Sonia's return eagerly awaited in Cork

Any time Sonia O'Sullivan competes in her native Cork it's a homecoming, but after a four-year absence her appearance in this afternoon's Cork City Sports will be especially welcomed. On recent form, too, a winning return is almost certain.

The timing is also notable in that O'Sullivan's last appearance in 1998 was part of her build-up to the European Championships in Budapest, where she would collect double gold over 5,000 and 10,000 metres. She's now building towards a similar double attempt in Munich in a month, and in a similarly determined mood.

The scene is now set for a memorable 51st staging of the sports at the newly opened and vastly improved UCC Sports Complex at The Mardyke.

With a budget of around €150,000 the meeting organisers have assembled some quality athletes for the 19 events, which start at 2.0 p.m. and conclude three hours later with the women's 1,500 metres.

The main event, though, is set for 4.20 when O'Sullivan lines up for the 3,000 metres.

Even with the presence of the experienced American Amy Rudolph, and an Ethiopian, in Mestewat Tuffa, there is little to suggest O'Sullivan won't be putting on a solo display. If anything it may be her Irish rivals, Breda Dennehy-Willis and Ann Keenan-Buckley, who'll provide the greatest test.

O'Sullivan, though, is more likely to have her eye on the clock, and the meeting record of eight minutes 40.30 seconds she set in 1996. Her winning time

of 8.44.02 in Sheffield last weekend suggests it's possible, but much will depend on the weather.

Cork's other cherished athlete, Mark Carroll, goes in the 5,000 metres, where a more international field will make a home victory a little more

difficult with Daniel Gachara the likely favourite.

Elsewhere, there is ample opportunity for further Irish success. Karen Shinkins is also on a sort of homecoming tour after her success indoors in winning European bronze over 400 metres, and she, too, is building nicely towards the Munich championships. Australia's Susan Andrews and Christine Amertil may draw a season's best out of the Newbridge athlete.

James Nolan drops down to the 800 metres where, again, the African presence is likely to dominate.

And though it may not have been scheduled, the final event is perhaps most certain to provide an Irish victory for Geraldine Hendricken. After her breakthrough run of 4.05.72 in Lausanne earlier this week, the Carlow athlete is suddenly the clear favourite to take the 1,500 metres, and even with some capable opposition, including five Americans, there looks to be only one winner.