Several top performances by Irish runners Bright sunshine, a strong wind and an ultra flat course was the scene at Toro Spain for the European cross country championships.
While there were no team or individual medals for the six Irish teams, there were several positive performances that augur well for the future.
Fionnuala Britton
Fionnuala Britton has had an exceptional year with strong performances at the World championships in Osaka and the World cross country championships in Kenya.
She settled well into the lead pack for a long period, but struggled on the last lap and was unable to go with the pace. However she confirmed he status as one of Ireland’s lleading middle distance runners by finishing a very creditable seventh, with Deirdre Byrne also making the top 20 in 18th place.
1 DOMÍNGUEZ, Marta ESP 26:58
2 COULAUD, Julie FRA 27:01
3 MORATÓ, Rosa María ESP 27:04
7 BRITTON, Fionnuala 27:20
18 BYRNE, Deirdre 27:56
43 CURLEY, Pauline 29:42
44 BYRNE, Jolene
5 Ireland 112
Martin Fagan
Martin Fagan interrupted his training for the Houston marathon next month and looked very good as he led the race for about 7k of the 10k race.
His lack of speed work showed on the last lap as his rivals sprinted away from him and he dropped back to 10th. However, he dug deep and managed to get back up to finish an excellent seventh.
1 LEBID, Serhiy UKR 31:47
2 MOHAMED, Mustafa SWE 31:56
3 SILVA, Rui POR 31:58
7 FAGAN, Martin 32:06
26 MURRAY, Gary 32:43
30 MCALISTER, Joe 32:50
42 MULVEY, Vinny 33:23
48 ROONEY, Colm 34:23
51 MCCORMACK, Alan 35:05
7 Ireland 105
Linda Byrne
Linda Byrne was another who had a medal in sight as she ran superbly in the under 23 race. Her sixth place finish made her the highest placed Irish runner at the championships and she plans to improve on that for next year after completing her final year at DCU.
Frances Nic Reamoinn also had an excellent run to finish 20th.
1 BOBOCEL, Ancuta ROM 22:35
2 HERZOG, Adriënne NED 22:37
3 KOWALSKA, Katarzyna POL 22:44
6 BYRNE, Linda 23:04
20 NIC REAMOINN, Frances 23:38
44 GALLIGAN, Rose-Anne 24:27
59 GEBREZGI, Azmera 25:14
62 BAKER, Aisling 25:57
DNF WILLIAMS, Tracey IRL
6 Ireland 129
Andrew Ledwith
Andrew Ledwith did not look out of place amongst the leaders in hte under 23 race. He was well placed throughout but had to settle for 10th. The long US collegiate season no doubt impacted on his Toro performance.
1 KOYUNCU, Kemal TUR 24:31
2 RYBAKOV, Yevgeniy RUS 24:33
3 VERNON, Andy GBR 24:35
10 LEDWITH, Andrew 24:52
22 SWEENEY, Joseph 25:09
30 DENNEHY, Cathal 25:13
46 CHRISTIE, Mark 25:45
53 CLOHISSEY, Mick 25:57
71 DARCY, Danny 27:08
6 Ireland 108
Charlotte Ffrench O’Carroll
Charlotte Ffrench O’Carroll was best of the junior women in 14th place after going out easy from the start and only started passing other runners on the last lap fo an excellent placing in an event that sees her eligible in the junior grade for another two years.
Junior Women
1 TWELL, Stephanie GBR 14:12
2 URBANIK, Danuta POL 14:21
3 PURDUE, Charlotte GBR 14:22
14 FFRENCH-O’CARROLL, Charlotte 14:45
33 FFRENCH-O’CARROLL, Rebecca 15:04
34 TREACY, Sara 15:04
43 BLACK, Eimear 15:16
54 HUET, Suzanne 15:28
59 MCCARTHY, Lorraine 15:32
5 Ireland 124
David McCarthy
David McCarthy was the fifth Irish runner to post a top ten finish. He is another to have come through a tough American collegiate season but he has maintained his form well for a ninth place finish.
Junior Men
1 AMDOUNI, Mourad FRA 20:08
2 CARVALHO, Florian FRA 20:11
3 LASHYN, Dmytro UKR 20:16
9 152 MCCARTHY, David 20:30
31 151 COGHLAN, John 20:59
38 155 ROONEY, David 21:01
58 153 MULHARE, Michael 21:22
76 156 TUOHY, Niall 22:07
85 154 O’NEILL, Brendan 22:59
7 Ireland 136
