Athletics Ireland announce European Cross-Country team

Athletics Ireland has announced the Irish team to compete in the Spar European Cross Country Championships on December 10 in Legnano, Italy.

Alistair Craig and Gareth Turnbull have opted not to compete, but the team does contain medal hopes, not least for Mark Christie and Fionnula Britton who both won at the National Inter Counties meet in Dungarvan at the weekend.

Christie eased home ahead of the chasing pack with four seconds to spare on Sunday. It is yet to be confirmed whether the Mullingar Harriers runner will compete in the senior or the new U-23 level at the European, although if he competes in the latter then he has the quality to come home with a medal.

Britton is another athlete that could benefit from the new U-23 division. The DCU runner was also impressive as she took the senior women's title in Dungarvan with a winning margin of 45 seconds.