A magnificent run from Hiko Tonosa saw him finish in the silver medal position at the National Senior Cross Country Championships, at Rosapenna Golf Club, Donegal yesterday. Hiko was in the lead from the gun along with the pre race favourite Efrem Gidey and Darragh MElhinney.
Efrem seemed to lose a shoe after the first lap and dropped back, but displayed great courage to fight his way back to the lead group to finish a gallant 5th. Meanwhile Hiko and Darragh piled on the pace and broke away going into the last lap. A mighty surge from Hiko on the last hill, with 500m to go, seemed to settle the issue as he forged into a lead, however Darragh showed why he was the silver medallist in last year's European U.23 Championships, as he caught Hiko on the sprint into the finish for a magnificent victory that guaranteed both will be selected for the Irish Team at the European Championships.
Unfortunately Paul O'Donnell was absent from the D.S.D team as he raced in the American Collegiate finals on Saturday, which meant we did not figure in the medals (5th), despite very good running from Emmet Jennings in 12th place, Killian Mooney 30th, Robert Corbally 91st, Gavin & Michael.
Our women's team performed well also led home by Meghan Ryan 15th, Grace Lynch 17th, Fiona Clinton 25th, and the incredible Maria McCambridge 34th, (a former winner of this event), to finish 5th.
Our u.20 men's team were 3rd led home by Jamie Byrne 30th, with Eanna O'Bradaigh 38th, Sean Quinn 43rd and Andrew McGilton 49th.
Well done to all!
Report: Eddie McDonagh
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