Seamus Power is set to make a winning return when he defends his title in the Killarney 5k road race this evening.

The Clare man, the dominant force in Irish cross-country running for the last decade, has not run since winning the national inter-club title in Roscommon in February.

"I am ready to race again," he said yesterday as he recalled last year's thriller with Noel Berkeley in Killarney.

"This race will tell me exactly where I am at, as Noel Berkeley will be there again and he always turns in a big performance."

Power will defend his title in the Adidas Irish Runner Challenge five-miler in Phoenix Park on Sunday, in a 2,000-strong field that will also include last year's women's winner, Catherina McKiernan.

News Source: Irish Examiner