Peter Mathews and Pauline Curley take Master's Titles

The Woodie's DIY AAI Master, Intermediate & Juvenile Development Cross Country Championships took place in Gransha, Derry on Sunday, 3rd of February. The rain withheld for the majority of the event however underfoot conditions became very heavy as the afternoons action unfolded.

The master men's race proved to be one of the highest quality races of the afternoon with many of Ireland top master athletes in action. The race saw a lead group of Peter Mathews (Dundrum South Dublin AC), Declan Reid (City of Derry AC), pre race favourite Ciaran Doherty (Letterkenny AC) and David Moorwood (Annadale striders AC) battle it out for the victory. Mathew's looked the most comfortable of the four and started to dictate the pace. Doherty started to struggle at this point and eventually faded back to finish in 9th place by the finish. Mathew's continued to pull away and impressively won the national title from Reid with Moorwood rounding out a classy podium finishing in third place.

Pauline Curley (Tullamore Harriers AC) was the emphatic winner of the master women's race. The defending champion won back to back title's demonstrating tremendous strength to coast to victory ahead of Mary Scully (Mullingar Harriers AC) and Collette Tuohy in third.

Christopher Johnston (Letterkenny AC) produced a magnificent performance to claim the Intermediate men's title held over a grueling 8,000m course. Johnston who represented Ireland at the European Cross Country Championships before Christmas showed his class as he strode to an emphatic victory over second place athlete Kevin Maunsell (Clonmel AC).

Maria O'Sullivan (Raheny Shamrock AC) was an impressive winner of the intermediate women's race. O'Sullivan finally delivered on the potential she has shown at underage athletics and claimed the national title with a controlled piece of front running. Dublin's Leona O'Reilly finished in second place ahead of the fast finishing Fionnuala Diver (Letterkenny AC) in third.