O Lionáird hones form for Euros with sensational Stateside win

CIARÁN O LIONÁIRD feels that the Irish under-23s are ready to compete for the team gold medals at next month’s European Cross-Country Championships in Albufeira.

The Corkman, a final year student at Florida State University had a sensational victory in the South Regional Cross-Country in Birmingham, Alabama recently, where he beat several Kenyan athletes including Barnabas Kirui who ranks among the favourites for next Monday’s NCAAs.

In the process O Lionáird, who runs for Leevale AC back here, set a new pb for 10k at 30:03.34 and, after winning what is regarded as the toughest of the regionals, he will go to the NCAAs among the favourites.