European bronze for Irish cross-country runners
Fionnuala McCormack led Ireland’s women’s cross country team to European bronze in Hyeres, France today and just missed out on her own medal.
McCormack, the only female to twice win the European Cross Country Championship, finished in fourth place, the third time she has just missed out on a medal.
Heartbreak turned to joy moments later for the Wicklow woman as Lizzie Lee, Caroline Crowley and Ciara Durkan crossed the line for team bronze behind Great Britain and France.
“I knew at the start that we went out very hard and that no one could keep that pace going” explained McCormack.
“I couldn’t really get going for the first lap or two” explained McCormack who held eighth position for the majority as Sifan Hasan of Netherlands took a gun to tape victory.
“People were shouting at me, there’s a team event and I could see two British runners in front of me, so I just said go for it.”
McCormack closed on the medal in the final lap, before a turn of pace by Karoline Bjerkeli of Norway secured her a podium spot.
Britain’s Kate Avery took silver behind Sifan Hasan with just 13 seconds separating gold for McCormack’s position of fourth.
“I knew we could get a team medal I said it all along” explained McCormack, Ireland finishing with 83 points just five points behind silver medallists, hosts France, Great Britain took gold.
“We all know women’s sport doesn’t get enough press, so it’s up to this team to bring international medal’s home” joked McCormack, Ireland’s third team cross country medal in four years.
“The plan last night was for us all to come through” explained Lizzie Lee, who finished in 13th place overall.
“I have never came through a race in my life, so I knew I had to go out fast” explained Lee, who was ahead of McCormack for the opening stages.
“I was getting worried about that,” smiled Lee, “I saw Fionnuala ahead of me and I got a bit worried, but I just hung on like all marathon runners do.”
“It’s thrilling to see all this team coming through” added Lee fourth scorer on the team that won the European cross country in 2012.
Mick Clohisey was the best of the Irish men coming home in 37th, the men’s championship was won outright by Turkey’s African import Ali Kaya.
There was little success for the Irish team at the underage races, Jack O’Leary the best performer, finishing 23rd in the junior men’s race, O’Leary has two years remaining at this grade.
Senior Men: 37.Mick Clohisey, 45.Paul Pollock, 47.John Coghlan, 52.Sergui Ciobanu, 58.Joe Sweeney, 65.Ryan Creech. Team 11th
Senior Women: 4. Fionnuala McCormack, 13.Lizzie Lee, 23.Caroline Crowley, 43.Ciara Durkan, 54. Michelle Finn, 55.Kerry O'Flaherty, Team Third
Under 23 Men: 31.Brandon Hargreaves, 39.Sean Tobin, 43.Keith Fallon, 48.Hugh Armstrong, 50.Thomas Moran, 59.Aaron Hanlon, Team Seventh
Under 23 Women: 33.Shona Heaslip, 36.Emma Mitchell
Junior Men: 23. Jack O’ Leary, 25.Kevin Mulcaire, 52.Peter Lynch, 65.Pierre Murchan, 70. James Edgar, 75.Cathal Doyle, Team Eighth
Junior Women: 54. Sophie Murphy, 55.Emma O’Brien, 59.Nadia Power, 60.Aoibhe Richardson, 67.Deirdre Healy, Team 11th
