Smith in busy tune-up

Susan Smith will wind down her preparations for the European Championships in just over a week's time by competing in four events at the National Track and Field League finals in Tullamore tomorrow.

As well as her speciality, the 400 metre hurdles, the Waterford athlete runs in the 100m hurdles and both the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events. Eight of the top men's and women's clubs in the country will compete for the National Club titles in both Division One and Two.

Smith's final race will be over 400m hurdles at the Zurich Grand Prix on Wednesday which has been billed as a serious attack on the world record, held by American Kim Batten with a time of 52.61 seconds.

Meanwhile, more than 100 of the country's top triathletes compete at the National Championships at Cushendun, Co Antrim, this afternoon. Defending champion John Madden is favourite to retain the title although last year's runners-up, Eoin O'Connell and Trevor Woods, will make it a highly competitive affair.

The three-part race begins at 2 p.m. with the 1.5km swim followed by the 40km cycle and 10km run. Ann Paul, ranked among the top-five in Europe, is expected to retain the women's title.