Ireland head for Euro Cross primed to continue prolific medal streak 

The best individual chance in Portugal comes in the men’s U-23 race where Nick Griggs will look to add to the astonishing five medals he's already amassed at the Euro Cross

READY TO ROLL: Nick Griggs of CNDR Track AC, Antrim, left, and race winner Brian Fay of Raheny Shamrock AC, Dublin, after the 123.ie National Cross Country Championships at Templemore Sports Complex in Derry last month. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

It’s seven years since the Irish returned from the European Cross Country Championships empty handed and given the strength of this year’s team, they’re highly likely to continue the medal streak in Lagoa, Portugal on Sunday.

The best individual chance is in the men’s U-23 race (5960m), which goes to the line at 11am Irish time. Nick Griggs is a week shy of his 21st birthday, but the Tyrone athlete has already amassed an astonishing five medals at the Euro Cross, winning individual U-20 silver and bronze before taking U-23 silver last year. In 2022, he led the Irish U-20s to team silver, while in 2023 he led them to gold.