Offaly duo set for European Cross Country Championships

Two Tullamore Harriers athletes have been selected to compete for Ireland in the European Cross Country Championships in December.

Danielle Donegan and Laois native Ava O'Connor, both members of Tullamore Harriers, are named in the U23 Women's team for the SPAR European Cross Country Championships which take place in Brussels on December 10.

Donegan led Ireland home in the U23 race year and is her selection comes on foot of her third place in the Irish Senior Women's Cross Country Championships at the weekend and her victory in the U23 competition.

Meannwhile, Brussels 2023 will mark Fionnuala McCormack’s 18th European Cross Country Championships where she will be joined on an experienced Irish senior women’s team by Eilish Flanagan (Finn Valley AC), Roisin Flanagan (Finn Valley AC), Mary Mulhare (Portlaoise AC), Fionnula Ross (Armagh AC), and recent national champion Fiona Everard (Bandon AC).

The senior men’s team includes newly crowned national cross country champion Cormac Dalton (Mullingar Harriers) who will be ably supported by Irish 5,000m record holder Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock), Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC), Keelan Kilrehill (Mov Valley AC), Fearghal Curtin (Youghal AC), and a resurgent Kevin Mulcaire (Ennis Track Club).

Speaking at the announcement, Athletics Ireland National Endurance Co-ordinator, Mark Kenneally said: "In my short time in the role it has been heartening to see the stellar work being put in by athletes and coaches to prepare for these championships. In recent years we have enjoyed great individual and team success, and this has raised expectations, both within the team and externally in the wider athletics and sporting community. This is, again, fantastic to see, and while the standard of distance running generally in Europe is on the rise, I am confident that our athletes are capable of rising to the challenge. Our athletes will be prepared to perform at their highest level, and I am certain this will ensure it will be a successful championships on December 10 in Brussels”.