Britton bags Euro slot with fine win

THE icy weather conditions failed to deter some of Ireland’s top athletes from competing at the Woodie’s DIY cross country championships at Gransha Park in Derry yesterday.

The event had added significance with the first three in the senior and junior races securing automatic selection for Ireland’s team at next month’s European Cross Country championship in Portugal.

In the women’s senior race, Wicklow’s Fionnuala Britton led home the field in 27.44 from Elizabeth Lee of Cork and Siobhán O’Doherty of Borrisokane AC.

Becky Woods of Dublin was the first U23 home from Byrony Treston of Dublin and Laura Shaughnessy of Galway. The county event was won by Dublin with 26 points.

Joe Sweeney of Dublin captured the senior men’s title in 30.07 from Mark Christie of Mullingar Harriers and Brendan O’Neill of Dublin. O’Neill was the first U23 athlete from John Coghlan of Dublin and Michael Mulhare of Laois.

Dublin took the inter county prize from Cork and Donegal.

The star of the Junior Women’s race was Ciara Mageean of Antrim who won convincingly in 14:07 from Emma Mitchell (Banbridge AC) and Laura Behan (KCK AC of Waterford).

The junior men’s race was one of the most competitive races of the day. Victory went to Shane Quinn of Waterford in 18.39 from Emmet Jennings of Dublin and John Travers of Dublin.

Dublin took the county title with 184 points from Cork with 151.