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National Cross Country Championship silver medallist Niamh Allen (Leevale AC) continued her rise to success and added a national title to her bow at the Dunboyne 10k on Sunday. Allen arguably produced the performance of the day to claim the women’s title by well over a minute from reigning national cross country champion Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny AC).

The 29-year-old crossed the line in 31:44, the fastest 10k run by an Irishwoman on Irish soil and goes third on the Irish all-time list behind Sonia O’Sullivan and Catherina McKiernan. Allen went out hard from the gun, putting a large gap between herself and the chasing pack of McGlynn and Ide Nic Dhomhnaill of West Limerick AC who eventually finished third in a time of 33:15.

Allen also led her club side to victory in the women’s team event, with Lizzie Lee and Hannah Steeds also making a big contribution to their six-minute combined time win with finishes under 35 minutes. Mullingar Harriers claimed silver, with a big run from Claire Fagan to secure their podium place. Dublin City Harriers were led home by Orla Duffy to claim third.

In the men’s race, David McGlynn (Waterford AC) led for the majority, putting a gap on the rest of the field from early on.

With 3k left to run Jack O’Leary (Mullingar Harriers) led the charge to get back on to McGlynn who seemed to be tiring after a hard solo effort. Last year’s second placer Pierre Murchan (Dublin City Harriers) couldn’t stick with O’Leary’s surge and drifted off the leading two. The Mullingar man ended up with a decisive victory, putting ten seconds between himself and McGlynn with around 800m left to run.

O’Leary crossed the finish in 29:15 punching the air as he claimed his first national senior title.

Two age group records also fell, with Colm Rooney (Clonliffe Harriers) finishing fourth and breaking the M40 mark, behind him in fifth Cillian Gleeson (Celbridge AC) was the first U20 athlete to cross the line.

John Travers led Donore Harriers to the men’s title finishing ninth and just missing the 30-minute mark by two seconds. CNDR Trackclub added a silver to their gold in the national cross country last year. Shane Spring led Raheny Shamrock to the bronze medal.

There was impressive depth on display in the men’s and women’s races, with eight men breaking the 30-minute barrier and 17 women returning home in under 35 minutes.

You can find the set of full results HERE.