Leevale AC Trio Michelle Finn, Rhona Pierce and Mark Hanrahan on Euro XC 2014 Team

Following stupendous runs at last Sunday's AAI National Intercounty Cross Country Championships in Dundalk, Michelle Finn, Rhona Pierce and Mark Hanrahan have been selected on the Irish Teams for next month's European Cross Country Championships, in Samokov, Bulgaria on December 14th.   There is a further Leevale connection to the team, as Laura Crowe (An Riocht AC) and Orna Murray (UCC/Ferrybank AC) are both coached by Donie Walsh.

The Irish team will face a challenging course in Samokov, set on the mountain resort of Borovets it will be undulating and at a slight attitude of 1350m with conditions likely be dry but freezing. The team will travel to the championships on Friday the 12th of December.

Double European Cross Country Champion Fionnuala Britton, (Kilcoole AC) will lead the Irish Team of 33 at the 21st SPAR European Cross Country Championships which takes place in Samokov, Bulgaria December 14th.

Athletic Ireland's Press Release

Men's Team

Name Club Coach
Paul Pollock Annadale Striders A.C. Andy Hobdell
Mark Hanrahan Leevale A.C Martin McCarthy
Mick Clohisey Raheny Shamrock A.C. Dick Hooper
Kevin Maunsell Clonmel A.C Kevin Maunsell Sr
Breadan O’Neill DSD AC Chris Jones
Kevin Batt DSD AC Damon Martin

Senior Women's Team

Name Club Coach
Fionnuala Britton Kilcoole A.C. Chris Jones
Michelle Finn Leevale AC  
Laura Crowe An Riocht Donie Walsh
Sara Treacy Dunboyne AC. Bud Baldaro
Siobhan O'Doherty Borriskane AC  
Ann Marie McGlynn Letterkenny A.C. Teresa McDaid

Men Under 23

Name Club Coach
Liam Brady Tullamore Harriers Robert Denmead
Brandon Hargreaves Clonliffe Harriers  
Ryan McDermott Annadale Striders A.C. Mark Kirk
Kevin Dooney Raheny Shamrock A.C. Paul Harkins
Dara Chesser Ennis Track  

Women Under 23

Name Club Coach
Mary Mulhare Portlaoise A.C. Joe Warne
Maria O'Sullivan Raheny Shamrock A.C. Paul Brady
Rachael Smyth St. Coca's AC Robert Denmead
Orna Murray UCC/Ferrybank Donie Walsh
Shona Heaslip An Riocht AC  
Ellie Hartnett UCD James Nolan

Junior Men

Name Club Coach
Kevin Mulcaire Ennis track A.C. Pat Hogan
Con Doherty. UCD A.C. Jerry Kilroy
Jack O’Leary Mullingar Harriers Joe Ryan
Rick Nally DSD AC  
David Harper. Sligo Dermot McDermott
Brendan O’Connor An Riocht Martin Tarsey

Junior Women

Name Club Coach
Hope Saunders Clonliffe Harriers  
Orlaith Moynihan Clonmel A.C Anthony Moynihan
Clodagh O'Reilly Annalee A.C. Denis Noonan
Rhona Pierce Leevale AC Ray Shanahan

Team Management

Team Management  
Position Name
Head of Delegation Kevin Ankrom
Team Leader Chris Jones
Team Support/Logistics Gillian Brosnan
Team Physio Ciara McCallion
Team Soft Tissue Therapist Declan Monaghan
Men’s Captain To be announced, December 2nd 
Women’s Captain To be announced, December 2nd
Team Support U23 Men Paul McNamara
Team Support U23 Women Geraldine Nolan
Team Support Junior Men Joe Ryan
Team Support Junior Women Steven Macklin
Media Support Kenneth Kiernan