Today’s European cross-country Championships in Lagoa, Portugal was an historic day for Ireland. Simply brilliant performances by all the Irish athletes, capped by Nick Griggs magnificent U/23 gold leading the Irish U/23 team to team gold. The senior men’s team took magnificent silver, the first team medals won by the senior men in quarter of a century. In the women’s U/20 race Emma Hickey took bronze complete a total of 4 medals for Ireland.
From a Clonliffe perspective Efrem Gidey ran a brilliant race in the senior men’s to take a top 20 position, 19th, his best performance at senior level in this championship. Such was the strength in depth of the Irish squad today that Efrem was the 5th Irish finisher. The team were led home in 5th place after a magnificent run by Jack O’Leary (Mullingar Harriers), Brian Fay (Raheny) was 10th, Cormac Dalton (Mullingar) 11th – these 2 separated on a photo finish – being the scoring 3, 16th Darragh McElhinney (Bantry AC) and Efrem in 19th position. All 5 Irish athlete in the top 20. Spain took gold with Ireland proudly taking silver.
In the U/20 men’s race Clonliffe’s Tom Breslin was 67th as the team finished in 5th place.
Nick Griggs (Candour) was simply majestic in the U/23 race, looking extremely relaxed and in control throughout, and winning at a canter finally take the top position on the podium at European cross-country Championships and lead the Irish team to gold.
What a day for Irish athletics! Fantastic stuff, and great also to see so many familiar Clonliffe faces across our TV screens. Enjoy tonight folks!
