Nick Griggs finally struck gold at the European Cross Country Championships, delivering a landmark victory for Ireland at Lagoa on Sunday and capping one of the most significant Irish team performances in the history of the event.
The Candour Track Club athlete produced a controlled and assured run in the U23 men’s race, pulling clear of France’s Aurélien Radja to win by 12 seconds and claim his first individual European title. Still only 20 years of age, this was Griggs’ fourth appearance at the championships, an extraordinary statistic in itself and a reminder of just how long he has been competing at this level.
The victory carried extra weight after the disappointment of last year’s championships in Antalya, where Griggs was narrowly denied gold by Britain’s Will Barnicoat. This time there was no late drama. Once Griggs moved to the front, he controlled the closing stages with authority.
The win marked the first individual gold medal ever won by an Irish male athlete in the 31 year history of the European Cross Country Championships.
U23 Men Secure Historic Team Gold
Griggs’ individual success was matched by a remarkable team effort, as Ireland claimed gold in the U23 men’s team competition for the first time.
Callum Morgan of Candour Track Club finished eighth, with Ennis Track AC’s Niall Murphy crossing the line in tenth. Their combined scoring delivered team gold for Ireland, adding another historic milestone to the weekend and underlining the depth now present in this age group.
It was a result that reflected careful progression rather than a one off performance, with Ireland’s U20/U23 men consistently competitive at the Euro Crossl in recent seasons.
Senior Men Break 31 year Medal Drought
Ireland’s medal rush did not end with the underage categories. The senior men’s team produced a superb collective performance to secure silver, ending a 31 year wait for an Irish team medal at senior level.
Mullingar Harriers’ Jack O’Leary led the charge with an outstanding fifth place finish, placing himself firmly among Europe’s elite cross country runners. He was followed home by Brian Fay of Raheny Shamrock AC and Mullingar Harriers’ Cormac Dalton, who finished together in tenth and eleventh.
That trio, supported by solid non scoring runs from Darragh McElhinney and Efrem Gidey, ensured Ireland finished second overall in the team standings, securing a first senior team medal of any colour since the early years of the championships.
Hickey takes U20 Bronze
There was also individual success in the U20 women’s race, where Wexford’s Emma Hickey of United Striders claimed bronze in a high quality field.
Hickey ran a composed race to finish third behind Britain’s Innes Fitzgerald, adding another podium finish to Ireland’s large medal tally.
Full Results
U20 Women
Emma Hickey - 3rd - 15:10 BRONZE
Anna Gardiner - 6th - 15:17
Lucy Foster - 56th - 16:12
Eimear Cooney - 78th - 16:43
Abby Smith - 79th - 16:43
Team Result - 6th - 65 points
U20 Mens
Noah Harris - 10th - 13:32
Cormac Dixon - 13th - 13:33
Caolan McFadden - 36th - 13:57
Finn Diver - 65th - 14:15
Tom Breslin - 67th - 14:15
Team Result - 5th - 59 points
U23 Women
Kirsty Maher - 11th - 20:57
Amy Greene - 20th - 21:15
Ava O'Connor - 25th - 21:24
Anika Thompson - 26th - 21:30
Rosie Roberts - 24th - 21:45
Team Result - 7th - 56 points
U23 Men
Nick Griggs - 1st - 17:47 GOLD
Callum Morgan - 8th - 18:12
Niall Murphy - 10th - 18:13
Jonas Stafford - 29th - 18:35
Lughaidh Mallon - 48th - 19:06
Team Result - 1st - 19 points GOLD
Mixed Relay
Eimear Maher - 4:03
Cian McPhillips - 4:11
Laura Nicholson - 4:48
Andrew Coscoran - 4:20
Team Result - 6th - 17:22
Senior Women
Fiona Everard - 10th - 25:54
Niamh Allen - 23rd - 26:15
Danielle Donegan - 36th - 26:42
Emily Haggard-Kearny - 44th - 27:06
Mary Mulhare - 50th - 27:25
Team Result - 8th - 69 points
Senior Men
Jack O'Leary - 5th - 22:25
Brian Fay - 10th - 22:51
Cormac Dalton - 11th - 22:51
Darragh McElhinney - 16th - 22:29
Efrem Gidey - 19th - 22:52
Team Result - 2nd - 26 points SILVER