Athletics:Cross-country team manager, Anne Keenan-Buckley, is confident that Ireland can get amongst the medals at this weekend's European Championships in Belgium.
Six teams will take part across senior, Under-23 and junior levels and Keenan-Buckley is upbeat about their chances on Sunday.
"The team we're bringing to Brussels is one of both talent and experience right across the board. We are especially strong in the senior men's team.
"I think if things go right for them on the day, they could put our first medal since Malmo eight years ago," said Keenan-Buckley.
Much of that confidence stems from the return to international competition of Mark Carroll, who hasn't represented his country in a major event for over 18 months.
Martin Fagan has been in electric form since his return from Beijing, winning the Manchester Connecticut Road Race and also being named European Athlete of the month award for October.
Alan McCormack heads up the men's team that also includes Mark Christie, Gary Murray and Andrew Ledwith, who took third spot at the recent NCAA's in Indiana.
The women's squad has been hit by the withdrawal of Fionnuala Britton, who has failed to recover from a foot injury. Aoife Byrne has also had to drop out, with Rosemary Ryan and Kerry Harty coming in.
"It was a bit disappointing to lose Fionnuala, we have a very talented group for the senior women but we're not blessed with great depth. To win a medal, we need Fionnuala and Mary (Cullen) running together," added Keenan-Buckley, who is particularly impressed with the present crop of Under-23 and junior runners.
"Our underage teams are very strong, possibly the strongest we've had since I've been in charge," she admitted
"Linda Byrne in the Under-23 is looking great and coming into it in good form. Ciara Mageean and the Ffrench-O'Carrolls have the potential to do very well for the junior women while David McCarthy has had another phenomenal year in the States and could come away with an individual medal."
Men's Senior:Alan McCormack, Martin Fagan, Andrew Ledwith, Mark Christie, Mark Carroll, Gary Murray.
Women's Senior:Mary Cullen, Deirdre Byrne, Ava Hutchinson, Rosemary Ryan, Hazel Murphy, Kerry Harty.
Men's U23:David McCarthy, Richie Yeates, Mick Clohisey, Paul Pollock, John Coghlan, Jason Fahy.
Women's U23:Linda Byrne, Holly Knight, Ciara Durkan, Eimear O'Brien, Aisling Baker, Rose-Anne Galligan.
Junior Men:Craig Murphy, Michael Mulhare, David Flynn, Shane Quinn, Patrick Flynn, Ian Ward
Junior Women:Sara Treacy, Charlotte Ffrench O'Carroll, Rebecca Ffrench O'Carroll, Ciara Mageean, Lorraine McCarthy, Tara Jameson.