Euro Cross - Dublin 2009: Mens Irish Team highlights

Flotrack Ireland reports

Looking back on this years XC season we see how each of the team members came to make it on the team for this years Euro XC

Martin Fagan
After the disappointment of having to pull out of the New York Marathon due to injury Martin quickly bounced back with a win at the Boston Half Marathon in a time of 62.21. This was followed up by a sixth place in the Great South Run in Portsmouth. Most recently Martin was 4th in Manchester Road Race twenty seconds shy of his winning time last year.

Andrew Ledwith
Boston provided another good Irish performance here with his season debut Andrew was third and only three seconds shy of the winner in the Boston Mayors Cup. Andrew then followed this up with a return to Ireland to claim the National Inter Counties title in Kilbeggan where he dominated the race which also acted as the trial for the Euro’s.

Alistair Cragg
Keeping a very low profile this season his place on the team came to some people’s surprise. His only appearance this year was a fifth place finish in a low key 5k Road race in a time of 13.51.

Sean Connolly
After a stellar track season Sean was looking to continue this form and show he is reaching the potential seen at the juvenile and college levels. Early season injury led to a slow start to his season with 6th place finish in Gerry Farnan. His season then began picking up and was 1st Irish man in Mol, Belgium.He then went on to claim the Dublin Senior Title and followed this up with a 2nd place finish in Kilbeggan behind Ledwith to book his place on the team

Mark Keneally
Second in the Gerry Farnan, Mark followed this up with some consistent performances which included an 11th place in Burgos ahead of Mark Christie and a third place at National Seniors.

Mick Clohisey
Late call up after injury forced Mark Christie to pull out. Mick however won’t be out of his depth as his solid performances throughout the season have warranted his inclusion in the team and created a sense of injustice when he wasn’t named in the original six. 4th in the Gerry Farnan he then went on to 14th in Mol, 2nd in Dublin Seniors and 4th in the Nationals.