Ireland pin Euro hopes on new recruit Cragg

ALASTAIR CRAGG will be the focus of attention when he lines up for the European cross-country championships in Medulin, Croatia, tomorrow.

It will be the South African’s first appearance in an Irish singlet and, if he can reproduce his NCAA form he could finish quite close to the medals.

The 22 year-old Arkansas student - a 13:22 5,000m runner - was pipped for the NCAA title in Indiana by Jorge Torres of Colorado, who finished 11th in the short course race at the world cross-country championships in Leopardstown.