Scenes of utter joy from the Irish team.
The Irish women’s team clinched a superb bronze medal at the European Cross Country Championships at La Mandria Park, in Italy, this afternoon.
Eilish and Roisin Flanagan, twin sisters from Tyrone, led the way – picking their way through the field together, and finishing in an identical time to finish 11th and 12th in the individual competition.
With Mary Mulhare finishing 27th, Ann Marie McGlynn 31st, Aoibhe Richardson 46th and Michelle Finn 55th, the combined results meant Ireland were in the mix for a medal. There was a tense, nervous wait but brilliant scenes when word filtered through they had finished third overall in the team competition.
Absolute scenes as Ireland take the bronze at the European Cross Country Championships in Italy @irishathletics
📺 Watch now on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer: https://t.co/b2OI4O7lx9 #RTESport pic.twitter.com/LFP4tZJxQ8
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 11, 2022
Elsewhere, in the underage categories at the European Cross Country Championships, there were more medals for Ireland.
Nick Griggs and Dean Casey both medalled in the U-20 race, taking silver and bronze, along with team silver. Griggs will still be crestfallen, though, having been pipped for gold at the finish line.
In the U23s, inspired by Efram Gidey finishing fourth, Ireland took home a team bronze.
