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Irish Cross Country Team Set for Belgian World Cross Country Tour Event

ByEmma Porter |

The Belgian city of Hannut is gearing up for its World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting on Sunday (January 22nd), where a strong Irish team of 24 athletes will take the opportunity to gain experience of Belgium cross country conditions ahead of next year’s European Cross Country Championships which take place in Brussels on December 10th 2023.

The Irish team will face strong European opposition this weekend, including an international team from England alongside a quality domestic field.

Ireland has enjoyed remarkable medal-winning consistency at European Cross Country Championships in recent years, securing 12 medals over the last 3 editions, and are now looking to further build on those successes.

Speaking at the team announcement, Matt Lockett, Athletics Ireland National Endurance Coordinator, said: “We have had unprecedented Irish success over the past 3 editions of the European Cross Country Championships and we are eager to build on those performances. Providing an opportunity for athletes to extend their cross-country season beyond Christmas against high-class opposition will further aid development in advance of Brussels next December.”

Selections:
Athlete Club Coach Name Age group
Anna Gardiner East Down AC Peter Morgan u20
Avril Millerick Youghal AC Noel Curtin u20
Claragh Keane DMP AC Bashir Hussain u20
Louise O’Mahony B.M.O.H AC Donnacha O’Mahony u20
Róise Roberts North Belfast Harriers Jim Mc Guinness and Joe Ryan u20
Daniel Ryan Ellis Nenagh Olympic AC Sean Finn u20
Frank McGrath Lagan Valley AC Patrick McGrath u20
Jonas Stafford Ashford AC Feidhlim Kelly u20
Luke Purcell Nenagh Olympic Sean Finn u20
Niall Murphy Ennis Track Pat Hogan u20
Hannah Gilliland Annadale Striders Paul Lawther u23
Lucy Holmes West Waterford AC Ian O’Sullivan u23
Conall McClean St Malachy’s AC Mark Kirk u23
Liam Mulligan Drogheda and District A.C Ian O’Reilly u23
Paul Hartnett East Cork AC Liam O’Brien u23
William Fitzgerald Craughwell A.C Mark Davis u23
Fiona Everard Bandon AC Matt Lockett Senior
Fiona McKenna UCD AC Emmett Dunleavy Senior
Fionnuala Ross Armagh AC Senior
Lauren Tinkler Dublin City Harriers Enda Fitzpatrick Senior
Andrew Milligan North Belfast Harriers Jim McGuinness Senior
Emmet Jennings Dundrum South Dublin AC Donal Hennigan Senior
Finn McNally North Belfast Harriers Daniel Stepney Senior
Jamie Battle Mullingar AC Joe Ryan Senior

World Athletics Cross Country Tour Information: https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-cross-country-tour

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