This coming Sunday sees the Athletics Ireland All-Ireland Inter-counties cross country championships for juniors and seniors take place in the Curragh, Co. Kildare. County Galway will field full teams in both Senior Men's and Women's races.

The men's team selection was based largely on the recent Co. Senior Championships, with the top 6 athletes across the line on that day automatically selected. National 10,000m champion Gary Thornton will be expected to lead the Galway challenge, with former national 10km and short course cross country champion Paul McNamara in support.

The team has been weakened somewhat by the unavailability of recently crowned National Marathon champion Michael O'Connor, former National 10km and Half Marathon champion Gerry Ryan, and the up and coming Jason Broderick. However, due to the impressive strength in depth in the county at the moment Galway will still field a strong team capable of challenging for honours.

The team has representation from five Galway clubs. The full team is ...

Paul McNamara (Athenry AC)

Martin Corcoran (Craughwell AC)

Feargal Geraghty (GCH)

Tommy Joe Whyte (Tuam)

Brian O’Connor (Athenry)

Mick Rice (Athenry)

Brian Bruton (Athenry)

Peter Delmer (Athenry)

Gary Thornton (GCH)

Ruaidhri Geraghty (GCH)

Ian Egan (GCH)

Erno Kis Kiraly (Craughwell)

Dara O’Brien (Loughrea)

The Ladies team has a novel feel to it with several newcomers to the sport leading the charge. Ann Carter of Athenry AC, recently crowned Galway senior cross country champion, will lead the team, with the reigning national U23 5000m champion Orla Ni Muircheartaigh hoping to make an impact after a strong summer. Kathryn Casserly, Regina Casey and Fionnuala Keane are all unavailable, but the strong team selection reflects the rising fortunes of distance running in the west. The full team is as follows ...

Ann Carter (Athenry AC)

Ann Burke (Ballinasloe & District)

Orla Ni Mhuircheartaigh (GCH)

Caroline Clancy (Loughrea)

Bernie Kelly (GCH)

Eve Daly (GCH)

Deirdre Brophy (GCH)

Seamus Gilhooley of Athenry AC, reigning Galway junior cross country champion, will be the lone representative in the Junior Mens race.

The timetable for the day is as follows ...

12 noon - Juveniles races start with the U.12's.

1pm-Senior Women 8k

1:35pm-Junior Women 4k

2pm-Junior Men 6k

2:30pm-Senior Men 10k