The Belgian city of Hannut is gearing up for its World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting on Sunday (January 22nd), where a strong Irish team of 24 athletes will take the opportunity to gain experience of Belgium cross country conditions ahead of next year’s European Cross Country Championships which take place in Brussels on December 10th 2023.
The Irish team will face strong European opposition this weekend, including an international team from England alongside a quality domestic field.
Ireland have enjoyed remarkable medal-winning-consistency at European Cross Country Championships in recent years, securing 12 medals over the last 3 editions, and are now looking to further build on those successes.
Speaking at the team announcement, Matt Lockett, Athletics Ireland National Endurance Coordinator, said: “We have had unprecedented Irish success over the past 3 editions of the European Cross Country Championships and we are eager to build on those performances. Providing an opportunity for athletes to extend their cross-country season beyond Christmas against high-class opposition will further aid development in advance of Brussels next December.”
Selections:
Athlete | Club | Coach Name | Age group |
Anna Gardiner | East Down AC | Peter Morgan | u20 |
Avril Millerick | Youghal AC | Noel Curtin | u20 |
Claragh Keane | DMP AC | Bashir Hussain | u20 |
Louise O'Mahony | B.M.O.H AC | Donnacha O'Mahony | u20 |
Róise Roberts | North Belfast Harriers | Jim Mc Guinness and Joe Ryan | u20 |
Daniel Ryan Ellis | Nenagh Olympic AC | Sean Finn | u20 |
Frank McGrath | Lagan Valley AC | Patrick McGrath | u20 |
Jonas Stafford | Ashford AC | Feidhlim Kelly | u20 |
Luke Purcell | Nenagh Olympic | Sean Finn | u20 |
Niall Murphy | Ennis Track | Pat Hogan | u20 |
Hannah Gilliland | Annadale Striders | Paul Lawther | u23 |
Lucy Holmes | West Waterford AC | Ian O'Sullivan | u23 |
Conall McClean | St Malachy's AC | Mark Kirk | u23 |
Liam Mulligan | Drogheda and District A.C | Ian O’Reilly | u23 |
Paul Hartnett | East Cork AC | Liam O'Brien | u23 |
William Fitzgerald | Craughwell A.C | Mark Davis | u23 |
Fiona Everard | Bandon AC | Matt Lockett | Senior |
Fiona McKenna | UCD AC | Emmett Dunleavy | Senior |
Fionnuala Ross | Armagh AC | Senior | |
Lauren Tinkler | Dublin City Harriers | Enda Fitzpatrick | Senior |
Andrew Milligan | North Belfast Harriers | Jim McGuinness | Senior |
Emmet Jennings | Dundrum South Dublin AC | Donal Hennigan | Senior |
Finn McNally | North Belfast Harriers | Daniel Stepney | Senior |
Jamie Battle | Mullingar AC | Joe Ryan | Senior |
Staff
- Matt Lockett (Performance lead/Team Support Coach)
- Fintan Reilly (Team manager/Team Support Coach)
- Ciara McCallion (Physio)
- Niamh O'Sulivan (Team support coach
World Athletics Cross Country Tour Information: https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-cross-country-tour
