European Cross-Country Championships 2017

European Cross-Country Championships

Samorin, Slovakia

Sunday December 10th 2017

irish squad samorin 2017
Eight Cork athletes represented Ireland in Samorin today, and all, along with the other twenty members of the squad, acquitted themselves admirably

First into the fray, were the Under 20 Women. Knowles-Jones (UK) won in 13:48. Sophie Murphy was first for Ireland, in 10th place, in 14:15. West Muskerry's Stephanie Cotter was 27th, in 14:35, Jodie McCann, 34th, in 14:43. Bandon AC's Laura Nicholson was 39th, in 14:47, while clubmate Fiona Everard was 62nd, in 15:11. Fian Sweeney 72nd, in 15:22, rounded off the Irish performances. Ireland were 7th of 20 teams, on 71 points

irish under 20 women samorin 2017

In the Under 20 Men, Ingebritsen (Nor) retained his title in 18:39. Fearghal Curtin, Youghal, finished in 22nd, in 19:08, his presence having been evident in the top 20 throughout. Craig McMeechan was next for Ireland, in a joint 4th blanket finish with several runners, on 19:30. James Edgar was next, in 38th, in 19:31, Bantry AC's Darragh McElhinney was just after him, in 39th, 19:32, while Leevale AC's Charlie O'Donovan was a further two places behind, in 41st, in 19:34. Brian Fay finished 49th, in 19:42. Ireland finished in 10th place, on 97pts, from 20 teams.

irish under 20 men samorin 2017

Senior Women

The women’s team finished 7th, led home by Fionnuala McCormack, in 12th place, while Shona Heaslip (An Riocht) was 33rd, with Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle) 37th. Michelle Finn (Leevale AC), 40th, Fionnuala Ross (Armagh) , 47th, and Lizzie Lee (Leevale AC), 49th completed the team.

irish senior women samorin 2017

Athletics Ireland Release - Feidhlim Kelly

Senior Men Head Good Performances at Euro Cross

The Senior Men’s team headed excellent performances by the Irish team at the European Cross Country Championships in Samorin, Slovakia with a fine fifth place finish today, December 10th.

With three to score, Sean Tobin (Clonmel) worked well with Hugh Armstrong (Ballina) and Kevin Maunsell (Clonmel) as they came in 15th, 19th and 24th respectively over the 10km distance.

“It was a great team effort,” said Tobin afterwards with Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders) 48th, Kevin Dooney (Raheny Shamrock) 51st and John Travers (Donore Harriers) 72nd.

It was a tremendous performance by the men, with the three scorers all making their senior debuts – Tobin and Armstrong are 23, with Maunsell an ageless 36. The senior men were only two points off France, in fourth.

irish senior men samorin 2017

Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole) was making a record-breaking 15th appearance at these championships, but she had to settle for a 12th place finish over 8km in the senior women’s race. “Obviously I would have liked to have finished higher but I will be back and hope to get back in the mix. I just couldn’t get into it today at the top even though I gave my best throughout.”

The women’s team finished 7th, with Shona Heaslip (An Riocht) 33rd, and Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle) 37th, rounding out the scorers. Michelle Finn (Leevale), 40th, Fionnuala Ross (Armagh) , 47th, and Lizzie Lee (Leevale), 49th rounded out the team.

The weather was extremely cold, with a wind chill factor to boot, on a fast course that had plenty of twists and turns, along with some man-made obstacles.

There was a very positive start to the day with Sophie Murphy (DSD) finishing 10th in the U20 women’s 4km race, and leading the team to 7th overall from 20 teams. She was followed home by Stephanie Cotter (West Muskerry) in 27th, Jodie McCann (DSD), 34th, Laura Nicholson (Bandon), 39th, Fiona Everard (Bandon), 62nd, and Fian Sweeney (DCH), 72nd.

Up next were the U20 men, over 6km. They were lead home by Fearghal Curtin (Youghal) in 22nd, followed by Craig McMeechan (North Down), 37th, James Edgar (City of Lisburn), 38th, Darragh McElhinney (Bantry), 39th, Charlie O'Donovan (Leevale), 41st and Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock) in 49th.

Bethanie Murray (DSD) was the sole Irish representative in the U23 women’s 6km race. She ran well to finish 38th.

There were two Irish runners in the men’s U23 8km race, with Eoin Strutt (Raheny Shamrock) 49th and Tom O’Keeffe (Kilkenny City Harriers) 60th.

These were very positive results for Ireland with four teams placing in the top ten at these championships and an excellent base to build from with all of the runners performing pretty much to form.

High Performance Director Paul McNamara said: “I’m really pleased with the performances. There were some heroic performances out there starting with Sophie Murphy and then right through to the senior men who were magnificent. We have a strong tradition in cross country and for a country of our size we performed at a very high level.”