Team Ireland produced some solid performances among tough competition at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade today. A team of eight athletes were selected earlier this month to wear the green bib and compete alongside the world's best.
First up was Anna Gardiner (East Down AC) who turned 18 on the day and Kirsty Maher (Moy Valley AC) who put in equally solid runs to finish inside the top 40 in the U20 Women’s 6k race. Gardiner crossed the line in 37th with a time of 21:58 while Maher was two places back in 39th in 22:10.
Next up it was the Men's turn when Harry Colbert (Waterford AC) and Seamus Robinson (City of Derry Spartans AC) toed the line in the U20 Men’s 8k race with Colbert securing 55th in 25:48 and Robinson coming home in 70th in 26:18.
Mayo were well represented in the Senior Men's 10k race which saw Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) take 50th place in 30:18 while Keelan Kilrehill (Moy Valley AC) finishing in 56th in 30:25.
Finally attention then turned to the Senior Women's 10k race. Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) who took the National Senior Cross Country title last year finished with a time of 36:35 to take 63rd. Danielle Donegan (Tullamore Harriers AC) was two places back in 65th in a time of 37:01.
All eight had to endure 27 degree heat along with a tricky course which included some technical hay bales in what was their debut appearance at the event.
The African team's contingent of Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda produced a hugely dominant display taking 26 out of a possible 27 medal positions with only the Great Britain team managing to squeeze on to the podium preventing a clean sweep.
Main image - Danielle Donegan in action for Ireland in 2022