Powerful Sweeney retains title

JOE SWEENEY strengthened his stranglehold on the domestic cross-country scene when he produced another powerful front-running display to retain his Woodies DIY inter-counties title at Sligo Racecourse yesterday.

The 6’4” Dubliner, who has put a long period of frustrating injury behind him, took control of the race from the gun. He led a leading group that also included former winner Andrew Ledwith (Meath) and the Laois brothers Dan and Michael Mulhare, clear of the field on the first lap. After that, only Ledwith, could offer any resistance when Sweeney turned the screw at the halfway point and even he wilted as he continued to apply the pressure.

Sweeney covered the 10k course in 32:07, 44 seconds ahead of Ledwith, with Paul Pollock from Annadale Striders third.