THERE was no golden lining under the burning South African sun for Catherina McKiernan when the World Cross Country Championships were staged in the Danie Craven Stadium Stellenbosch on Saturday. The Irish woman was forced to settle for 13th place in a race won by Gete Wami of Ethiopia.

McKiernan, who returns to Ireland today, could not be faulted for her bravery. But, sadly, against the might of the world's best bravery was never going to be enough in a race which saw those born at high altitudes emerge best. The two women's races were won by Ethiopians, and Kenya maintained their stranglehold on the men's events, with all four team awards remaining with them.

As many feared, the loss of several month's crucial training proved too much of a handicap for McKiernan, who was never able to, match strides with the leaders over the opening kilometres. A head cold which she caught during her stay in the southern hemisphere did not help matters, but the Cavan woman was not offering that as a reason for her failure to capture the elusive, title. Indeed she felt that she gave 100 per cent.

Mckiernan suffered, as did most, in conditions which were unseasonable and unsuitable for cross country running, with temperatures hovering around the 30 degree mark.

The race itself was not without its moments of drama. Defending champion Derartu Tulu lost her left shoe while coming into contact with the Kenyan pair of Sally Barsosio and Naomi Mugo with less than two kilometres of the 6,000 metres covered. On the rock hard surface spikes were essential, and while Tulu lost over 100 metres when stopping to put the shoe on, she did some exceptionally hard running over the final 1,000 metres to get up to share fourth place with the home heroine Cotleen De Reuck.

While Tulu was out of the frame the Kenyan pair of Rose Cheruiyot and Mugo, in company with Wami, de Reuck and Fernarda Ribeiro, were contesting the lead, and Julia Vaquero later joined them.

Home hopes rose when de Reuck charged into the lead on the final lap, but her moment of glory was short-lived as Mugo and, Wami moved up a gear. Wami went on to, take her first major title, while Cheruiyot overtook Mugo to take silver.

But if McKiernan was slightly disappointed, there was much to cheer about in the performance of Marie McMahon, who finished 23rd. This was the Clare woman's first outing in this event and she will surely have gained much from this, which will stand her in good stead when she competes in Atlanta. The Irish women's team finished 10th overall and was the fifth-placed European team.

Ireland's senior men's squad, the youngest and most talented for some time, journeyed with high hopes of getting into the top 10.

However, Cormac Finnerty, John Downes and David Burke all dropped out. Given the conditions, a steady start was wisely advocated and it appeared to be paying dividends for the Irish as they moved through the field.

Midway through the race, which was run at a fierce pace, John Downes abandoned. He was later placed on a drip. Shortly afterwards Burke, too, had enough. Meanwhile, Finnerty had worked his way through the field, but within 300 metres of the finish he collapsed and he, too, was later placed on a drip, as were most of the 20 athletes, who failed to finish.

Happily, all three Irishmen fully, recovered, and were actually outs jogging yesterday.

Noel Cullen was the first Irishman home, in 107th place, with Seamus Power in 161st. "I am disappointed that we did not get a team result," team manager Michael Quinlan said afterwards.