McCORMACK FORCED TO SETTLE FOR 12th

ON the day she made a record 15th championship appearance in the European Cross-Country Championships, Fionnuala McCormack was unable to produce one of her glory runs from old in Samorin, Slovakia yesterday. Ireland’s best chance of a medal could only manage 12th place in a tough field and in cold conditions, with Kenyan-born Turkish athlete Yasemin Can winning convincingly. McCormack (left) finished one minute behind the winner in a time of 27:48. McCormack had not finished outside the top six since 2011, and during that time had twice claimed the title. ‘I would have liked to have finished higher but I will be back and hope to get back in the mix,’ McCormack explained. With Shona Heaslip in 34th place, Kerry O’Flaherty four places further back in 38th, Michelle Finn 40th, Fionnuala Ross in 47th and Lizzie Lee finishing in 49th place in a time of 28:56, it meant the women’s team finished seventh overall, with Great Britain taking first ahead of Romania and Turkey. The men’s team did better, putting in a strong showing to finish fifth overall, behind winners Turkey, Spain, Great Britain and France. With three to score, Sean Tobin (Clonmel) worked well with Hugh Armstrong (Ballina) and Kevin Maunsell (Clonmel) as they came in 15th, 19th and 24th over the 10km distance. ‘It was a great team effort,’ Tobin stated, with Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders) 48th, Kevin Dooney (Raheny Shamrock) 51st and John Travers (Donore Harriers) 72nd. Tobin’s time of 30:43 was just over a minute behind race winner Kaan Kigen Ozbilen of Turkey. Turkey won the team event ahead of Spain and Great Britain. Sophie Murphy (DSD) finished 10th in the U20 women’s 4km race and led the team to 7th overall being helped by Stephanie Cotter (West Muskerry) in 27th, Jodie McCann (DSD) in 34th, Laura Nicholson (Bandon) in 39th, Fiona Everard (Bandon) in 62nd and Fian Sweeney (DCH) in 72nd. In the U20 men’s race Fearghal Curtin (Youghal) was the best of the Irish in 22nd, followed by Craig McMeechan (North Down) in 37th, James Edgar (City of Lisburn) in 38th, Darragh McElhinney (Bantry) in 39th, Charlie O’Donovan (Leevale) 41st and Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock) 49th.