Sonia O'Sullivan's coach Alan Storey says the Irishwoman will face tough opposition in Sunday's New York City Marathon.

O'Sullivan is strongly fancied to triumph in her first serious marathon but since arriving in America this week Storey has been quick to play down expectations.

"Some intelligent observers have gone well over the top," said Storey.

"What they seemed to have missed is that defending champion Margaret Okayo has already run two hours 20 minutes this year."

Less competitive

O'Sullivan will also come up against two other outstanding Kenyans in Lornah Kiplagat and Joyce Chepchumba in a race featuring several other top-class marathon runners.

O'Sullivan's only previous marathon experience came in a less competitive event in Dublin and Storey knows the challenge will be a lot tougher this time.

He said: "Let's not beat about the bush. Sonia ran 2:35.42 in Dublin two years ago.

"This race is totally different. It is full of depth and experience and none of them should be underestimated.

Major marathon

"Although she has prepared specifically for this race and should run well, Sonia is going to to have her work cut out."

O'Sullivan is aiming to emulate Paula Radcliffe by becoming the latest track champion to make it big in a major marathon.

The 32-year-old Irishwoman believes running in the 26.2 miles event will boost her build-up to the 2003 World Championships and the Athens Olympics.

"Paula Radcliffe ran some really fast times on the track, and I think a lot of it was the result of the marathon training she'd done," said O'Sullivan.

Irish records

"She added speed to the strength she had built in the marathon training, so I think I can do the same thing as that."

Another Irish athlete hoping for sucess in New York on Sunday is Mark Carroll, a former Wannamaker Mile champion.

Carroll holds Irish records for the 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 metres.

He believes he can some day challenge John Treacy's Irish marathon record. Treacy finished third in New York in 1988.