Ireland’s women secured a superb silver medal at the European 10,000m Cup in La Spezia, Italy this evening, delivering an excellent team performance in extremely hot conditions at the Centro Sportivo Alessandro Montagna Stadium.
The Irish women’s scoring team members of Niamh Allen (Leevale Ac), Fiona Everard (Bandon AC), and Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (West Limerick AC) combined brilliantly in the Final (A) to finish second overall behind hosts Italy, claiming only Ireland’s second-ever medal in the history of the event – following hot on the heels of Efrem Gidey’s historic individual gold medal last year.
Women’s Team Standings
- Italy – 1:37:24.57
- Ireland – 1:38:16.07
- Spain – 1:38:42.07
Leading the Irish charge was Leevale AC’s Niamh Allen, who produced another outstanding international performance to finish sixth in 32:15.79, securing the European Championships B standard in the process to continue her excellent run of international form.
Bandon AC athlete Fiona Everard continued her impressive season with a personal best of 32:41.28 to place tenth. Everard has enjoyed a superb six months of racing, including a top-10 finish at the European Cross Country Championships, a top-25 finish at the World Cross Country Championships, and a recent 31:58 PB victory in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, France.
Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill of West Limerick AC marked her senior international debut in style, finishing 20th in the A race with a season’s best performance of 33:19.00.
Strong performances in Final B from Faye Dervan 8th (Dublin City Harriers) 34:32.84 PB, Emily Haggard-Kearney 12th (North Belfast Harriers) 34:39.91 SB, and Patricia Jackman 13th (Waterford AC) 34:40.54 SB added further depth to an excellent overall team display.
In the men’s competition, Oisín O’Gailín (Finn Valley AC) returned to the venue where he clocked his personal best last year and ran a consistent 29:17.30 in Final A. Jamie Battle (Mullingar Harriers) impressed on his senior international debut, finishing 12th in the B race in 30:11.63.
Unfortunately, both Callum Morgan (Candour Track Club) and Michael Murphy (Tullamore Harriers) were forced to withdraw from their respective races.
Team Ireland Results Summary
Women – Final A
5th Niamh Allen (Leevale AC) – 32:15.79 SB
9th Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) – 32:41.28 PB
20th Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (West Limerick AC) – 33:19.00 SB
Women – Final B
8th Faye Dervan (Dublin City Harriers) – 34:32.84 PB
12th Emily Haggard-Kearney (North Belfast Harriers) – 34:39.91 SB
13th Patricia Jackman (Waterford AC) – 34:40.54 SB
Men – Final A
22nd Oisín O’Gailín (Finn Valley AC) – 29:17.30
Callum Morgan (Candour Track Club) – DNF
Men – Final B
12th Jamie Battle (Mullingar Harriers) – 30:11.63
Michael Murphy (Tullamore Harriers) – DNF
10,000m Cup Results
