Carroll wins Mayor’s Cup

Mark Carroll returned to cross-country running at the weekend when he won the Mayor’s Cup in Franklin Park in Boston ­ an 8k race ­ in 23:53.

There are now hopes that he will compete in this year’s European championships in Germany.

“I entered this race, just hoping to have fun,” said Carroll, who despite representing Ireland at the Athens Olympics this summer has had to work through persistent injury all year.

Orla O’Mahony was fifth in the women’s race.