McCormack triumphs in sister act; Brady delivers at national cross

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McCormack triumphs in sister act; Brady delivers at national cross

Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole) hailed ‘a great day for the family and the club’ as she routed the field to win the women’s 8,000m race with her sister Una Britton in third at the Irish Life Health National Cross Country Championships in Abbotstown today (November 24).

There was an equally proud and emotional moment for Liam Brady (Tullamore Harriers) as he won the senior men’s 10,000m crown in tough conditions at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus.

McCormack ran away with it early on and turned on the class to win in 28:41 from Mary Mulhare (Portlaoise) in 30:22 and her sister Una Britton in 30:32.

It was a swift u-turn after the finish for McCormack to sprint back down the finishing straight (outside the course) and cheer on Una to a cherished bronze medal – her first senior cross country medal.

Michelle Finn finished fifth to lead Leevale home to defend their team title. Sorcha McAlister (Westport) worked through well to win the U23 race in 31:57.  

In the U20 women’s 4,000m race, Jodie McCann (DCH) was a strong winner in 15:06 from Danielle Donegan (Tullamore Harriers) in 15:29 and Maeve Gallagher (Swinford) in 15:32. Waterford won the team title.   

Sarah Healy (Blackrock) didn’t run in the end with a virus but didn’t take anything away from McCann’s smooth runner. “I’m so happy,” said McCann afterwards who sealed automatic selection for the European Cross Country Championships in Lisbon on December 7th.

The last race of the day was the senior men’s 10,000m and there was a good lead pack for the first half of the race until Liam Brady pulled clear and held off Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock), the first U23 athlete across the line, by five seconds in an exciting final lap. Sean Tobin (Clonmel) finished third in 33:05.

This was Brady’s first national senior title to add to U20 and U23 crowns. “I wanted it, I badly, badly wanted it,” he said emotionally afterwards.  

Brady credited his father, Kevin, for a stirring pre-race speech. “He said ‘I’ll have an ambulance waiting for you at the end,’ said Brady who continued on “thankfully I didn’t need it.” Clonliffe Harriers brought back the senior men’s title to Morton Stadium to break Raheny’s dominance of the last three years.

In the U20 men’s 6,000m race, Darragh McElhinney (UCD) defended his title in 19:36 from Keelan Kilrehill (Moy Valley) and Thomas McStay (Galway City Harriers). Clonliffe Harriers also won the U20 men’s team title.   

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U20 women 4,000m

Jodie McCann (Dublin City Harriers) 15:06, 2. Danielle Donegan (Tullamore Harriers) 15:29, 3. Maeve Gallagher (Swinford) 15:32

Team

Waterford (61), 2. Dundrum South Dublin (119), 3. Dublin City Harriers (142)

Senior 8,000m

1 Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole A.C.) 28:41, 2 Mary Mulhare (Portlaoise A.C.) 30:22, 3 Una Britton (Kilcoole A.C.) 30:32

Team

Leevale (120), 2. North Down (129), 3. Mullingar Harriers (169)

U23 (combined with senior – no team result)

Sorcha McAlister (Westport) 31:57, 2. Claire Fagan (Mullingar Harriers) 32:19, 3. Lauren Dermody (Castlecomer) 33:03

Men

U20 6,000m

Darragh McElhinney (U.C.D. A.C.) 19:36, 2. Keelan Kilrehill Moy Valley A.C) 19:43, 3. Thomas Mc Stay (Galway City Harriers A.C.) 19:54

Team

Clonliffe Harriers (90), 2. Dundrum South Dublin (93), 3. Ennis Track (98)

Senior 10,000m

1 (Liam Brady Tullamore Harriers A.C.) 32:50, 2 Brian Fay (U23) (Raheny Shamrock A.C.) 32:55, 3 Sean Tobin (Clonmel A.C.) 33:05 Clonmel A.C.

Team

Clonliffe Harriers A.C. (52), 2. Dundrum South Dublin A.C. (88),3. Raheny Shamrock A.C. (125)

U23 (combined with senior race - no team result)

1 Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock A.C.) 32:55, 2. Cormac Dalton (Mullingar Harriers A.C.) 33:14, 3 Cathal Doyle (Clonliffe Harriers A.C.) 34:07 

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