Sweeney and Hutchinson claim National Cross Country titles

Sun, 25 Nov, 2012 - 19:33

Dundrum South Dublin pair Joe Sweeney and Ava Hutchinson claimed the titles at today’s Woodies DIY National Cross Country Championships in Ratoath Co.Meath.

As national champions both Sweeney and Hutchinson qualify atomically for the European Cross Country championships which take place in Budapest on December 9.

Second place athletes Cork Lizzie Lee and Micheal Mulhare of North Laois also booked their place on the flight to Budapest.

The ladies race was a battle through out in the tough muddy Meath terrain. London 2012 Marathoner Hutchinson battled Cork’s Lizzie Lee.

Lee took the lead with just over 1 kilometre to go, but the Olympian battled back to match Lee and claim victory over with a sprint to the line in the last 200 meters.

With news that Fionnuala Britton was third in a international race in Northern France, Hutchinson believes that Ireland could take team medal’s in Budapest next month.

“Maybe she’ll be double European champ!” said Hutchinson after the race.

“I didn’t think it would be as muddy here, I didn’t like that and I’ve been told that Budapest will be dry and cold.” The new Irish cross country champion said afterward.

Dublin’s Sarah McCormack and Louth’s Fiona Roche played out a six kilometre battle for the bronze medal.

Similar to the race for gold it was McCormack’s strength in the Meath mud, which brought her home for bronze and claim a shout on the Irish team.

Joe Sweeney who placed 5th in the European championships last December was a convincing winner of the men’s race.

North Loais’s Micheal Mulhare took the race out early, but succumbed to the fast moving Sweeney in the second lap.

Sweeney convincingly took the tape some 40 seconds clear of Mulhare in second place. “I’m on a different level of trajectory with my training compared to this time last year” said Sweeney, as he played down the chances of replicating his 2011 finish.

Clare man Sean Hehir was an impressive third and made a great claim for a place on the team Ireland flight to Budapest. Hehir who clocked 2 hours 17 minutes in last month’s Dublin Marathon, settled into third place on the second lap and claimed bronze battling throughout.

In the junior races Armagh’s Stephen Kerr out paced Dublins’ Ian Guiden to the line. Kerr who is on scholarship in McNeese university claimed his first Irish cross country title and a place on the plane to Budapest.

Rising star Sriofa Ceiringh Butter from Dundrum South Dublin was a clear winner in the junior ladies race and will make her second appearance at European cross country level.

A nervous wait for the Irish athletes tonight as Athletics Ireland will announce the Irish team tomorrow morning.

Results

Senior Men.

1. Joe Sweeney – Dublin

2. Micheal Mulhare - Laois

3. Sean Hehir – Clare

Senior Womens

1. Ava Hutchinson - Dublin

2. Lizzie Lee - Cork

3. Sarah McCormack - Dublin

Under 23 Men

1. Chris Johnston - Donegal