ATHLETICS: Fourth Place Finish For Mary Cullen

Mary Cullen was in a confident and battling mood in the senior women's race. Well placed from the start she took the lead at an early stage and continued to dominate the pace. As the race progressed she faded a little, but continued to fight for the bronze medal. It was not to be however and she finished the race an excellent fourth, so very close to a cherished bronze medal. This was a brave and exciting run by the Sligo woman.

Martin Fagan was running his usual aggressive race at the head of the senior men's field until disaster struck about 4k into the race. Turning a sharp corner he fell, and even though he picked himself up quickly, he was a different runner, and the bite was gone from his challenge.

Irish cross country champion Linda Byrne was another to lead at an early stage. Competing in the under 23 contest she took on the field from the start but faded as the race progressed to finish a commendable 10th.

Behind her there was good movement by two of the Irish team. After one lap Roseanne Galligan was 34th and Ciara Durkin 44th. A lap later Durkin was 26th and Galligan 28th. After the third lap Galligan was 24th, one place ahead of Durkin, while at the finish Galligan was up to 21st and Durkin 23rd. The Irish team was a good fourth.

David McCarthy was well placed in tenth place during the early stages of the under 23 race. However, the effects of a hard American collegiate season took its toll and he faded back to finish 24th.

The junior women's race saw three top twenty placings by Irish runners, with Sara Treacy leading the way in 12th, Charlotte Ffrench O'Carroll 15th and Ciara Mageean 17th. Ireland finished fourth team.

Both Michael Mulhare and Craig Murphy were towards the head of the field in the early stages of the junior men's race, but lost ground as the race progressed, with Murphy finishing best in 19th.

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