Fionnuala McCormack and Paul Pollock lead the Irish selection announced today (November 27) for the European Cross Country Championships.
Two-time European champion McCormack, who did not compete at the Irish National Cross Country Championships on Sunday (November 27) will make a record-breaking 15th appearance on December 10 in Samorin, Slovakia.
The 27 strong team includes Irish National Cross Country champions Paul Pollock and Shona Heaslip, plus familiar faces at the European Championships Kevin Dooney, Kerry O’Flaherty, Michelle Finn and Lizzie Lee.
“The European Cross Country championships are of critical importance to Irish endurance running,” said Athletics Ireland’s High Performance Director Paul McNamara.
“We have an outstanding tradition at ‘Euro Cross’ and we are certainly looking to build on that in the 2017 edition of the event. Athletes have been selected based on their preparedness to compete with the best in Europe and this team travels intent on adding to recent successes.”
Sean Tobin, who most recently finished 12th at the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships in the USA, will make a first-time appearance at senior level. Likewise will Hugh Armstrong, John Travers, Kevin Mansell and Fionnuala Ross.
Craig McMeechan, who was a surprise winner of a thrilling junior and U18 men’s race in Abbotstown on Sunday, is included in the U20 men’s team.
Full selection for senior, under-23 and under-20 can be found below.
Senior Men: Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders A.C.), Kevin Dooney (Raheny Shamrock A.C.), Hugh Armstrong (Ballina A.C.), John Travers (Donore Harriers A.C.), Sean Tobin (Clonmel A.C.) and Kevin Maunsell (Clonmel A.C.)
Senior Women: Shona Heaslip (An Riocht A.C.), Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle & District A.C.), Michelle Finn (Leevale A.C.), Lizzie Lee (Leevale A.C.), Fionnuala Ross (Armagh A.C) and Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole A.C.)
U23 Men: Tom O’Keeffe (Kilkenny City Harriers) and Eoin Strutt (Raheny Shamrock A.C.)
U23 Women: Bethanie Murray (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.)
U20 Men: Craig McMeechan (North Down A.C.), Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock A.C.), Charlie O’Donovan (Leevale A.C.), Fearghal Curtin (Youghal A.C.), James Edgar (City of Lisburn A.C.) and Darragh McElhinney (Bantry A.C.)
U20 Women: Laura Nicholson (Bandon A.C.), Stephanie Cotter (West Muskerry A.C.), Jodie McCann (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.), Fian Sweeney (Dublin City Harriers A.C.), Sophie Murphy (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) and Fiona Everard (Bandon A.C.)