Well done to our five D.S.D. athletes, who wore the green vest of Ireland with distinction, at the European Cross Country Championships in Abbotstown, yesterday.
First into action was Emma McEvoy, a relative newcomer to athletics, who will have two more years in this U.20 age group. Emma ran just behind the leading group throughout the race, and finished strongly to cross the line in 24th position.
We had a large representation in the senior men’s race with National Champion, Hiko Tonosa, running a very positive race to finish 13th overall, just shy of his top ten objective. Emmet Jennings and Paul O’Donnell were in the top 30 up to half way and will have gained a lot of experience from their first European Championships, running against the eventual winner Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Olympic 1500m Gold Medallist) and one of the truly greatest competitors of all time ranging from 1500m to 10,000m. Emmet placed 44th with Paul O’Donnell 56th, and with the team just missing out on 3rd place by four points.
Siofra Cleirigh Buttner ran the 3rd leg in the Mixed Relay and put in a mighty effort to hold on to the lead, with the distance and tough terrain proving difficult. Former D.S.D. athlete, now running with U.C.D., Luke McCann ran a very strong leg, with the team just being pipped for 3rd place by Belgium, and with G.B & N.I., 1st and France 2nd.
All of these athletes can now look forward to the Indoor and Outdoor Track Seasons, in a positive frame of mind.
Well done to all!
Comments