Cross country team hit by triple withdrawal
Turnbull, who withdrew after finishing second in the national inter-clubs championship, will be replaced by Dubliner Alan McCormack.
Cullen has been forced out after aggravating an Achilles tendon injury when coming second in the Manchester Road Race last month.
The deadline for naming a replacement had passed when Cullen withdrew and Ireland will now be represented by a team of five.
“She is going to be a huge loss to us,” team manager, Anne Keenan-Buckley admitted.
“I know she is bitterly disappointed as she had been hoping that she might make it. She is superbly fit right now and she was looking forward to doing well in the race.”
Maria McCambridge is unhappy with her form and withdrew last week after below par performances in Tilburg and The Curragh. She has been replaced by former national champion, Rosemary Ryan (Bilboa).
Martin Fagan, who narrowly finished second in the Manchester Road Race in Rhode Island, is in top form at the moment and it would be no surprise if he came close to the medals in Toro.
He is preparing for the Houston Marathon in January when he will be bidding for Olympic qualification.
Hope of team medals rests with the U-23 men’s team which will be led by another Mullingar Harrier, Mark Christie. Andrew Ledwith, and Joe Sweeney have also returned to form at the right time.
Cathal Dennehy, first Irish junior home last year, was a revelation in the national inter-counties championships as was Dubliner Mick Clohisey, while Danny Darcy, who won a silver medal behind his team mate Colin Costello in the 1,500m at the European junior championships a few years ago, is another hitting form.
Meanwhile Mark Carroll did not finish the Fukuoka Marathon on Sunday when he was hoping to achieve the 2:15 qualifying standard for the Olympics.
The race was won by the world half marathon record holder, Samuel Wanjiru (Kenya) in a new course record of 2:06.39.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
