Connolly pips Lombard in sprint finish

THE fact that AAI won’t be sending short course teams to the world cross-country championships in Brussels next month may have taken some of the gloss of yesterday’s championships at ALSAA, near Dublin Airport, but the keenness of the competition was reflected in sprint finishes to both the men’s and women’s races.

In the men's race Robert Connolly (DSD) bronze medallist at the European Under-23 championships last year outsprinted Cathal Lombard (Leevale) to take the title.

Aoife Byrne (DSD) and American-born Joelene Byrne (Donore) battled it out in the women's race with Aoife Byrne claiming victory by the closest margin.

Both women were timed at 13 mins 51 secs, with Pauline Curley (Tullamore Harriers) third.

Men (4,000m): 1, R. Connolly (DSD) 12:01; 2C. Lombard (Leevale) 12:03; 3, P. McNamara (Galway City Harriers) 12:13; 4, T. Druet (Sligo) 12:18; 5, C. McGee (Lucan) 12:29; 6, V. O'Sullivan (sli Cualann) 12:30. Teams: 1, Letterkenny 100 pts; 2, Raheny Sharock 105; 3, Annadale Striders 106.

Women (4,000m): 1, A. Byrne (DSD) 13:51; 2, J. Byrne (Donore Harriers) 13:51; 3, P. Curley (Tullamore Harriers) 14:06; 4, M. Prendeville (Riocht) 14:31; 5, L. Byrne (DSD) 14:37; 6, C. McCool (Finn Valley) 14:46. Teams: 1, Finn Valley 33 pts; 2, Dundrum South Dublin 47 pts; 3, Donore Harriers 58.