backbone, a top six placing seems the best we could expect.

Sadly, it appears unlikely the National Inter-County Championships will not be graced by many of this crop.

Epic duels will be fought out between Connolly and Murray, and Byrne and McCambridge, but the word on the grapevine is that Martin Fagan, along with Cragg, will be pre-selected for the Europeans and forgo the event. Mary Cullen, I understand, has also been granted such liberty.

All in all, though, there's much to be positive about at this juncture on the season. But Irish sporting fans only recognize medals; our athletes' ability to deliver them in December will be the litmus test of their eminence.